McDonald’s Shakes It Up in Chicago on St. Paddy’s Day

Here’s McDonald’s way of taking credit for the greening of the Chicago River on St. Patrick’s Day.

A dye job? No way. The green comes from McDonald’s Shamrock Shake.

Attention getting? Creative? You bet. I’m lovin’ it.

Photo credit: siyafrica on Flickr

St. Paddy’s Day = Powerful Brand

Supporting China and Ireland Beijing 2008

 

Originally uploaded by Bruce in Beijing

 

Happy belated St. Paddy’s Day, everyone.

 

No green beer this year for this brand blogger… but I hope you enjoyed one.

Has any other saint’s day been better branded than this one? I don’t think so. We’re talking about brand recognition at a level that would send brand managers over the moon and back. Oh, and the moon is green on St. Paddy’s Day, didn’t you know?

This is a brand that touches people in countries worldwide, including China. I understand the place to go in Shanghai is O’Malley’s Irish Pub.

We’re talking about one inclusive brand here… and a valued asset for Ireland. It’s no wonder that Ireland has capitalized on the day to promote itself as a tourist destination. St. Paddy’s Day offers the country a global platform like no other. Ireland itself has some issues as a country brand, but that’s another post for another day.

In any case, this is a brand with a mythology around it… it draws people in. People are passionate about it… they want to experience it… they want to be part of it. And it’s so easy to be part of the celebration. You wear green, you frolic, you wear dumb shamrock hats, etc.

A powerful brand is clear, instantly recognizable, stirs emotions and is built around a few select and simple core ideas.

St. Paddy’s Day = Powerful Brand.