International Women's Day: McDonald's flips its golden arches upside down 'in celebration of women everywhere'
But, not everyone's happy
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McDonald’s is flipping its famous golden arches upside down to celebrate International Women’s Day.
A branch of the fast food chain in Lynwood, California, has turned the iconic logo on its head to honour women everywhere.
But the gesture goes far beyond Mcdonald’s outdoor signs. In fact, it will also turn its logo into a symbol for International Women’s Day on all its digital channels, including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
What’s more, around 100 branches of McDonald's across America have also been given special packaging, staff t-shirts and hats, and bag stuffers to celebrate the day.
“In celebration of women everywhere, and for the first time in our brand history, we flipped our iconic arches for International Women's Day in honour of the extraordinary accomplishments of women everywhere and especially in our restaurants,” McDonald's global chief diversity officer, Wendy Lewis, told Business Insider.
“From restaurant crew and management to our C-suite of senior leadership, women play invaluable roles at all levels and together with our independent franchise owners we're committed to their success.”
But while some welcomed the fast food chain’s move others branded it “a cheap PR stunt.”
“Incredible, now give your workers a living wage,” one person wrote.
Another added: “Hey Mcdonald’s, maybe instead of a cheap PR stunt where you make the M a W to ‘support’ women, you do something real - like paying your workers a living wage.”
McDonald’s isn’t the only brand whose attempt to tap into International Women’s Day has fallen somewhat flat though.
Craft brew giant BrewDog released its new Pink IPA - a newly labelled version of their Punk IPA - as a way to “satirically” address the gender pay gap in the UK.
But the Scottish beer company is now being criticised online for its attempt at humorous marketing - releasing a new pink “beer for girls” which will be sold to women for a lower price than men.
Despite pledging to sell the pink beer a fifth cheaper in its bars to those who “identify as women”, with men paying full price, many think the brand may have missed the mark.
On Twitter, one person responded to the campaign with the question: “How does copying sexism subvert it?”
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