On August 15th, 2016 the quick-service restaurant introduced the “Step-It,” a new activity tracker wristband created by McDonald’s that will be packaged with the chain’s Happy Meals for the next four weeks.
The toy is now available at all McDonald’s restaurants in both Canada and the U.S. The brand typically partners with movie studios and other IP holders to create toys that tie-in with popular movies and TV shows, but the Step-It is an original product created by the company.
McDonald’s Canada senior marketing manager Michelle McIlmoyle explained the new toy was the result of a pitch from one of the QSR’s agencies, Creata. The Step-It was inspired by popular fitness trackers aimed at adults such as the FitBit. Using this as a starting point, the agency helped McDonald’s create two simplified activity trackers designed to appeal to children.
McIlmoyle said the Step-It falls in line with the company’s general philosophy for its Happy Meal toys, which is to make toys that encourage either physical or imagination-based play. She added the release was timed to coincide with both the Olympics and summer break, when children have free time and physical activity is top of mind.
“Physical activity is important to everyone of all ages. We very much support children’s well-being,” she said. “Whether it’s our sponsorship of [the minor hockey program] atoMc in local markets or within our Happy Meals, our objective is always to provide a balance…we thought it was important to leverage a concept that brings that to life in an easy way.”
In recent years McDonald’s has made several moves to position the Happy Meal as a healthier option than it might have been seen as in the past. The QSR now uses all white meat in its Chicken McNuggets and offers apple slices and low-fat yogurt as side options.
McDonald’s Canada is promoting the Step-It toy with a campaign crafted by Cossette that includes TV and several online videos.
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