McDonald’s has launched a limited-time Pokémon Happy Meal promotion that includes a themed box design, a Pokémon Trading Card Game booster pack, a poster, and a sticker sheet. The booster pack contains four of 15 available trading cards. The burger chain is tapping into the hype surrounding the popular Pokémon Trading Card Game with this launch.
Each Happy Meal ordered through the McDonald’s app will unlock an in-game bonus for the Pokémon TCG Pocket app. Players of the Pokémon Go mobile game can also visit sponsored PokéStops or Gyms at McDonald’s restaurants in the U.S.
Guillaume Huin, senior marketing director at McDonald’s, said in press details, “There’s nothing more exciting than when we can bring campaigns to our fans with partners that we’re fans of ourselves. Much like they do for McDonald’s, our fans have deep nostalgia and love for the Pokémon brand.”
The Pokémon Happy Meal is available nationwide starting Jan.
21.
Pokémon Happy Meal promotion details
Each box features one of four designs with popular Pokémon characters such as Charizard, Pikachu, Dragonite, Rayquaza, and Roaring Moon.
This initiative could help McDonald’s increase app downloads and collect valuable first-party data. The activation runs during specific weeks until March, including Jan. 20-26, Feb.
10-16, and March 10-16. The included cards are highly sought after, with individual booster packs selling for around six dollars. Particularly coveted are the holographic cards in the “Dragon Discovery” set, like Pikachu, which are fetching up to $30 each at the time of writing.
This collaboration sees McDonald’s aligning with other marketers who have previously teamed up with Pokémon Go, continuing its strategy of combining cultural connections and nostalgia to engage consumers.
