B2B Growth
Marketing Fails: McDonald’s Olympic Blunder & Sony's PSP Misstep
Sep 3, 2024
Explore the comical marketing missteps of McDonald's during the 1984 Olympics, where supply shortages left customers fuming. Discover how Sony's attempt to challenge Nintendo with a grassroots campaign for the PSP fell flat, adding to their woes. The discussion highlights the importance of knowing your audience and the lessons learned from these blunders, paving the way for Sony's eventual marketing success with the PS5. It's a wild ride through the highs and lows of brand blunders!
15:58
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- McDonald's Olympic promotion in 1984 backfired due to a lack of inventory management, costing millions and frustrating customers.
- Sony's 'All I Want For Christmas Is A PSP' campaign exemplified the need for authenticity in marketing, as it was perceived as insincere.
Deep dives
McDonald's 1984 Olympics Promotion
In 1984, McDonald's launched a promotional campaign tied to the Olympics called 'When the US Wins, You Win,' which allowed customers to receive free Big Macs based on the performance of American athletes. The campaign was rooted in patriotism and nostalgia, building on the success of a similar promotion in 1976. However, the company underestimated the enthusiasm of American fans, leading to a surge in customers at locations across the country, quickly depleting inventory of their key products. Ultimately, the promotion resulted in significant losses for McDonald's, making it one of the most costly marketing campaigns in the company's history, highlighting that even a well-intentioned strategy can backfire if not properly managed.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
