Thesun 2009-02-05 Page19 New Lunch Deals From Mcdonalds

theSun

19

| THURSDAY FEBRUARY 5 2009

media & marketing

New lunch deals from McDonald’s by S.Tamarai Chelvi [email protected]

FROM today, McDonald’s patrons can enjoy close to 30% savings for selected products from its McValue Meal line-up between noon and 3pm on weekdays at almost all McDonald’s restaurants nationwide (except at airports and in Genting Highlands). This follows the launch of its McValue Lunch deals which are designed to help consumers save and stretch their ringgit in the face of economically challenging times. The McValue Lunch deal offers best-selling McChicken, Filet-O-Fish, Chicken McNuggets and Double Cheeseburger McValue Meals at only RM5.95 per meal (not including tax). The normal price of these meals range from RM8.95 to RM9.45. (McChicken – RM9.25; Double Cheeseburger – RM9.45; Chicken McNuggets – RM9.35; Filet-O-Fish – RM8.95) All McValue Lunch meals come with medium-sized french fries and medium-sized carbonated drink. Customers can, however, upgrade to large size french fries and a carbonated drink for an additional RM1.20. “Our customers will get to

enjoy the same great-tasting products with fast and friendly service, but at a more attractive price – which surely translates into great value,” said McDonald’s managing director Azmir Jaafar. “Sceptics may rest assured, that we do not and will not compromise on quality of our meals despite lowering our value meal prices by almost 30%.” Azmir said the restaurant chain strictly complies with all food quality and safety standards at all times. He said 2009 is widely feared to be an extremely challenging year with the global financial crisis and economic slowdown, leading corporations to embark on austerity drives to contain costs while consumers are practising frugality in their daily lives. “We fully understand that people are now looking for products and services that offer the best value for money, in order to stretch every ringgit,” he said. “This is why we’ve embarked on an on-going strategic campaign to help ease the burden of consumers. “Despite the gloomy outlook, there are always the simple pleasures of life that can still

Etihad Airways to focus on brand awareness WHILE it has seen positive and encouraging growth in terms of numbers and awards, Etihad Airways, one of the youngest airline companies, still positions branding efforts as one of its challenges and priorities this year. “We need to get ourselves out in the market. The world-class products are there but it is about how to get awareness as a whole,” Etihad Airways country manager Adam Phillips (pix) said. To achieve this, Phillips plans to use marketing efforts and public relations, zooming in on the relationship with the media in Malaysia which is one of the two-year-old airline’s 50 destinations. Etihad has taken part in the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Fair and the recent Expat Expo, where they let visitors experience the world-class award-winning Pearl Class seat and the Diamond Class seat as part of their onthe-ground marketing. “We want to get them on the aircraft and we’re looking into making this part of our strategy, allowing them to experience the rare product offerings we have

worldwide,” Phillips said. The local media has also been given an exclusive tour onboard Etihad’s A340-600 airbus which has 180 degree-flat-bed reclining seats in the Diamond First Class and Pearl Business Class, and more than 500 channels of in-flight entertainment for its Coral Economy Class passengers. “On a global scale, at Etihad, we try to make an impact where passengers are not passengers but guests in a chauffeured product. We hope, in time, it will come to Malaysia,” Phillips said. Etihad takes pride in its position as “one of the world’s leading airlines that delivers a luxury product to its customers”. “Our services are of premium products, for example we introduced an F&B manager who gives recommendations of meals to our guests,” Phillips said. “It’s what we are – not about delivering our present product but about meeting our guests’ needs.” Last year, the airline registered six million passengers, up from 4.7 million in 2007. – marketing-interactive.com

Azmir and McDonald’s marketing, corporate communication & consumer/business insights vice-president Stephen Chew pose with Ronald McDonald at the launch of McValue Lunch.

bring great enjoyment, without breaking the bank.” “We are glad to be able to do our part in making these challenging times easier for consumers,” said Azmir. McValue Lunch deals are not available on public holidays or through the McDelivery fast service system.