1986 McDonalds cross promotion ad with Gillette

Ever seen breakfast and shaving in one sentence? McDonald’s nailed it. They partnered with Gillette to give away free razors with every breakfast sandwich. The tagline nailed the pun: “Let McDonald’s change the way you look at breakfast.”

Marketing Analysis

This campaign perfectly merges two totally different morning habits—eating and grooming. By linking them, McDonald’s makes breakfast feel like part of a complete “morning routine.”

Why It Works

• Cross-promotion synergy: Both brands own the morning.
• Clear visual story: Bearded to clean-shaven = before/after transformation.
• Value exchange: Free Gillette razor boosts breakfast sales.
• Humor hooks attention: It’s memorable, not just clever.

Examples

• Taco Bell + Doritos = Doritos Locos Tacos (sold over 1 billion).
• Spotify + Starbucks = music playlists tied to coffee breaks.
• Red Bull + GoPro = thrill-seeker co-branding people love.