5 Most Successful McDonald’s Ads: Creative Power Behind a Legendary Brand

04/14/2025 Katrina Leung Optimize your media budgets

As one of the most recognizable fast-food brands in the world, McDonald’s has launched countless creative advertisements over the years. McDonald’s adverts are not just about selling food, they also represent emotional connections, cultural memories, and localized strategies. In Hong Kong, these ads have not only resonated deeply with the public but have also become part of the city’s culture. Below, we’ve selected 5 of the most successful McDonald ads to show how the brand uses creativity to win attention and hearts!

1. The Warm Legacy of Ronald McDonald House

Among all the McDonald’s ads, the most touching one is undoubtedly "Home Is Being Together". This short film, launched by Ronald McDonald House Charities Hong Kong, tells the heartfelt story of the younger brother of a seriously ill girl and their family. In the face of illness and helplessness, companionship becomes the most powerful form of healing.

Why did this McDonald’s ad reach over 2 million views on YouTube?

Authentic storytelling that evokes deep emotions
Unlike traditional product-driven ads, this McDonald’s ad focuses on family relationships and the theme of life. Through delicate storytelling, genuine acting, and a warm voiceover, it touches the softest parts of the viewer’s heart. The line “Children don’t fight alone” resonated widely and became a viral quote across social media.
Showcasing brand values and social responsibility
Unlike simple food advertisements, the Ronald McDonald House ad highlights the brand’s commitment to social good. It not only promotes the services of Ronald McDonald House but also emphasizes the importance of family support. This “brand + social cause” strategy enhances consumer trust and gives the McDonald’s ad a deeper emotional standing in viewers’ hearts.
Strong connection with the local Hong Kong context
The ad features a locally produced storyline, language, and cast, depicting the real situations Hong Kong families face when dealing with illness. This increased relatability and demonstrated the success of McDonald’s localization strategy. The ad was widely shared by local media and became one of the most talked-about McDonald’s ads of 2023.

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2. Happy Meal × Despicable Me 3 Crossover Campaign

In the summer of 2017, McDonald’s launched a crossover campaign with the hit animated film *Despicable Me 3*, sparking a Happy Meal frenzy. This McDonald’s ad used energetic visuals and the beloved Minions characters to capture children’s attention, while also appealing to parents through nostalgia and emotional connection.

What made this McDonald’s ad so successful?

Powerful IP collaboration boosted brand buzz
As one of the world’s most popular animated characters at the time, the Minions had a massive fanbase. This latest McDonald’s ad timed the collaboration perfectly with the movie’s release, drawing in both kids and nostalgic parents—a smart “two birds, one stone” strategy. In Hong Kong, the limited-edition toys even became collector’s items. Many parents visited different branches daily to complete the set, unintentionally increasing brand loyalty and in-store traffic.
Fast-paced, vibrant visuals with strong appeal
This McDonald’s ad packed its message into a 30-second burst, showcasing the toy series and cheerful dining scenes. The ad’s animated style and upbeat music instantly drew viewers into the world of the characters. This “characters invade everyday life” approach wasn’t just about selling a product—it created a fantasy experience and storytelling moment.

3. McDonald’s × Mirror Keung To Ad: The Power of Idol Economy

In 2021, McDonald’s partnered with Keung To, a member of the wildly popular Hong Kong boy band Mirror, to launch a limited-time meal and advertising campaign. This wasn’t just the latest McDonald’s ad—it was a cultural phenomenon. The crossover perfectly merged celebrity influence with brand marketing, successfully capturing the attention of Gen Z consumers.

Why did this McDonald’s ad go viral?

Maximizing the Idol Economy
At the time, Keung To was arguably “Hong Kong’s most popular man” in 2021. By making him the face of the McDonald’s ad, the brand didn’t just ride the wave of popularity—it became "visible" to a younger audience. The ad showcased Keung To’s customized meal combo and encouraged users to order via the McDonald’s app, which led to a surge in downloads. Many outlets in Hong Kong saw long queues for his meal, and fans even began collecting the meal boxes. These fan-driven social media posts triggered a second wave of publicity, amplifying the campaign’s reach.
Music video-style narrative and aesthetic
This McDonald’s ad had all the stylings of a music video—featuring Keung To in settings like a conference room, basketball court, and dining scenes, paired with upbeat music and sleek cinematography. It aligned perfectly with his idol persona. Rather than a standard endorsement, it blended the brand and celebrity into one unified image. The result was an ad with entertainment value that fans were eager to watch—again and again. This made it one of the rare cases where the ad itself was a piece of content worth seeking out.
A successful rebranding toward youth
Historically, McDonald’s ads in Hong Kong leaned toward family values and social care. This campaign, however, shifted focus toward youth culture through idol marketing, digital interaction, and community engagement. It redefined the brand as more than a childhood memory—it became part of the modern lifestyle of young people. The campaign also promoted app-based ordering for the exclusive meal, encouraging digital transformation and forming new consumer habits by moving from in-store experiences to online engagement.

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4. McSafe Drive: McDonald’s Safe Driving Campaign

In the Czech Republic, McDonald’s teamed up with creative agency DDB Prague to launch a series of traffic safety-themed print McDonald’s ads in 2020 titled “McSafe Drive.” This became one of the brand’s most stylish and socially conscious creative campaigns in recent years. Using charming and highly recognizable visuals, the campaign reminded drivers: even when you're hungry, drive safely.

Why was this McDonald’s ad so well received?

High brand recognition—even without the full logo
This series didn’t feature any burgers or fries. Instead, it cleverly incorporated McDonald’s iconic Golden Arches—some complete, some partial—outfitted with seatbelt buckles or made to resemble speedometer needles and headlights. Using McDonald’s signature red background, the visuals delivered a message that was instantly recognizable and understandable without any explanation. Though the images were minimal, viewers could immediately connect them with McDonald’s ad aesthetics, reinforcing the central message: “Hunger isn’t a reason to speed.”
A creative way to communicate brand responsibility and public messaging
Unlike a typical promotional McDonald’s ad focused on “buy one get one free” or new menu items, this campaign shifted attention to road safety. With a gentle reminder that “even when hungry, don’t rush—drive safe,” the ads demonstrated McDonald’s commitment to public wellbeing. This positioned the brand not only as a fast-food giant, but also as a socially responsible global player.
A Czech campaign with global relevance
Although created for the Czech market, the visual language and core message are universally applicable. This latest McDonald’s ad series could easily be adapted for other regions (including Hong Kong), particularly as outdoor posters, bus shelter displays, or parking lot ads—offering a perfect mix of education and creativity.

5. McDonald’s Hong Kong “C.A.R.E” Campaign: A Model of Community Support During the Pandemic

In early 2020, McDonald’s Hong Kong launched a corporate social responsibility initiative in response to the COVID-19 pandemic called “C.A.R.E.” The acronym stands for Concern, Assurance, Relation, and Elevation—each phase targeted different audiences and needs, showcasing how McDonald’s advertising delivered both innovation and empathy during the crisis.

Phase 1: Concern
To boost staff morale, McDonald’s distributed “Employee Care Packages” to all 15,000 employees across Hong Kong. These included disinfectant wipes, food vouchers for family members, and a handwritten letter from Managing Director Randy Lai, expressing care and encouragement to the team.
Phase 2: Assurance
To reassure customers, McDonald’s posted hygiene procedure notices in all stores, required employees to wear badges stating they wash their hands every hour, and included motivational stickers on takeaway bags—underscoring the brand’s commitment to food safety and cleanliness.
Phase 3: Relation
Through TV commercials and social media, McDonald’s promoted handwashing habits among children and parents, linking family hygiene practices with the brand identity. This phase encouraged parent-child bonding while strengthening emotional ties between families and the brand.
Phase 4: Elevation
McDonald’s donated 90,000 thank-you cards and over HK$9 million worth of free product coupons to frontline healthcare workers and hospital support staff, recognizing their dedication during the pandemic.

Why was this McDonald’s ad so impactful?

Comprehensive care strategy: From internal staff to external customers and community healthcare workers, McDonald’s demonstrated holistic care, strengthening its image as a socially responsible brand.
Swift response and clear communication: Through a multichannel approach, McDonald’s quickly conveyed its support and concern during the pandemic, reinforcing customer trust.
Deepened brand values: Through tangible action, McDonald’s gave real meaning to its brand value of “caring for the community,” strengthening its bond with the public.

Sources:

https://muse.world/mcdonalds-wants-you-to-mcdrive-safely-in-this-road-safety-campaign/

https://www.marketing-interactive.com/mcdonald%E2%80%99s-hong-kong-launches-phase-four-of-its-c-a-r-e-coronavirus-response-campaign