“My Petaluma” video copies Petaluma McDonalds’ Commercial

McDonalds Commercial

UPDATE May 21, 2015: Posted by Argus Courier just three days after our post,  ‘Take two’ on McDonald’s Petaluma commercial

A few days ago a new video was introduced by Chris Cathcart Films called “My Petaluma” with over 700 views already after just a few days of posting it. We were very eager to check it out.  After watching it we said “Right on! that was great.”  We couldn’t wait to share it.  But it had a hint of something.  We watched it a few more times, and yep – it was the Petaluma McDonald’s commercial turned local.  As you know there was a pretty tremendous controversy recently over the Petaluma McDonalds commercial.  If you missed it before, our post The #Petaluma McDonalds TV Spot Commercial is Released! was on the news – which stirred a strong reaction from the community.   Following that we posted Is Any Publicity Good Publicity for #Petaluma? McDonalds Commercial Revisited.

LagunitasWe think this new video “My Petaluma” is a response, or a counter, to the Petaluma McDonald’s Commercial. We think this was our town’s way to express what the video portrays as “truly local.” a “Made In Petaluma” statement. Even though the two McDonalds franchises in town are owned by local business owners people don’t identify with the McDonalds’ brand as being “local.”  People don’t identify with the large food chain as being “who we are” as a people and we don’t want others to think that their brand is anything close to identifying with our city or culture. There is even a contingent that does not even think east Petaluma has anything to do with the west side, and both McDonald’s are on the east side of town.  Several have said, even though the two McDonald’s are in Petaluma, the video portrayed it as being downtown (which as we know – they aren’t).

Clover EggsWhile we much prefer the “My Petaluma” version of these videos, we are putting them side by side so you can see just how close they are.  From the script, the scene changes, music etc… they are very very similar.  There is no mistake about it – this is video was produced as a response to the Petaluma McDonald’s commercial.

My Petaluma By Chris Cathcart:

Petaluma McDonalds commercial:

Chris was obviously very passionate about this subject by his facebook posts.

CLICK PAGE 2 TO SEE HIS FACEBOOK POSTS THAT WERE PERTAINING TO THESE TWO VIDEOS

Is Any Publicity Good Publicity for #Petaluma? McDonalds Commercial Revisited

We wish to thank everyone for making the comments they did on our post The #Petaluma McDonalds TV Spot Commercial is Released!  We have had nearly 40,000 views of our post with 17 comments.  We disagree with any of them that are attacks on the Petaluma Downtown Association (PDA).  We agree with many of the comments suggesting we should choose local restaurants who use local ingredients, and I can’t think of a bigger supporter for that than the PDA.  I have never seen a post from the PDA suggesting to eat your next meal at McDonalds (its always a local non-franchised restaurant).  They do a fantastic job for this city and we are absolutely sure that many of the commentators have enjoyed the great many events the PDA puts on each year that helps to bolster our local economy.  Yesterday NBC Bay Area posted an update on the commercial ‘McDonald’s Commercial Featuring Petaluma Sparks Uproar From Residents’.  Does this constitute and uproar?  In it they show our website as shown in the photo above. They also used our photo for the icon/thumbnail for it.  Most important it included what Marie McCusker had to say to respond to the so called “uproar.”

This commercial stirred a healthy discussion and also at the same time gave our city a lot of exposure across the country including our opinions which is very important.  Others across the nation know how Petaluman’s feel about the commercial.

We were at this McDonalds location in the last six months.  There we met a retired Petaluma man who had lost his wife and was on a fixed income.  He told me his wife used to do the cooking and he could not afford to eat at other restaurants. This McDonalds location was in walking distance from his house. He seemed to be enjoying his breakfast.  We may not identify McDonalds with Petaluma and it may not be the healthiest choice, but he was as much a Petaluman than anyone we have met.

CLICK PAGE TWO TO SEE THE NBC VIDEO COVERAGE AND THE THE JIM GAFFIGAN’S COMEDY BIT ON McDONALDS.