Muppets in global Happy Meals blitz

McDonald’s is teaming up with Jim Henson’s enduring Muppets characters for a global push of its Happy Meals range.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Muppet Show, eight of the characters, including Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and Fozzie Bear, will be available in McDonald’s outlets.

The promotion will be supported by national television advertising created by Leo Burnett. An online promotion, which includes downloadable Muppet games, will form part of the campaign.

As well as the UK, the campaign will run in Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East and South Africa throughout next year.

A McDonald’s spokesman says: “The iconic nature of the Muppets makes them a perfect partner for McDonald’s. The promotion won’t just appeal to the younger generations, but also to parents who have grown up watching them on TV.”

More than 150 Muppet licensees have been signed worldwide for the show’s anniversary. This year Kermit received a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, while Miss Piggy starred in the Virgin Upper Class TV ad campaign. And last week, Sky Premiere broadcast the first made-for-TV Muppet film. Next year, the characters will star in ads for MasterCard’s ongoing “Priceless” campaign.