Looking Back at McDonald’s 1984 ‘What You Want Is What You Get’ Campaign: A Timeless Example of Effective Advertising
I wanted to share a story of a successful and effective campaign that McDonald’s launched back in 1984. It was a marketing campaign that has become a case study in the world of advertising.
McDonald’s hired a new advertising agency called Needham, Harper & Steers to create a campaign to promote their new line of hamburgers, the Quarter Pounder with Cheese. The agency came up with the tagline “What You Want Is What You Get” and launched a series of television commercials featuring customers ordering their burgers with specific customizations, such as “Hold the pickles, hold the lettuce, special orders don’t upset us.”
The campaign was a massive success, and the tagline became a cultural phenomenon. The commercials resonated with customers, and they began to associate McDonald’s with the idea of getting what they wanted. The campaign increased McDonald’s sales and helped solidify its position as a leader in the fast-food industry.
What made this campaign so effective was its simplicity and relatability. The tagline was easy to remember, and the commercials showcased everyday people enjoying their burgers with personalized customizations. It tapped into a fundamental human desire to feel heard and seen, which is something that many customers want from their fast-food experience.
Overall, McDonald’s “What You Want Is What You Get” campaign was a shining example of effective advertising. It successfully communicated the brand’s message and values to its customers, resulting in increased sales and brand loyalty. It is still referenced today as an iconic and successful campaign, and a lesson in how simplicity and relatability can be powerful tools in advertising.
Thank you for reading, and follow me to learn from successful marketing campaigns such as this one.
