By Ray Pride Pride@moviecitynews.com
[PR] Taming the Bee within
No one knows why North American bees are dying, but here’s why The Bee Movie is thriving: From over the transom, McDonald’s would like us to know about the recent event promoting their tie-ins for Jerry Seinfeld’s The Bee Movie, with a guest appearance by Jeffrey Katzenberg to increase awareness about the educational aspects of selling both lines of product while also learning how to “Bee Good to the Planet.” “McDonald’s® Launches DreamWorks’ Bee Movie™ Global Happy Meal® Promotion Extends Environmental Partnership with Conservation International to Reach Children Worldwide,” the release is headed, pitching a successor to the Shrek the Third™ Happy Meal. “Beginning October 26 at McDonald’s restaurants in North America and rolling out around the globe through the end of the year, McDonald’s Bee Movie Happy Meal program features exclusive characters from DreamWorks’ upcoming Bee Movie film from creator Jerry Seinfeld. McDonald’s continues the fun online to reinforce the movie’s environmental message with eco-friendly tips provided by its long-time partner, Conservation International. Kids around the world are being invited to take the “Bee Good to the Planet” pledge at both happymeal.com and conservation.org and get active in protecting the environment.” Notably, “McDonald’s is celebrating the arrival of the “Bee Movie” with a “Barry Approved” campaign. The promotion showcases Chicken McNuggets™ made with white meat and the movie’s main character, Barry B. Benson, on Apple Dippers (fresh, peeled apple slices with optional low-fat caramel dipping sauce) and low-fat white Milk Jugs served in child-friendly containers. The kids’ digital community encouraging kids to make “eco-pledges” to protect the environment, will be available in English in the U.S. on October 26 at www.happymeal.com.” In Canada, the Happy Meal will have characters on the packaging “with Apple Slices and Milk Cartons. Honeycomb-flavored Sippah™ straws will be available with the purchase of McDonald’s Milk Jugs. Also moms will be recognized for their heroic efforts through the “Queen Bee” sweepstakes… Australia: McDonald’s restaurants will have Bee Movie themed PlayLands… United Kingdom: McDonald’s UK will be launching a new pineapple and grape fruit bag featuring graphics from the Bee Movie. To highlight the importance of bees and the process of pollination to the environment, there will be an on the box competition for children called “Draw one, Plant one” that asks them to draw their own “bee friendly” flower. Each child who submits a flower drawing will receive a packet of flower seeds to plant.” [The complete release is below.]