It's a good thing I was more of a BigMac kind of girl...
This past spring of 2009, McDonald's decided to partner with Kidz Bop by giving away 8 different Kidz Bop samplers with their Happy Meals. According to marketing manager of McDonald's USA Rebecca Anderson, Mcdonald's chose Kidz Bop for their first music CD-based Happy Meal promotion because "[McDonald's] knows kids love music, and Kidz Bop is an empowering brand."
She also adds that "It's a very relevant and engaging property [they] know [the kids] will love" shown by Kidz Bop promise.
When the promotion began in April 24, 2009, Kidz Bop had sold 11 million CDs in just over eight years of business and were on their 15th compilation. The last nine CDs premiered in Billboard's Top 10.*
It seemed like the perfect marriage: greasy food for children and terribly contagious music.
The problem began with a little tune by Gavin Degraw less than three weeks into the promotion. "I Don't Wanna Be" on Kidz Bop CD No. 6 contained a word that was supposed to be "looking" but what sounded like the word "fucking." Several parents to a McDonald's in Alabama and consequently they decided to pull all of their Kidz Bop CDs from their Happy Meals. Although the franchise stuck to their guns, McDonald's corporate defended Kidz Bop.
"Kidz Bop carefully chooses the songs featured on all Kidz Bop CDs, including those songs in the current Happy Meal, to ensure both the subject matter and lyrics are appropriate for our youngest guests. McDonald's further ensures the song selections are consistent with the stringent standards that we attribute to all of our Happy Meal toy offerings," said McDonald's corporate spokeswoman Danya Proud.**
The real problem is that there is even an argument. There's a hint of uncertainty. Listen for yourself (0:06).
By the way, in the original song, Gavin DeGraw DOES use the f-word.
Kidz Bop may not have "damaged" corporate McDonald's reputation, but there's a group of angry parents out there who are wondering what kind of crazy lunatics are promoting profanity to their young children. The franchise in Alabama knew how to fix their minor mishap. They didn't give away Kidz Bop CDs. Easy.
*Check out the article from BrandWeek: McDonald's Grooves to Kidz Bop
**Check out the article from UPI: Parents: Profanity in McD's Kidz Bop CD
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