House of Blues® Hooks Up with the Big Mac® for First-Ever 'Are You Mac Enough?™' Concert Promotion

House of Blues®, the definitive live music brand, is teaming with McDonald's® Big Mac® to kick off a three-week sweepstakes (April 12-May 2) starting with two launch concert events. Together, the first-ever partners are bringing the ultimate in music and fast food to unveil the Big Mac "Are You MAC Enough?™" sweepstakes.

Reigning Brooklyn rapper Fabolous, will perform tracks from his recently released third album, Real Talk on Atlanta Records at the Chicago kick-off tonight. On April 12, the momentum continues at the Los Angeles House of Blues with the hip-hop, Latin infused sounds of Grammy award-winning Ozomatli, playing from their latest album entitled Street Signs on Concord Records.

"House of Blues fits perfectly with Big Mac and relates to our customers," said Douglas Freeland, director of Brand/Entertainment Strategy McDonald's U.S. Marketing. "Much like rap and rock music, the Big Mac "Are You MAC Enough?" sweepstakes is energetic, far reaching and about individuality."

"Music is a powerful tool to reach people," said Fabolous. "The "Are You MAC Enough?" sweepstakes gives us a great opportunity to blend our style of music with this promotion."

During the sweepstakes (April 12-May 2, 2005), a MAC code will be featured on Big Mac sandwich packaging at McDonald's while supplies last. Customers can enter the code online at http://www.playatmcd.com/ * or via text message for a chance to win the Big Mac "Are You MAC Enough?" Grand Prize -- tickets, to attend 10 concerts, with a guest, at any House of Blues location in the U.S. from July 2005 -- July 2006. The Grand Prize winner chooses the concerts to attend, and air, transportation and accommodations are included.

Ten additional winners will receive a select number of concert tickets to be used throughout the year in the winner's regional area. Winners will be notified following the sweepstakes. See the Official Rules at participating McDonald's restaurants or online http://www.playatmcd.com/ .

"The Big Mac "Are You MAC Enough?" sweepstakes is one of the most extensive promotions ever hosted at House of Blues," said Paul Sewell, Senior Vice President Sponsorship, House of Blues Entertainment, Inc. "We are excited to work with McDonald's on such a groundbreaking project guaranteed to touch such a large number of our music-loving guests."

About HOB Entertainment, Inc.

HOB Entertainment, Inc., a Los Angeles-based global entertainment company, is the definitive live music brand. Founded in 1992, this dynamic company with soul, spirit and vision is comprised of several unique businesses, including:

   -- House of Blues Clubs, which operate 1,000 - 2,000 capacity venues
      located in New Orleans, Los Angeles, Chicago, Myrtle Beach, Orlando,
      Las Vegas, Anaheim and Cleveland.
   -- House of Blues Concerts, Inc., which owns, operates or exclusively
      books 19 arena and amphitheatre venues throughout North America,
      including Los Angeles, San Diego, Denver, Dallas, Seattle (The Gorge),
      Atlanta, Cleveland, Toronto and Vancouver.
   -- House of Blues - IT IS LIVE! ™  http://www.hob.com/

  About McDonald's

McDonald's is the leading global foodservice retailer with more than 30,000 local restaurants serving nearly 50 million people in more than 119 countries each day. Approximately 70 percent of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent, local businessmen and women. Please visit http://www.mcdonalds.com/ for more information.

  * Web site with complete rules goes active April 12, 2005.

  Contact information:
  Michon Ellis
  McDonald's Corporation
  (630) 623-4061

  Sarah Skertich
  GolinHarris
  (312) 729-4184

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990916/MCDLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

SOURCE: McDonald's Corporation

CONTACT: Michon Ellis of McDonald's Corporation, +1-630-623-4061, or
Sarah Skertich of GolinHarris, +1-312-729-4184

Web site: http://www.playatmcd.com/
http://www.hob.com/
http://www.mcdonalds.com/