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Macca’s not lovin it

Posted in Advertising, Marketing, Latest reporters' blogs, Russell Parsons October 9th, 2008 by Russell Parsons

Liverpool has always been to ready to display its cultural history throughout the city, never more so than in the past year as it held the title of European City of Culture.

Central to the city’s musical past are of course those loveable moptops The Beatles whose images and legacy can be seen across the city from Matthew Street, home of the Cavern Club to Menlove Avenue, childhood home of John Lennon.

And now, McDonalds are displaying images of the “four lads that shook the world” at a Liverpool restaurant much to chagrin of Sir Paul McCartney – a committed vegetarian – who is reportedly furious about his image being used to “peddle” burgers.

MacDonald’s say the pictures are to “acknowledge the outstanding contribution” the Fab Four made to local and global culture.

Casting aside the inappropriateness of displaying images of veggies – Ringo Starr and the late George Harrison also shunned meat -  in a restaurant not known for its nut roasts, MacDonald’s is just the latest in a long line of Liverpool eateries to use the Beatles “brand” to flog their wares.

I recall a visit to Liverpool in the nineties were I sat down to enjoy a “Sergeant Pepper Steak Burger” (or something as preposterously tenuous).

Sir Paul’s response was predictable and understandable, Macdonald’s reaction equally so. However, the latter is doing no more than many other lower profile marketers have done before.

Maybe Macdonald’s Liverpool could further push the association by offering a limited edition “Big Mac in the USSR” or “Get Big Mac” in its Liverpool branches.