McDonald’s taps the Harlem Globetrotters to dunk new Korean Sticky BBQ range in latest campaign via Wieden+Kennedy Sydney
McDonald’s Australia and Wieden+Kennedy Sydney have launched a new campaign to introduce its Dunked Korean Sticky BBQ range, enlisting the legendary Harlem Globetrotters to bring some serious flair to the rollout. Known as the world’s most iconic trick-shot dunkers, the Globetrotters step into Macca’s kitchens across Australia and New Zealand to show there’s no such thing as too much sauce, elevating the art of the dunk with their signature style.
The fan truth driving the work is one that Macca’s fans know and love: there’s no such thing as too much Macca’s sauce. And who better to demonstrate mastering the perfect dunk than the Globetrotters.
The line-up of menu items includes the Dunked Korean Sticky BBQ McCrispy, Dunked Korean Sticky BBQ McSpicy (both pre-dunked in the new sauce), as well as Chicken McWings and Chicken McNuggets, served with Korean Sticky BBQ sauce on the side. Building on its “Peak Chicken” platform, the world-renowned basketball exhibition icons are demonstrating the best ways to dunk Macca’s chicken menu items – because for Macca’s fans, the sauce isn’t just an extra… it’s the main event.
The playful film captures the team’s dynamic energy through a stylised handheld visual approach. It follows Globetrotter team members Moose, Prince, Sunshine, Torch and Thunder through an exciting day-in-the-life as Macca’s newest employees. It takes viewers on a journey from the moment they clock-in as new hires, to showing off their impressively skilled basketball shots in the Macca’s kitchen, to the epic final dunk on a hoop mounted on the Golden Arches sign.
Beyond the film, the campaign extends into social where the Globetrotters impart their dunking wisdom to Macca’s enthusiasts by educating them on “The Art of Dunking.” In OOH, teaser boards feature a cryptic basketball hoop on the iconic Golden Arches to build anticipation. The NZ campaign OOH utilises an old-school basketball collage aesthetic to perfectly spotlight the partnership.
Says Jack Elliott and Lochie Newham, Senior Creatives at W+K Sydney: “With a resume boasting insane trick-shots, Guinness World Records and 100 years of dunking experience, the Harlem Globetrotters were the perfect candidates for the job.”
Adds Amanda Nakad, Marketing Director of Menu and Brand for McDonald’s Australia: “At Macca’s, we’re always looking for ways to celebrate the things our fans love most, and for many, it’s all about the sauces. Partnering with the legendary Harlem Globetrotters allowed us to lean further into our Peak Chicken era with a level of flair and energy only they can bring. By merging their world-renowned dunking expertise with our new Korean Sticky BBQ Dunked range, we’ve created a campaign that feels exciting and fresh for our Australian and New Zealand markets.”
The work is set to run for six weeks and can be seen across TV, cinema, OLV, radio, digital audio, OOH, paid and organic social, CRM, in-store, in the MyMacca’s app and content partnerships with Val Morgan.
Client: McDonald’s
Agency: Wieden+Kennedy Sydney
Production Co: Rabbit
Talent Director: Intuitive Artisan Entertainment
Casting: Danny Long
Post Production: The Editors
Colourist: Rascal
VFX: FIN Design + Effects
Music Composition: Concret Form
Sound Design: Rumble
Media: OMD Sydney
CRM: Digitas AU
Digital Experience + Restaurant Experience: Akcelo
PR and Influencer: Eleven PR
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