McDonald's® Announces New Agency to Lead Global Digital Marketing Initiative
AKQA Named as McDonald's Global Digital Marketing Agency
PRNewswire-FirstCall
OAK BROOK, Ill.
Nov 2, 2006
McDonald's Corp. (NYSE: MCD) announced today that AKQA, a leading interactive marketing agency, is joining its marketing roster to help lead McDonald's global digital marketing initiatives. A recognized pioneer and innovator in online marketing, AKQA was recently named "Interactive Agency of the Year" in the U.S. by AdAge's Creativity Magazine and by Revolution Awards in the U.K., based on its work for major global brands such as Coca-Cola, Nike, Microsoft and Visa.
"We are pleased to partner with AKQA to develop a global digital marketing strategy to further strengthen the McDonald's brand online and throughout our more than 30,000 restaurants around the world," said Mary Dillon, McDonald's Global Chief Marketing Officer. "We expect this partnership to lead to new relevant consumer-driven innovations across all digital media. AKQA will work closely with our outstanding network of local digital agencies around the world."
"McDonald's has a compelling, exciting vision for its brand," said Tom Bedecarre, AKQA's Chief Executive Officer. "Our team is delighted to partner with McDonald's globally to deliver engaging experiences that embrace digital media and new technology."
Ajaz Ahmed, AKQA's Chairman, added, "This is an exciting relationship with innovation at its core. Our goal is to create groundbreaking ideas and experiences."
About McDonald's
McDonald's is the leading foodservice retailer with more than 30,000 local restaurants serving quality food to nearly 50 million customers in more than 100 countries each day. Approximately 70 percent of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent, local men and women.
About AKQA
AKQA is the leading independent digital marketing agency with more than 475 employees in six locations: San Francisco, New York, Washington, D.C., London, Singapore and its newest office in Shanghai. AKQA provides digital strategy, creative and technology solutions to the world's leading marketers, including Coca-Cola, Diageo, Microsoft, Nike and Unilever. More information can be found at http://www.akqa.com/ .
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: katie.hayes@us.mcd.com
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SOURCE: McDonald's Corp.
CONTACT: Michon Ellis of McDonald's Corporation, +1-630-623-4061,
michon.ellis@us.mcd.com , or Molly Parsley of AKQA, +011-44-207-780-4769,
molly.parsley@akqa.com