Hi Kelly! Thanks so much for being a part of the McDonald's rebranding initiative. Like we spoke about on the phone, we want to bring Ronald McDonald's into the 21st century. He should appeal to millennials and post-millennials alike, so don't be afraid to get creative and really let loose with your design. We want McDonald's to feel hip and young. Think EDM, Twitter, even Grindr – nothing's too out there. Let your freak flag fly!
Justin
Hi Kelly! So we just looked over your preliminary sketches and it looks like you just drew Ronald McDonald with a pair of sunglasses and a brand-ambiguous smart phone. Seriously, don't worry about going too far – this is a 21st century McDonald's. Think EDM, Twitter, even Grindr – really go for it. Thanks Kelly!
Justin
Hi Kelly! Just saw your revised sketches – looking great! We love your “Ru Paul as a Man” Ronald concept – it totally read. The trendy eyeglasses, the sharp suit – all of that works. But really push it, Kelly. This is the next generation of McDonald's. Maybe incorporate something to do with EDM, Twitter, or even Grindr. Get creative with it! Thanks Kel!
Justin
Kelly! These new sketches are great. Ronald McDonald kissing another man is exactly what we want for the new Ronald McDonald – thanks for thinking outside the box on that one. One thing I thought about at lunch – why are we calling him Ronald? Maybe there's a more millenial-friendly name we can use. Skyler? Dustin? Please feel free to explore further.
One quick thing – Legal is worried that gay kissing isn't family friendly – can we maybe tone it down to gay holding hands? Also, why is Ronald African American? We're trying to avoid “race” issues. Please adjust and then get back to me.
Justin
Kelly, these sketches are phenomenal. I really think we're close. Skyler McDonald is looking very on fleek – I couId totally see myself running into him at a gay pride parade ;) I love the “#McDonalds” on his tank top, too. So bae.
One thing I'm worried about is that we're losing the “Skyler-ness” of it – it feels too cluttered. Let's simplify and lose some things and re-double our focus on the brand. If that's a little unclear, feel free to play around with it. Thanks Kel!
Justin
Hi there Kelly! Yes. This. Is. Everything. I think we're only two or three or maybe even four revisions away. I love how buff Skyler is looking – it's Chris Pratt meets RDJ! A thought I had at LA Fitness this morning is that maybe we're not being female-inclusive – why does Skyler have to be gay? Yes, there's literally nothing “gay” about Skyler right now, other than his insanely faggy voice I'm imagining, but I can't help but feel that 2015 is the Year of Women, you know? Think Bridesmaids and Amy Schumer with this next one, but more fit and athletic, obviously.
Justin
Kelly! I feel like we're on two different pages. Skyler McDonald is not working for me. She's definitely sexy as all hell, but I feel like we're way off target on the original mission statement of appealing to millennials. Let's get her out of that sexy cocktail dress and into a sexy clown outfit, like Harley Quinn in the Suicide Squad movie. But keep in mind she needs to be funny and relatable while still being fit and athletic. Let's give her a solid improv background at one of the major theaters. Sound cool?
Justin
Kelly, I'm sorry for being all over the place, but I feel like you're not listening to me. Who is Skyler McDonald at her core? Answer: she's a millenial. She's who she is and she's not afraid to be fierce. She's not a woman - she's a man. Why won't you let her be the gender that she feels on the inside? I'm frankly offended you could be this transphobic in the year 2015. Please tweet an apology and get back to me with the latest revision.
Justin
Kelly, I saw the new Skyler McDonald and I can't even! This has all the feels. That's what I'm gonna say to you in one more revision. The sunglasses have to go, as does the iPhone, unfortunately – props to Legal for pointing out that we can't have another company's product and logo in our advertisements. Why are we married to the name Skyler again? Let's get even more millenial with it. Think outside the box ;)
Justin
Kelly, I'm afraid we're going to have to let you go. Your transphobic depictions of Ronald McDonald are all over Gawker, and the comment section is calling for blood. Frankly, I agree with them. It's amazing in the year 2015 you'd be so entrenched in your own white privilege that you'd draw Yet Another Straight White Man as Ronald McDonald. That's not what McDonald's is about. When I leaked your drawings, I couldn't have imagined it would lead to you losing your freelance job. But the outpouring of outrage on Tumblr makes me positive that I'm doing the right thing. I'd wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors, but I don't want to empower a hateful bigot like yourself. Get bent, Kelly. Get bent for good.
Justin