Posted on 05/08/2015 10:29:16 AM PDT by YourAdHere
We usually hate it when media speculate about whether a celebrity has had a nip or tuck, but it must be said: The Hamburglar has definitely had some work done.
McDonald's on Wednesday brought the burger-stealing character back for a new advertising campaign for the first time in over a decade — and he looks nothing like the short, chubby, red-haired cartoon that we here at The Salt grew up with.
Instead, he's now a tall, slim, stubble-faced dude sporting a fedora, trench coat and skinny-jeans. And it turns out he's also a suburban dad — a back story revealed in this advertisement for the McDonald's new Sirloin Third Pound Burger:
The unveiling of the handsome Hamburglar comes as McDonald's struggles to reinvent itself. The 75-year-old fast-food chain is facing slumping sales, as other options for a quick bite proliferate — from fast-casual fare like Chipotle, to so-called "better burger" chains like Shake Shack and Habit Burger.
This week, McDonalds CEO Steve Easterbrook unveiled a turnaround plan that involved rebranding the company as a "modern, progressive burger company."
Presumably, the new "hipster Hamburglar," as USA Today dubbed him, is part of this effort. But so far, he's generating more scorn than buzz. Slate wondered whether old Mr. "Robble Robble" isn't having some sort of midlife crisis, while the ladies over at Jezebel let loose with more lascivious musings. Meanwhile, Time is worrying about his economic prospects: why he's in the burger-burgling business, since burgers are already pretty cheap, and lose their value (and edibility) fairly quickly.
Sriram Madhusoodanan of Corporate Accountability International, a watchdog group and longtime critic of McDonald's marketing to kids, says the updated Hamburglar is "definitely a response to the fact that being so obviously associated with cartoon marketing icons has become a liability for the corporation." But, he adds, "I think there's also an element of desperation here."
Desperation, or clever marketing ploy? After all, we're here talking about it.
I picture someone like Mr. T. Would be more representative of their customers.
I don't know; it looks stupid. It's slovenly and uncommitted.
Either shave, or grow a beard. That quarter-inch stubble is gross.
“I figured he would be gay.”
I’m going for transgendered.
Paradoxically the more blades science can fit on a razor, the less well-shaven the men are.
My grandfather did much better with the old single blade Wilkinson in the 40’s.
the problem is there no real change.
It is the same modern processed junk in a new box.
American cheese is not even cheese. (dairy product)
If they want to go back to basics, they have to go BACK TO BASICS.
no processed, high salt, super preservative meats.
How about brining on the much promised robots to do the food cooking? real food with no low information labor pool.
“I had an idea once for a hamburger chain.
Make your own burger!
You get the patty from the clerk in a sanitary container, then you proceed to a salad bar type set up where you get different types of buns and the makings of the burger, lettuce, tomato, jalapenos, etc., and put whatever you want on it in however much.”
You might like FuddRuckers although it isn’t quite fast food.
The Hamburglar was much thinner back in the seventies.
looks creepy. like that highly successful burger king king character....will probably have as much success
Given their demographic, a scrawny thief with drooping draws would be perfect.
They do that in canada and it’s called Harvey’s. However, you tell the counter dude how much relish, pickles etc you want on it.
Reminds me of the creepy Trivago guy.
I got an idea; why not make better food?
I’m surprised that they did not have the Ottawa Senators goalie Andrew Hammond involved in this (gave him a lifetime free card at McDonald’s after his record breaking winning streak).
We have FUDPUCKERS.................
“Ya Ain’t Been Pucked Till Ya Been FUDPUCKED!”............Their slogan..........
7-11 had that in the mid-1980’s. 50 cents each for the burger. It was where everyone would go after the bar closed. The girls would buy one burger and make a HUGE salad with the fixins, while the boys would grab 5 or 6, toss half the buns, and mow down.
Good times, good times...
7-11 sold all their Florida stores to Circle K in the early 80’s...........................
A cartoon character may sell more hamburgers but it won’t make them taste any better.
He and pajama boy will be a couple.
Yeah, I hope I don't get the room the Trivago guy rented, unless they've fumigated it first.
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