How McDonald’s France is welcoming Olympic visitors to Paris—in any language

Foodies, globetrotters and general McDonald’s fans know all too well that McDonald’s locations have different local menu items around the world. However, less widely known is that in each area of the globe, the world’s largest restaurant also goes by a different nickname. That’s why a new campaign from DDB Paris, launched as people travel to France for the Olympics, highlights those various nicknames from around the world. A campaign hero film (above), shot by Bradley & Pablo, shows the universality and wide scale of the brand, as people try to overcome language barriers with one another as they ask each other for directions to the local McDonald’s. Also read: McDonald’s eaters are chased down for their burgers in wild new spot from France “Welcome as You Are,” a play on the brand’s France tagline “Come as You Are,” hears people from different background call McDonald’s: McDo, Mickey D’s, Mequi, Makudo, Mecces and Makka. Of course, the universal phrase that allows everyone to overcome language barriers is “Big Mac,” which is understood by people everywhere. In addition to the campaign film, OOH and digital ads deployed in 10 languages depict descriptions and names of menu items in different languages. Spoiler alert: McNuggets are still McNuggets everywhere. McDonald’s France will also explain the French menu in various languages using AI tool HeyGen. Additionally, in restaurants, McDonald’s crew members will wear “Welcome as You Are” messages on their T-shirts, caps and badges in more than 26 languages. The campaign will run across France until Sept. 2. More Creativity coverage from Ad Age: Sign up for our daily Creativity newsletter to see the best stories of the day.

How McDonald’s France is welcoming Olympic visitors to Paris—in any language

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