McDonald's Readies Olympic Games Campaign

In anticipation of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, McDonald's has revealed its sponsorship plans, including limited-time toys, menu offerings and athlete-themed packaging.

At Canada's 1,400 restaurants, the fast-food chain will beginning offering limited-time menu offerings such as a s'mores pie and the crme brulee crunch-flavored McFlurry. Also, Happy Meals will feature a line-up of interactive 2010 Winter Games mascot-inspired toys.

In the U.S.' 15,000 restaurants, there are plans for a chicken McNugget promotion, as well as a limited-time sauce. Beginning on Feb. 1, cups and bags will feature U.S. athletes, including Graham Watanabe (snowboarding), Jennifer Rodriguez (speedskating), J.R. Celski (speedskating), Dustin Byfuglien (hockey), Patrick Deneen (skiing) and Kelly Clark (snowboarding).

McDonald's in Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway have begun to offer chicken McNuggets under a promotion entitled "Share the Gold."

In other McDonald's news, Don Thompson, president of McDonald's USA, was recently elected as president and chief operating officer, overseeing the company's 32,000 restaurants worldwide. Jan Fields, executive vice president and chief operations officer for McDonald's USA, was promoted to president of McDonald's USA. Jim Johannesen, U.S. division president (central division), will succeed Fields' as executive vice president and chief operations officer for McDonald's USA.