McDonald’s 1984 Olympic Campaign Thai Cave Rescue

Back in 1984, McDonald’s had a seemingly good idea to help promote their brand. The advertising campaign was simple: everytime someone bought an item, they would receive a scratch off card that listed an Olympic event. If America won a gold medal, customers would win a free Big Mac. If America won a silver, customers would win free fries. A bronze medal, a free drink. The slogan was “If the US wins, you win.” At face value, the campaign was a great way to get ordinary consumers involved with the Olympics, and helped people feel invested.

The one flaw with their idea is that the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc boycotted the games. This was a result of the US and many Western countries boycotting the 1980 olympics in Moscow. This boycotting had dramatic effects of the medal chances of many American athletes. After all, the Eastern bloc was an Olympic powerhouse. Their absence left the US with little opposition to medals

In the end, the US took home 83 golds and 174 medals in total. In contrast, this was almost double their previous medal haul at the Montreal olympics in 1976, where they won 94 total medals and 34 golds.

With this medal haul, McDonald’s had to give out a lot of free food. Many of the outlets reportedly ran out of Big Macs. A 1984 New York Times article estimated that the amount of prizes given away was “mindboggling.” With the Olympics returning to LA in 2028, it is unlikely we will see such a promotion again given how much money was lost.

Coreyirwin. (2019, July 28). 35 years ago: McDonald’s olympic giveaway backfires. Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved from https://ultimateclassicrock.com/mcdonalds-1984-olympics/.

How the President travels

The US president has been targeted for assassination on numerous occasions. 4 presidents have been assassinated: Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, and Kennedy. Thus, an enormous amount of money and resources are dedicated to protecting the President while in transport. On the road, there is the Presidential motorcade.

First, route cars clear the roads of vehicles to ensure a clear path for the President. Then, what is known as the Secure Package arrives. This is the most important group as it contains the President in one of two identical Presidential limos. The personal limos of the Presidents are extremely well armoured. 5 inch thick bulletproof windows, rocket-powered grenades, tear gas cannons, bottled oxygen and two pints of the president’s blood type.

Alongside, there are cars that carry the president’s military aides and doctors. Secret service agents travel with this group as well, ready to respond to any threat against the president.

When the president travels in the air for short distances, it is via Marine one.

These helicopters are most commonly used to transport the president from the White House to Andrews Air Force Base nearby, where Air Force one is stored. After take-off, Marine one travels with 5 identical aircraft that shuffle between each other to throw off potential attackers. Air Force one is perhaps the most well-known transport craft and is utilized by modified Boeing 747s.

The cost of the president and the first family travelling is very expensive. To operate Air Force One costs $206,377 per flight hour. Numerous hotels have to be booked to accommodate all the aides and security. Usually, three entire floors are booked. When Melania Trump stayed in Toronto, $174,000 was spent for a 12-hour trip.

In Cairo, Melania Trump didn’t even stay overnight, yet still racked up $95,000.

Barack and Michelle Obama’s trip to Palm Springs and Aspen, Colorado cost a combined $272,000. Regardless, many feel all of this protection is necessary given how powerful the President of the United States is.

Cranley, E. (2019, May 19). The president and First Lady Travel in an ‘imperial bubble’ where the US government books entire floors of hotels, closes down airports, and shuts down highways. here’s what it’s like. Business Insider. Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.com/president-first-lady-travel-costs-hotels-transportation-security-2019-4.