UPDATE: McDonald’s has just announced the removal of its controversial AI-generated Christmas advertisement following a massive backlash from viewers. The commercial, which was uploaded to the McDonald’s Netherlands YouTube channel on December 6, 2023, quickly faced criticism for its unsettling portrayal of the holiday season.
The ad, featuring a choir singing Christmas carols outside a McDonald’s, sparked outrage across social media, leading to its deletion just three days after its release. Critics labeled the video “creepy” and “soulless,” with one user, Theodore McKenzie, describing it as “the most god-awful ad I’ve seen this year.” The backlash was fueled by the ad’s use of generative AI, showcasing bizarre animations and an unsettling aesthetic that many found off-putting.
Viewers were particularly irked by the ad’s underlying message that Christmas is unfulfilling unless celebrated at McDonald’s. The AI-generated content depicted negative holiday experiences—bad weather, heavy traffic, and culinary disasters—while a warped version of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” played in the background, further amplifying the discontent.
In the wake of the uproar, the production company behind the ad, The Sweetshop, attempted to defend their work. CEO Melanie Bridge claimed that the commercial was the result of a “high-craft production,” involving intensive efforts from ten in-house AI specialists over seven weeks. Bridge argued that the project was “evidence of something much bigger” in the intersection of technology and creativity.
Despite The Sweetshop’s defense, the sentiment online remained overwhelmingly negative. The ad’s removal sets a concerning precedent for the advertising industry regarding the use of AI in creative content. This incident follows a trend where major brands like Coca-Cola and Disney have also faced scrutiny for their AI-generated campaigns.
As viewers continue to share the reuploaded video, the implications for McDonald’s and similar companies are significant. The backlash highlights a growing public sensitivity towards AI’s role in media and a demand for authentic, human-driven storytelling, especially during the holiday season.
What’s next? McDonald’s and The Sweetshop will need to address the fallout from this incident, as consumer trust hangs in the balance. The advertising world is watching closely to see how this will affect future campaigns and the overall approach to AI-generated content in marketing.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
