McDonald's New Commercial Featuring Alan Shearer Throws It Back to A Classic 90s Advert

Fast-food giant McDonald’s just launched a new commercial with the English football pundit Alan Shearer as an ode to one of their classic adverts. 

In “McDonald’s Shearer Selfie 1x1,” the football star is swarmed by his fans asking to take selfies with him while a fan named Jackie tries to catch his attention.  

After several failed attempts, Jackie finally gets the opportunity to take a selfie with Shearer during her work shift at McDonald’s, when Shearer asks her how he can pay for his food using his McDonald’s Rewards Points. 

Jackie explains to him that he can use his rewards points by entering a code, scanning a QR in the kiosk, or donating it to charity all through the MyMcDonald’s Rewards App.  

Soon after, Jackie sends his selfie with Shearer to his dad – the same person who starred in Alan Shearer’s 1998 McDonald’s Advert as the fan boy working in the cashier. 

The nostalgic one-minute spot ends with the dad holding up Shearer’s autograph.  

Speaking on the spot, Shearer shares that his first “Signature” ad was a build-up to the 1998 World Cup, while he was a captain to England men’s team.  

“Times have changed since I shot the first advert with McDonald’s 25 years ago – I don’t get many people asking me for signatures anymore, now they’re all after selfies,” he added. 

Calling back to old advertisements is one strategy brands adopt to appeal to both old and new audiences, while introducing them to new products or offerings.  

McDonald’s latest spot also celebrates 100,000 meal donations made by customers in FareShare since the fast-food giant launched its MyMcDonald’s Rewards program last year.