BREAKING: McDonald’s has just pulled its controversial AI-generated Christmas advertisement following a massive backlash from viewers. The video, which was uploaded to the McDonald’s Netherlands YouTube channel on December 6, 2023, faced swift criticism for its unsettling animations and bleak portrayal of the holiday season.
The commercial, aimed at showcasing the “bad side” of Christmas, sparked outrage online just three days after its release. Critics slammed the ad for its “eerie” visuals and the message that Christmas is only enjoyable at McDonald’s. One social media user, Theodore McKenzie, labeled it “the most god-awful ad I’ve seen this year,” even going so far as to say it was worse than Coca-Cola’s previous AI attempts.
The ad featured a choir singing a twisted version of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” renamed “It’s the Most Terrible Time of the Year.” It depicted miserable holiday experiences, including inclement weather, traffic jams, and kitchen disasters, all while an unsettling background track played. The backlash intensified as the internet flooded with criticism over the use of generative AI in the ad’s production, which resulted in bizarre animations and an uncanny valley aesthetic.
In the face of this criticism, the production company behind the ad, The Sweetshop, initially defended their work. CEO Melanie Bridge claimed that a dedicated team of ten “in-house AI and post specialists” worked tirelessly for seven weeks to create what she described as a “high-craft production.” However, the statement has since been deleted.
Bridge stated, “I don’t see this spot as a novelty or a cute seasonal experiment. To me, it’s evidence of something much bigger: that when craft and technology meet with intention, they can create work that feels genuinely cinematic.” Despite this defense, the ad’s removal has raised concerns about the implications for authentic media production.
As of now, the McDonald’s Christmas ad has been reuploaded by various users in an effort to hold The Sweetshop accountable for what many consider a misstep in advertising. The backlash highlights a growing unease regarding the use of AI in creative industries, as major brands like Coca-Cola and Disney have also faced scrutiny for similar practices.
With the ad now pulled from circulation, the question remains: what will be the next step for McDonald’s as they navigate the fallout of this blunder? For now, it seems that the fast-food giant is feeling the heat from consumers who demand authenticity, particularly during the holiday season.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
