Day 044 - 02 Nov 94 - Page 69


     
     1        the one we showed there.
     2
     3   Q.   Why would you not show them in a McDonald's box?
     4        A.  They are puppets and they are characters.  I think the
     5        box was appropriate for the character.  In fact, the whole
     6        pun talked about, I think, Ronald sitting in a box as well.
     7
     8   Q.   So if you did have the actual McDonald's box, would that be
     9        misleading, if you actually showed the McDonald's box,
    10        would that be misleading children into thinking that in
    11        reality these Nuggetts would jump up and down?
    12        A.  I do not think so.  I do not believe that children
    13        actually believe that these are what they get in the
    14        restaurant.  They believe that these are puppets,
    15        impressions of the food they may get in the restaurant.
    16
    17   Q.   So why would you not put the actual box then?
    18        A.  I think this particular prop was created so that it
    19        would look in context with where Ronald is sat, similar to
    20        what Ronald is doing if I remember correctly.
    21
    22   Q.   I think you will find if you look at the ad that it is a
    23        McDonald's box.  It says "Chicken McNuggetts" on it.
    24        McJordans, this is the one adult one that was thrown in?
    25        A.  Yes, I am not sure why it was on that reel, but that is
    26        an adult advertisement.
    27
    28   Q.   Maybe one reason it found its way incongruously in there
    29        is, presumably, the purpose of that ad is to associate
    30        McDonald's food with a sporting achievement?
    31        A.  No, that is not true.  It is to associate with Michael
    32        Jordan himself and people who like Michael Jordan.
    33
    34   Q.   Why do people like Michael Jordan?
    35        A.  Because he is a great MBA basketball star.
    36
    37   Q.   Right, a sporting achievement.  Are you aware that the
    38        McJordan Special, as far as I could see, is probably the
    39        most unhealthy combination of any single item I have seen
    40        at McDonald's.  It had burger, bacon.  I think it was very
    41        high in fat and sodium and saturated fat.  Why would you
    42        want to associate a particularly unhealthy product with a
    43        sporting achievement star?
    44
    45   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  You must not assume too much.  You first all
    46        have to ask him whether he accepts it is unhealthy.  You
    47        cannot ask him to assume it is unhealthy just so you can
    48        ask that question.  If he says it is not unhealthy, then
    49        that is the end of that and, again, it is a matter for
    50        comment.  You can persuade me it is unhealthy, but it 
    51        happens to be a McDonald's product so ---- 
    52 
    53   MR. MORRIS:  I do not think we looked at this.
    54
    55   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  --- they have put it in the hand of someone
    56        who is superb athlete to pretend it is not unhealthy, if
    57        that is your argument, but you can only go so far with
    58        Mr. Green in the witness box.
    59
    60   MR. MORRIS:  We do not have a nutritionist from America coming

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