DELUSIONAL ARROGANCE AT AN OLYMPIC LEVEL
We can only describe our reaction as “gob-smacked” when we read in Monday’s edition of Crikey the existence of a “begging letter” from the community spirited McDonald’s corporation to the traders of the Tecoma strip. A few months ago we thought they (McDonald’s) were somewhat delusional when they took out an ad’ in the local paper asking the community to “Come in and meet the team”, the same community that they sued, bullied and spied upon, however this letter takes their delusional arrogance to an Olympic class level.
Come on guys, to ask competing small businesses to provide staff or donations to an event where McDonald’s receives all the branding. Are you that desperate for community recognition?
Many of the targeted businesses are very much community minded having donated much to our recent Gypsy Ball, however the ridiculousness of a multi-billion dollar corporation asking for donations from such small business owners whom they would just as well be happy to see go out of business absolutely takes the cake for PR stupidity.
Now it has to be said we are not targeting the charity involved, however McDonald’s charitable practices are considered by many as questionable. In this recent Salon.com article:
It states “Corporations have long used philanthropy as a public relations vehicle, an easy, non-controversial way to deflect attention from bad practices.” They go on to say “But even in a world where this kind of corporate giving has become the norm, McDonald’s has, as usual, gone the extra mile to be totally, completely, and brazenly shitty.”
We believe that this week’s “begging letter” is a perfect example of a corporation with a terrible public relations record hiding behind a children’s charity in an attempt to build brand and repair reputations. The letter claims that “McHappy Day is all about celebrating community spirit” We let’s for a moment look at some of the “community spirit” McDonald’s have demonstrated in Tecoma:
– Refusing to meet with the community prior to building approval
– Lying to the media about support for the project
– Waiting until Christmas Eve to initiate VCAT proceedings so as to take advantage of community on holidays.
– Promising to produce “evidence” of support and showing nothing.
– Using a non-union contractor to demolish a much-loved community building (Hazelvale Dairy)
– Issuing Supreme Court writs against 8 community members
– Spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on legal intimidation.
– Organising for 80 Public Order Response officers to face off a peaceful and non-violent community protest
– Ignoring building permit condition during construction
– Using angle grinders on a Total Fire Ban Day during construction.
– Having security guards intimidate community members.
– Organising a private investigator to spy on community members
– Ignoring mandated VCAT conditions in an attempt to erect illuminated signage 2 metres higher than legal.
– Distributing free food vouchers on open day to guarantee a crowd and then telling the media they did not do it.
– Claiming 100 jobs that don’t exist
– Applying to council for additional signage despite VCAT saying no.
And the list goes on…….
We see this letter as an attempt to gather trader and community support for a business that the community has already turned their back on because of McDonald’s lack of community spirit. It’s a really pity they do this from behind a children’s charity.
Finally, we are not saying the donating funds to children’s hospital are a bad thing. But in this case it’s all about saving the brand. If you feel inclined to donate to such a cause you can always donate directly cutting out the middleman who in this case is a pathetic corporate clown.
