Duke Mascot Bobble Head Available Beginning February 10 At McDonald's

Feb. 7, 2003

With a nod to sports figure "bobbing head" dolls that first appeared forty years ago, McDonald's revs up the ACC rivalry with a unique collection of team mascot bobble heads featuring Duke's "Blue Devil," UNC's "Ram," and NC State's "Wolf."

Beginning February 10, ACC fans all across the Triangle and Fayetteville area can join the fun craze and show their team spirit by collecting their favorite mascot bobble head at participating McDonald's restaurants. As the ACC Tournament draws near and excitement builds as the teams battle it out, who will win their proverbial "bobble head night?" Which bobble will be the biggest seller?

This is the first time the three schools have ever done a special team mascot bobble head promotion together. In addition to sports fans, avid collectors are positively heady with anticipation for the exclusive limited series dolls that feature each mascot with a miniature replica of their home stadiums. So the "Blue Devil," for example, will stand inside Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium.

"McDonald's is delighted to add fun to the entire restaurant experience-for adults, teens, young people, families -- everyone," said Ric Richards, a local McDonald's restaurant owner/operator. "We think local sports fans and the community will enjoy these high quality, unique bobbles that are the hottest new collectors' items," Richards added.

The hand-painted bobble will sell for $5.99 each with any McDonald's purchase while supplies last. There is no limit per person. Made of poly-resin, and measuring approximately 6 and one half inches high, the mascot bobbles were designed exclusively for McDonald's by Alliance Marketing Partners (AMP) of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. The sports marketing company currently has a patent pending for their unique rendition.

McDonald's will launch a promotional campaign February 10 to coincide with the sale of the team mascot bobble heads with a 15-second television spot and 30-second radio spot airing in support of the program. In addition, local play-by-play announcers Woody Durham (UNC), Gary Hahn (NSCU) and Bob Harris (Duke) will engage in McDonald's team mascot bobble banter on their radio network game broadcasts statewide.

Why the bobbing head brouhaha? According to James Robinson, Managing Director of AMP, "For the last two years, bobble heads have been the hottest promotional product since beanie babies, causing an explosion of online auction sales that had some vintage bobbles selling for as much as $1,800."

Sports-related bobbles are particularly popular with baseball, football, NASCAR, basketball, golf, hockey and soccer celebrity characters in abundance. Collectors have widely credited ESPN with igniting the craze a few years ago with their series of television commercials featuring the wobblers.

McDonald's ACC Team Mascot Bobble Heads will be in great company as they become immortalized on collectors' shelves over the years. Some of the more unusual bobbing head dolls that have been produced are: Willie Mays, Howdy Doody, Mr. Potato Head, Popeye, and Sea Biscuit the racehorse.

McDonald's is the world's leading foodservice retailer, with more than 30,000 restaurants serving over 46 million people each day in 121 countries. Approximately 85 percent of McDonald's North Carolina restaurants are owned and operated by independent local businessmen and women. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com.

Duke Mascot Bobble Head Available Beginning February 10 At McDonald's

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