Marketing in The News Blogs

 

Marketing in the News: McDonald’s Uses Nostalgia to Bring Back Pokémon Happy Meals

I chose this article because McDonald’s has always been a big part of my childhood, especially the Happy Meals. When I saw that McDonald’s is planning to bring back Pokémon Happy Meals, it caught my attention right away. Pokémon was also a big part of growing up for many people, so I thought it was interesting how McDonald’s is using memories from the past to market its food today. I wanted to learn more about how nostalgia marketing works and why companies use it.

Here is the article I used
: https://www.thestreet.com/restaurants/mcdonalds-brings-back-a-beloved-childhood-favorite-in-2026-pokemon-happy-meal?utm

The article explains thateMcDonald’s is expected to bring back Pokémon-themed Happy Meals in 2026 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Pokémon. The promotion would likely include collectible Pokémon cards, toys, and special packaging. McDonald’s has done similar promotions in the past, and they were very popular with customers. The article suggests that this move is meant to attract people who grew up loving Pokémon while also exciting younger kids who are fans today.

There are three main takeaways from the article. First, McDonald’s is using a partnership with a well-known brand to create excitement and bring customers into their stores. Second, the promotion is limited time only, which makes people feel like they need to act fast if they want the collectibles. Third, McDonald’s is targeting both adults and kids at the same time by using a brand that appeals to multiple age groups. This shows how planned and strategic the promotion really is.

McDonald’s value proposition is all about providing quick, affordable, and familiar food while also creating a fun experience. The company is not just selling burgers and fries. It is selling convenience and comfort. Happy Meals are a big part of that because they turn a simple meal into something exciting, especially for families. By adding Pokémon toys, McDonald’s adds extra value that customers cannot get from most competitors.

This article is very relevant to marketing because it focuses on nostalgia marketing. Nostalgia marketing works by reminding people of positive memories from the past. In this case, McDonald’s is reminding customers of their childhood experiences with Pokémon and Happy Meals. This creates an emotional connection that makes people more likely to buy from the brand. McDonald’s is also using limited-time offers to create urgency, which is another important marketing strategy.

One challenge McDonald’s is facing is strong competition from other fast food chains. Many people today are also more focused on healthy eating, which can make fast food less appealing. On top of that, prices have gone up, and some families are spending less money on eating out. These challenges make it harder for McDonald’s to stand out. Bringing back a nostalgic promotion is one way McDonald’s tries to overcome these problems by giving customers a reason to visit again.

What makes this marketing approach unique is how McDonald’s combines pop culture with emotional marketing. Pokémon is not just a random brand. It has a loyal fan base and strong emotional value. By using collectibles and special packaging, McDonald’s turns a regular meal into something people want to talk about and share on social media. This approach appeals to a buyer persona that values fun, memories, and collectables, especially adults who grew up with Pokémon.

Overall, I think this marketing strategy is effective, but it does have some weaknesses. It is effective because it brings people into stores and creates excitement around the brand. However, it may not appeal to customers who are not interested in Pokémon or who are more focused on health. Nostalgia promotions also only work for a short period of time, so McDonald’s cannot rely on them forever.

If I were the brand manager, I would still use this promotion but add something new alongside it. For example, I would introduce a new menu item or healthier option and promote it together with the Happy Meal. This way, McDonald’s could attract both nostalgic customers and people looking for something different. I would also use the McDonald’s app to offer rewards related to the promotion to increase customer loyalty.

From this article, I learned how powerful emotions are in marketing. People do not always make buying decisions based on logic. Memories and feelings play a big role. This assignment helped me better understand how companies use marketing strategies to stay relevant and competitive.