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The internet’s not lovin’ it: Why Macca’s CEO’s taste-test video backfired

McDonald’s CEO’s awkward Big Arch burger taste-test video has gone viral, highlighting how misaligned messaging and the wrong spokesperson can backfire for brands.
mcdonald's CEO big arch burger
Screengrabs from the Instagram video posted by McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski. Image: Instagram/chrisk_mcd

A taste-testing video should be an easy win for a fast-food brand. In the scheme of brand marketing, it feels relatively low-stakes to sit someone in front of a camera, have them try your food, and whet the audience’s appetite.

But last month, McDonald’s showed how quickly a light-hearted concept can unravel when the wrong person is in front of the camera.

In a video on social media, McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski delivered what felt like a parody of himself sampling the new Big Arch Burger for the first time.

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