McDonald's "Archy Dancing" advertisement (lost commercial from fast food franchise; early 1960s): Difference between revisions

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{{NeedingWork|lack of content/poor formatting}}
{{InfoboxLost
{{LMW
|title=<center>Archy McDonald Advertisements</center>
|title=Archy McDonald Advertisements
|description=lost TV commercial(s) / other promotional materials
|startyear=1961
|timeframe=Yes
|endyear=1964
|image=Mcdonalds2-276x300.jpg
|image=Mcdonalds2-276x300.jpg
|imagecaption=Archy McDonald, retired mascot of the popular fast food chain
|imagecaption=Archy, the former mascot of the popular fast food chain McDonald's.
|status=Lost
|status=<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''</span>
|category=Lost advertising and interstitial material
|tags=Historic; Food; Fast Food; Advertisements; Mascots
}}
}}
Archy was a McDonald's mascot that predated Ronald McDonald and other characters such as Grimace and the Hamburgler.  
Archy was a McDonald's mascot who appeared throughout the early 1960s for the fast food chain McDonald's.  The character would predate other McDonald's mascots like Ronald McDonald by several years.


The existence of Archy is documented through a scattered collection of memorabilia, from gift bags to pin badges, to toys from early proto-Happy-Meals. He was introduced as a replacement to the older mascot, Speedee, some time between 1961 and 1962. <ref name="double"> [https://www.thedailymeal.com/eat/under-golden-arches-mcdonald-s-logos-through-years-slideshow/slide-5] </ref> Sources are disputed as to the exact year; vlog footage from a McDonald's museum (recorded by Adam The Woo) shows an informational plaque stating 'circa 1961' <ref name="img"> [https://storage.proboards.com/6020674/thumbnailer/yxMmTyOyQJbvPLUDxXE0.png] </ref>, but multiple online news reports give 1962, suggesting that this may be more accurate, or roll-out of the character was perhaps done in stages. <ref name="cb"> [https://www.creativebloq.com/logo-design/mcdonalds-logo-short-11135325] </ref> <ref name="retire"> [https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/gbentoglio-eportfolio/2015/12/07/mcdonalds-logo-history-report/]</ref>
Sometime in the early 1960s (likely between 1961-1963), '''Archy would be featured in a commercial where he would be "dancing around a McDonald's countertop".'''<ref name="DM"> [https://www.thedailymeal.com/eat/under-golden-arches-mcdonald-s-logos-through-years-slideshow/slide-5 The Daily Mail article mentioning Archy and the commercial.] Retrieved 30 Aug '21</ref> This commercial has been confirmed to exist from a plague at the oldest operating McDonald's in Downey, California.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjVDXQ6aSo0 Adam The Woo's YouTube video featuring the McDonald's location with the plague.] Retrieved 30 Aug '21</ref>  
==History==
The existence of Archy is documented through a scattered collection of memorabilia, from gift bags to pin badges, to toys from early proto-Happy-Meals.<ref name=MC>[https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/gbentoglio-eportfolio/2015/12/07/mcdonalds-logo-history-report/ The source stating that Archy would be retired.] Retrieved 30 Aug '21</ref> He was introduced as a replacement to the older mascot, Speedee, some time between 1961 and 1962.  A commercial would then be produced featuring the mascot, a first for the fast food chain.


Archy would of course go on to be replaced by Ronald McDonald,''' who first started appearing in TV advertisements in the mid 1960s.'''
Sources are disputed as to the exact year the commercial was produced; vlog footage from the aforementioned McDonald's (recorded by YouTube user [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsVZh7ixefe7v0wlIkhfk9g Adam The Woo]) shows an informational plaque stating circa 1963.  The plague would state that the contents of the commercial had Archy "dancing around a McDonald's countertop".<ref>[https://storage.proboards.com/6020674/thumbnailer/yxMmTyOyQJbvPLUDxXE0.png The image of the plaque at the museum.] Retrieved 30 Aug '21</ref>
By 1965, one source suggests discussions to officially 'retire' Archy were underway <ref name="retire" />. One alternate source suggests a lawsuit by a DJ named Archie was a contributing factor, although this claim has not been substantiated as of yet. <ref name="dj"> [https://www.fftoydatabase.com/2018/02/mcdonalds-1964-archie-bag.html] </ref> Despite this, the McDonald's museum source claims that a TV featuring Archy did in fact air, though it has apparently been lost to time. This is also corroborated by a previously discussed article. <ref name="cb" /> Both sources describe an ad in which Archy is dancing on a countertop.
 
==Availability==
Archy would of course go on to be replaced by Ronald McDonald, who first started appearing in TV advertisements in the mid 1960s. By 1965, one source suggests discussions to officially "retire" Archy were underway.<ref name=MC/>
 
Since then, the supposed commercial featuring Archy has fallen into obscurity and has not been seen since. Discord user Shishagumi2 has messaged McDonald's customer support via email, with a McDonald's representive responding to the message:
 
<blockquote>"Thank you for contacting McDonald's and for your interest in one of our commercials.
 
I'm sorry that we're unable to honor your request for a commercial. Every year McDonald's local and national advertising agencies produce thousands of commercials that are viewed all around the world. Unfortunately, we do not have a video library that contains copies of all McDonald's commercials that were produced.
 
Again, please accept our apologies for not being able to accommodate your request. We hope to have the opportunity to serve you in the future."
 
Giselle
Customer Satisfaction Representative<ref>[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/875539078857240606/881989279201493052/Screen_Shot_2021-08-30_at_3.49.28_PM.png The email reply from the McDonald's customer service representive.] Retrieved 30 Aug '21</ref></blockquote>
 
Due to this response, it is unlikely that McDonald's still has the commercial in their possession.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
===Images===
<gallery mode=packed heights=175px>
<gallery mode=packed heights=175px>
mcdmuseum.png|Museum Plaque
mcdmuseum.png|Museum plaque confirming the existence of the commercial.
archyebay.jpg|One of many examples of Archy promotional goods
archyebay.jpg|One of many examples of Archy promotional goods.
archytoy.jpg|A 60s toy featuring Archy
archytoy.jpg|A 1960s toy featuring Archy.
</gallery>
</gallery>
 
==Video==
{{Video|perrow  =1
  |service1    =youtube
  |id1          =QjVDXQ6aSo0
  |description1 =Adam The Woo's video featuring the oldest operating McDonald's and the plague confirming the commercial's existence (8:48-9:16). 
}}
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Lost advertising and interstitial material]]
[[Category:Lost TV]]
[[Category:Completely lost media]]

Revision as of 21:46, 30 August 2021

Mcdonalds2-276x300.jpg

Archy, the former mascot of the popular fast food chain McDonald's.

Status: Partially Found

Archy was a McDonald's mascot who appeared throughout the early 1960s for the fast food chain McDonald's. The character would predate other McDonald's mascots like Ronald McDonald by several years.

Sometime in the early 1960s (likely between 1961-1963), Archy would be featured in a commercial where he would be "dancing around a McDonald's countertop".[1] This commercial has been confirmed to exist from a plague at the oldest operating McDonald's in Downey, California.[2]

History

The existence of Archy is documented through a scattered collection of memorabilia, from gift bags to pin badges, to toys from early proto-Happy-Meals.[3] He was introduced as a replacement to the older mascot, Speedee, some time between 1961 and 1962. A commercial would then be produced featuring the mascot, a first for the fast food chain.

Sources are disputed as to the exact year the commercial was produced; vlog footage from the aforementioned McDonald's (recorded by YouTube user Adam The Woo) shows an informational plaque stating circa 1963. The plague would state that the contents of the commercial had Archy "dancing around a McDonald's countertop".[4]

Availability

Archy would of course go on to be replaced by Ronald McDonald, who first started appearing in TV advertisements in the mid 1960s. By 1965, one source suggests discussions to officially "retire" Archy were underway.[3]

Since then, the supposed commercial featuring Archy has fallen into obscurity and has not been seen since. Discord user Shishagumi2 has messaged McDonald's customer support via email, with a McDonald's representive responding to the message:

"Thank you for contacting McDonald's and for your interest in one of our commercials.

I'm sorry that we're unable to honor your request for a commercial. Every year McDonald's local and national advertising agencies produce thousands of commercials that are viewed all around the world. Unfortunately, we do not have a video library that contains copies of all McDonald's commercials that were produced.

Again, please accept our apologies for not being able to accommodate your request. We hope to have the opportunity to serve you in the future."

Giselle

Customer Satisfaction Representative[5]

Due to this response, it is unlikely that McDonald's still has the commercial in their possession.

Gallery

  • Museum plaque confirming the existence of the commercial.

    Museum plaque confirming the existence of the commercial.

  • One of many examples of Archy promotional goods.

    One of many examples of Archy promotional goods.

  • A 1960s toy featuring Archy.

    A 1960s toy featuring Archy.

Video

Adam The Woo's video featuring the oldest operating McDonald's and the plague confirming the commercial's existence (8:48-9:16).

References

  1. ↑ The Daily Mail article mentioning Archy and the commercial. Retrieved 30 Aug '21
  2. ↑ Adam The Woo's YouTube video featuring the McDonald's location with the plague. Retrieved 30 Aug '21
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 The source stating that Archy would be retired. Retrieved 30 Aug '21
  4. ↑ The image of the plaque at the museum. Retrieved 30 Aug '21
  5. ↑ The email reply from the McDonald's customer service representive. Retrieved 30 Aug '21
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