At #BlogHer16, I had been invited to an exclusive McDonalds sponsor event. It’s an event that allowed attendees to sign up, but only so many were selected to participate. The McDonalds sponsor event was interesting in the fact that I actually learned more about the company than I had ever known. I had actually worked for McDonalds when I was in high school. So, this opportunity was really interesting to attend.
Before I signed up, I decided to approach it from the “how a brand connects with bloggers” angle, observe, and then recap it here at Blondish.net.
#BlogHer16: How McDonalds Connects With Bloggers at Conferences
McDonalds is a brand that is well known internationally. It’s a leader in the fast food industry, so in order to keep on top of it, they have to reach out to their consumers. Conferences like #BlogHer16 allow them develop information and deliver it in order to get that connection they need. The outreach party is how they chose to do it. They selected social media influencers to attend.
At the sponsor event, they gave out samples, provided a presentation, and then encouraged bloggers to connect by offering a hands on activity.
The Samples
McDonalds provided samples like their smoothies, coffee, Chicken McNuggets, as well as dipping sauces, and even their pico de gallo with guacamole.
The event was outside, and it was kind of hot under the Los Angeles sun, so they did provide water and other beverages too.
The Presentation
The presentation that was given, was on how McDonalds is making a better effort with food and letting their customers know what’s in it, where it comes from, and how it’s prepared. For example, the Chicken McNuggets are not treated. They now have 100% no perservatives, no artificial flavors, and no artificial colors.
Many of the attendees were moms or were food bloggers, so this was definitely a great message to share. I love Chicken McNuggets. It’s one of the first fast food items I’ve ever had, and my son, he usually orders it when we go. To know that McDonalds has improved the quality of the chicken is a big win.
McDonalds staff like Molly McKenna (Directory of PR), Marion Gross (oversees supply in North America), and Chef Jessica Faust came together to let #BlogHer16 attendees know of McDonalds current progress, and their plans for the future.
They also talked about the process in which determines what customers will enjoy, which is asking customers for ideas and feedback. They try the recipe suggestion, adjust it, and then test it in a few stores. If there’s any feedback on the taste, they tweak it, and then expand to more stores, market it before deciding if the idea is for regional, national, or more. Chef Jessica added, “Our menu is part chef recipe, and part customer recipe.”
The Hands on Activity
Once the presentation was complete, McDonalds staff invited food blogger, Julie Lee of Julie’s Kitchen to share some food photography tips with bloggers.
Once she was done with demonstrating, attendees were invited to take part in a giveaway content that used the food pic taking tips that Julie had shared.
I didn’t participate, but as you can see, I had a lot of fun taking pics of other attendees having fun with arranging the food and taking pics.
In summary, I think McDonalds did a fantastic job putting together such an event. It was well thought out, and reminded me that even for a huge company like McDonalds, they try their best to engage and listen to their customers. As bloggers, we also have to try doing that too. When you start blogging, it’s often for yourself, but it’s your reader that has happened upon your website either by social media or by search engine, and usually by chance.
McDonalds has had loyal customers for decades because they have listened to suggestions, and improved where they could.
Are you engaging and listening to your readers? Has it helped with your website?
I love to interact with my readers. I’m so grateful to have them come to my site, I want them to know how much I appreciate it.
I always make a point to interact with my readers. If they take the time to comment on what I write, I want them to know how much I love them for it.
I write for readers! I write what I hope they want to hear and tips and tricks to make their lives better. I try to take the time and respond to all comments!
Interaction with my readers is so important! Showing some appreciation on my page I’ll show them that I listen and appreciate them for taking their time to come to my website.
I love how detailed your description of the event is! It is great to be able to listen to such a big brand, and understand what it takes for a brand like that to stand out. I am going to a conference in December, I will have to try to get your level of detail in my descriptions now, you did a great job with your reporting on the event!
Wow! What a great event! I wouldn’t necessarily think that McDonalds would be participating at BlogHer16, but it looks like they’re a perfect fit! Bringing in Julie Lee was very nice of them! 🙂
I love that McDonalds is starting to take a healthier approach to the meat they’re selling. I try to be engaging with my readers too.
I try to interact and engage with my readers as much as possible.
This sounds like a pretty cool event! I like how more brands are getting to know more bloggers and that they finally see the potential we have to reach their audience. Pretty neat!
This event sounds like it was very educational indeed for any blogger or business person. McDonald’s has improved their products by listening to the consumers and that is the same thing a blogger does to make their brand better. Thanks for sharing your experience and the event.
I believe engaging with my readers is very important and I’m trying my best to engage with them as much as I can.
I think that its vital to make my blog a two-way street. I’m not here solely to data dump information on my readers – I definitely want to hear from them!
That’s nice to know that they’ve improved the quality of the Chicken McNuggets. There’s a reason McDonald’s has been around for so long. It sounds like a very educational experience for you to have learned about them at the conference.
We engage when we actually do something, we just aren’t focused enough on building our blog. Still kind of learning the ropes and taking it slow.
Chicken McNuggets are my guilty pleasure, shhh! I’m happy to hear they’re improving the quality and taking a healthier approach to their menu.
I always engage and interact with my readers. I love that they take the time to read my blog and leave a comment, and I always try to show them how much I appreciate them.
I wish local businesseshere in my area would connect to blohhers like me, it would be nice.
Looks like a lot of fun! I love McDonalds!