McDonald's® and Justin Timberlake Team Up for U.S. and European Concert Tour

As part of McDonald's multi-dimensional global relationship with superstar Justin Timberlake, the company announced today its sponsorship of the "McDonald's Presents Justin Timberlake lovin' it live" concert tours. The tours tie to McDonald's new worldwide marketing campaign "i'm lovin' it," which launched in more than 100 countries last month, and kick off in the U.S. next week with five nightclub concerts. The 19-city 2003/2004 European tour, "McDonald's presents Justin Timberlake Justified World Tour and lovin' it live" begins in November and wraps up in Spain in January 2004.

"I love what McDonald's is doing with this new campaign and it's cool to be part of it," said Timberlake. "We share the same crowd -- people who like to have fun -- and that's what this new partnership is all about."

Timberlake recorded a song called "I'm Lovin' It," which was produced by the Neptunes and released by Jive Records in August. He will perform it in a medley on the tours.

As part of the fun and surprise of McDonald's "i'm lovin' it" campaign, Timberlake will make unique appearances in select markets in both the US and Europe, from the Street Baller Expo in Washington, D.C to special celebration and kick-off activities in European cities. In addition, he will meet with McDonald's crew and managers who have supported the launch of "i'm lovin' it" in their local restaurants. Timberlake will also participate in various activities to support Ronald McDonald House Charities®, World Children's Day™ at McDonald's on November 20th, and McDonald's global sports sponsorships such as the Olympic Games.

"By appearing in our new commercials and singing our new theme line, Justin has already been seen and heard around the world as an exciting part of our new brand campaign," said Larry Light, McDonald's Executive Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer. "Our partnership will continue to evolve with dynamic surprises that will help connect McDonald's to the world of young adults through music, entertainment, fashion and sports."

U.S. Tour

The U.S tour, "McDonald's Presents Justin Timberlake lovin' it live", includes five exclusive concerts staged in intimate club settings in October 2003. The tour will visit Washington, DC (October 13); Norfolk, Virginia (October 14); Cleveland, Ohio (October 16); Detroit, Michigan (October 17); and Timberlake's hometown of Memphis, Tennessee on October 19.

European Tour

The 19-city 2003/2004 European tour, "McDonald's presents Justin Timberlake Justified World Tour and lovin' it live" will kick off this November in Germany. The tour will end in January with a club performance in Spain. In addition, McDonald's will also sponsor four Web casts scheduled in Italy, Ireland, England and Holland.

Justin Timberlake became an international superstar well before his 21st birthday. As one fifth of the multi-platinum group *NSYNC, he's responsible for the monster hits "Pop," "Gone" and "Girlfriend," among others, and has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. He first partnered with McDonald's during his time with *NSYNC. As a gifted solo artist, he has released the multi-platinum and Grammy-nominated CD Justified and has produced hit single after hit single including "Like I Love You," "Rock Your Body" and "Cry Me A River."

McDonald's is the world's leading food service retailer with more than 30,000 local McDonald's restaurants serving 47 million customers each day in more than 100 countries. More than 80 percent of McDonald's restaurants around the world are owned and operated by independent, local businessmen and women.

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SOURCE: McDonald's Corporation

CONTACT: Media, Lisa Howard, +1-630-623-5044 or Heather Oldani,
+1-630-623-8150, both of McDonald's; or Sonia Muckle of Jive Records
+1-212-824-1370