McDonald’s launches pop duo with EMI

McDonald’s and EMI are about to launch a new pop group based on an advertisement the fast-food chain screened earlier this year.

The boy and girl duo, called Gazebo, will sing a reggae version of the classic Singing in the Rain. The impetus for the single was a Leo Burnett ad in May, which is part of the chain’s Enjoy More campaign.

The two companies are understood to have earmarked a 1m budget to promote the pair, Dee Jacobee and Sean Andrews. The single will be released on September 29.

The song will be promoted and played in McDonald’s and HMV stores (which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EMI). The duo are also scheduled to make personal appearances around the country in both stores. McDonald’s will rerun the ads from September 22.

This is the first time McDonald’s has become involved with a new band. EMI commercial director Georgina Capp says: “We have been trying to get McDonald’s to work with us for about five years.”