McDonald’s Salad Ad from 1987

This old-school McDonald’s ad sells salads with… gossip. Two friends casually chatting over the phone make the brand feel friendly, real, and human. No corporate slogans. Just “Girl, I wonder how Mickey D’s makes such a great tasting salad?”

Marketing Analysis

This ad nails relatable storytelling. It’s not selling lettuce. It’s selling the feeling of hearing good news from a friend. The copy and imagery say “fresh and fun,” not “healthy and boring.”

Why It Works

• Conversational tone feels human, not corporate.
• Relatable context (friends chatting) builds trust fast.
• Visual storytelling: close-up food + happy customers = craveability.
• Simplicity — one clear idea: freshness all day.

Examples

• Wendy’s “Where’s the beef?” used humor through dialogue.
• Apple’s “Shot on iPhone” lets real people do the talking.
• Starbucks barista cards personalize the experience without heavy copy.