McDonald's has just launched a new global campaign to celebrate the return of a beloved item — the Collector's Cup.
For a limited time only, the fast-food giant is giving customers the chance to own the cups, which feature the brand's most famous collectibles usually found in Happy Meals. This time, the Collector's Cup is available through its latest offering, the Collector's Meal.
Helmed by Wieden+Kennedy New York (WKNY), the campaign consists of a hero film with two shorter versions.
Customers in over 30 countries can receive one of the six colorful plastic cups with each meal, giving them the choice of a 10-piece McNugget or a Big Mac, along with fries and a drink.
A breakfast option with a sausage McMuffin, a hash brown, and a drink is also available. Meanwhile, customers in certain markets including Australia, Canada, and Portugal will be able to purchase special embossed glasses.
In a press release, McDonald's Global CMO and Head of New Business Ventures Morgan Flatley highlighted the nostalgia the cups bring, letting fans recall happy memories of the chain's most popular collectibles.
"These new collectible cups commemorate some of our most unforgettable designs and global collaborations over the years, allowing longtime fans to relive treasured moments and helping a new generation make their own lasting memories," Flatley added.
The cups will be available at McDonald's restaurants, drive-thrus, and on the app starting August 13. Fans can also use their new cups to enter special pop-ups appearing in New York and Los Angeles in the same week.
Cup Craze
Within less than a week of the campaign's launch, Collector's Cups have sold out in most locations across the U.S.
The shortage has prompted many fans to resort to buying cups on third party sites like eBay and Mercari, where resellers have listed them for sale from $15 to as high as $100.
🚨A message to McDonald's US fans🚨
— Guillaume Huin (@HuinGuillaume) August 16, 2024
The Collector Cups are literally flying off the shelves faster than anything we could have anticipated or have seen in the past.
Friendly advice : if you want them, go to your local restaurant as soon as you can. pic.twitter.com/mLsj0ocnqv
McDonald's Senior Marketing Director Guillaume Huin warned fans about a possible shortage in a post on X last Friday, urging them to get the cups as soon as possible.
So far, the company hasn't announced any plans for a restock.
Collect Them All
In the hero spot titled "The Great Cup Odyssey," gigantic versions of McDonald's Happy Meal toys from the past begin appearing all over the world.
Giant versions of McDonald's most popular character toys and merch travel vast distances to come together. "Your favorite McDonald's collectibles are now on collectible cups," the narrator states.
The spot ends with a shot of six collectible cups inspired by different eras, featuring iconic properties that include Snoopy, Hello Kitty, Barbie, Hot Wheels, Beanie Babies, Shrek, Jurassic Park, and the Coca-Cola polar bear.
McDonald's commissioned several artists to design the cups, including former crew member Oscar Bastidas, who illustrated the Barbie and Beanie Babies-themed cups.
McDonald's has a surefire hit with this massive brand partnership. With so many iconic brands and characters on its roster, the cups are sure to appeal to many fans and collectors.
Nostalgia has been a huge part of McDonald's marketing campaigns as of late.
To celebrate the brand's 50th year in the U.K., McDonald's launched a campaign inspired by iconic art and branding from the restaurant's history.
Editing by Katherine 'Makkie' Maclang
