McDonalds & Subliminal Messaging

[Enchanted Tiki Bird]

I have a hate on for McDonalds any way but I just watched something on YouTube that disgusted me. In this say and age, McDonalds is choosing subliminal messaging as a form of advertising. While nothing they do surprises me, it still makes me wonder. In a society filled with advertisements of every form (you can't walk down the street without being bombarded), is it really necessary to sneak in advertisements that people don't even know about?

The video that I'm refering to can be viewed here, for those who would like to see it. The subliminal message was discovered by playing an episode of Iron Chef America in slow motion, frame-by-frame.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

 

[SwedishMeatball]

I panicked about 10 seconds into the viewing and had to stop. Just tell me now if I need to pee first.

 

[Jestocost]

That's weird. I have a Ronald McDonald Silly Songs tape that when played backwards gives you instructions for making their secret sauce at home. Maybe it's part of the same campaign?

 

[PattnFmly]

Maybe it was just an editing blip, like the whole commercial was there but when broadcast they omitted the commercial, except for that frame?

 

[ChristmasElf]

Sometimes (especially in the mornings) one of the local channels here will accidently cut away for a second and there will be a snippet of something else-but just for a second or 2. You can tell that the station didn't intend for it to happen, just someone asleep at the switch.

Maybe that is all this was.

 

[cardaway]

What's with the stuff that was happening at the bottom of the frame? It almost looked like a box if fries under the frame during the whole thing.

And if it's legit, I don't think there is much anybody can do. I also don't know if it would really work.

 

[maddhatir]

I am so gullible and braindead --

I was told to play my CDs backwards (is that even possible?) and I am now worshiping the devil.......and NOW THIS!!!?

Will the brainwashing never end!?

 

[disneymom3]

Looks to me like someone in the booth screwed up and started an ad when they weren't supposed to.

 

[Jestocost]

FWIW, the late 1950's study that supposedly proved the power of subliminal advertising was proven to be a complete fraud and no subsequent research has demonstrated that such advertising has any impact at all. Based on the durability of that myth and some hysteria surrounding it, the FCC in 1974 banned licensed TV and radio stations from knowingly broadcasting programming containing subliminal messages of any nature. While broadcasters are not expected to screen ads or programs for subliminal messages, they are expected to stop airing them as soon as they become aware of their existence.

No clue where cable and satellite programming fits into that from a legal standpoint.

Regardless, McDonald's is a savvy enough marketer to know that subliminal advertising is complete bunk and FoodTV probably wouldn't risk going against the law. That'w why I vote for it being a mistake of some kind. There are about 1,000 ways it could have happened.

 

[disneymom3]

I panicked about 10 seconds into the viewing and had to stop. Just tell me now if I need to pee first.

Don't be scared Sherry. No scary screaming guys jump out at you!

As for playing the CD backwards Very clever.

OP, were you serious?

 

[Laz]

I am so gullible and braindead --

I was told to play my CDs backwards (is that even possible?) and I am now worshiping the devil.......and NOW THIS!!!?

Will the brainwashing never end!?

"Turn me on deadman. Turn me on Deadman."

 

[Pig Pen]

I'm hungry.

 

[Laz]

As a former University instructor of Marketing, I can tell you that this type of advertising has been around since the 50s when a New Jersey Movie theater flased "Eat Pocorn, Drink Coca Cola" on its screen so fast that no one could see it.

Most marketers will tell you it does not work. You can not make someone buy something they don't want or need. Marketers will tell you they have better results placing brand name products in shows and making sure the stars use that product. For example, watch Idol tonight and look at the cups in front of Simon and the others.

 

[teacups]

Forget about McDonalds! Look at that picture of Mr. Depp a few messages back! Shower with a pirate? And you are still thinking about McDonalds?


OK. I'll try to look at the Iron Chef thing now...

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

U.N.B.E.L.I.E.V.A.B.L.E!

I'm not sure I would have picked up on it if I didn't know what I was looking for. It really does have to make you wonder what we're being exposed to without our consent and knowledge.

Isn't subliminal advertising illegal? Is the Food Network allowing this?!

 

[teacups]

Ok, so I cant tell you a specific date or episode... but I know we were watching one day within the past month and Mario Battali was on. There was SOMETHING McDonalds related. I cant recall now if it was a Tshirt or something on a table, but hubby and I actually said, "Why would a Chef have something to do with McDonalds?" Maybe it was this episode in question... but seems like I dont normally have the focus or attention span to catch something that quick.

 

[Enchanted Tiki Bird]

but hubby and I actually said, "Why would a Chef have something to do with McDonalds?"

I also thought that it was pretty interesting that the "Food" Network would have McDonalds advertising.

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

Is anyone else having an insane craving for a Big Mac right now?

 

[cardaway]

Is anyone else having an insane craving for a Big Mac right now?

I want fries, lots of them.