Day 046 - 04 Nov 94 - Page 43

     
     1        flashing sign, saying "Nutrients", I believe -- flashing
     2        lights; is that right?
     3        A.  It seems to me that -- my remembrance is that that
     4        might be correct.
     5
     6   Q.   Again, is the purpose of that to associate in children's
     7        minds McDonald's with nutritious food?
     8        A.  No.  The purpose of it was to talk to kids about what
     9        the basic food groups are.
    10
    11   Q.   Why use Ronald?
    12        A.  Why not?
    13
    14   Q.   Because it might confuse children?
    15        A.  I do not think it did.
    16
    17   Q.   When the depiction of protein says his piece -- before we
    18        go on to that, The Nutrients sing something along the lines
    19        of: "So you've got to get enough of the proper stuff" --
    20        after Ronald has said, "Growing up is tough" -- "You've got
         to get enough of the proper stuff."  I think it says: "Find
    22        vitamins and minerals", and then they say, "You ought to
    23        get these nutrients every day."  Is that right; does that
    24        sound about right?
    25        A.  It sounds correct but, obviously, at the appointed time
    26        you can watch the commercial and see exactly what it says.
    27        But I will take your word for it.
    28
    29   Q.   Immediately after that, there is this depiction of protein,
    30        who sings:  "You need a lot of me to keep you growing,
    31        don't you see?"  Do you remember that?
    32        A.  As I said, I rely on your correct representation of the
    33        commercial.
    34
    35   Q.   Okay.  Is it right that, as he is singing that, he is
    36        banging a large drum which has "McDonald's" on the side of
    37        it?
    38        A.  If he is banging a large drum with "McDonald's" on the
    39        side, then he is a banging a large drum with "McDonald's"
    40        on the side.
    41
    42   Q.   Might that not suggest to children that it would be a good
    43        idea if they went to McDonald's every day and then they
    44        would be getting healthy food that they need for their
    45        body?
    46        A.  I think you are reading into this much more than both a
    47        child would read into it or, certainly, we read into it.
    48
    49   Q.   If you are claiming that you were not reading these things
    50        into it, or designing this advertisement for that purpose, 
    51        as I say, why have Ronald in it at all?  If you just wanted 
    52        to help children, why not just have, I do not know, 
    53        anybody?
    54        A.  Because children like to learn things from Ronald.
    55
    56   Q.   Why have a drum with "McDonald's" on the side of it?
    57        A.  Because it is a fun part of the commercial.
    58
    59   Q.   You are trying to associate McDonald's with healthy food in
    60        the minds of children, are you not?