McDonald's Removes 'Creepy' AI Christmas Ad After Outcry

McDonald's recently faced significant backlash after releasing an AI-generated Christmas ad that many viewers found unsettling. The 45-second commercial, which initially premiered on the company's Netherlands YouTube channel, was set to the popular holiday song "It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." However, the lyrics were altered to reflect a more negative tone, changing it to "the most terrible time of the year." The ad depicted absurd holiday scenarios, such as a Christmas tree exploding in a living room and Santa Claus causing a traffic jam.

The response from the public was swift and largely negative. McDonald's initially removed comments from the video before eventually making it private days later. This move came after the ad sparked widespread criticism online, with many users expressing discomfort and dissatisfaction with the content.

A Statement from McDonald's

In a statement provided to Fox News Digital, McDonald's confirmed the removal of the AI-generated ad. The company explained that the commercial was created for its Netherlands branch but was taken down due to the negative reception.

"The commercial was produced for McDonald’s Netherlands, but we have decided to remove our AI-generated Christmas advert," a spokesperson said. "It was intended to reflect the stressful moments that can occur during the holidays in the Netherlands, but we recognize that for many of our guests, the season is 'the most wonderful time of the year.' We respect that and remain committed to creating experiences that offer Good Times and Good Food for everyone. This moment serves as an important learning as we explore the effective use of AI."

Despite the removal, clips of the ad circulated widely on social media, drawing mostly negative feedback. Many viewers felt the ad missed the mark, failing to capture the spirit of the holidays.

Public Reaction and Criticism

The ad received harsh criticism from various individuals, including film critics and commentators. Richard Roeper, a well-known film critic, wrote, "If they were going for creepy, depressing, deeply unfunny, clumsily shot, poorly edited, and inauthentic — nailed it!"

Daniel Horowitz, a contributor to The Blaze, commented, "AI slop is worse than the black death...a digital plague. At least the bubonic plague wasn't supported by my taxes or taking anyone's job."

Conservative commentator Matt Walsh expressed strong disapproval, stating, "It sucks. It's awful. There's no artistry. No wit. No charm. No warmth. No humanity. You can tell it's AI from a million miles away. I hate it. You should hate it. We should relentlessly mock and deride and bully anyone or any company that uses AI like this."

Actor Jon Cartwright also criticized the ad, saying, "Even ignoring all the slop this ad is so cynical and unfun."

Responses from the Advertising Agencies

The advertising agency TBWA and production company The Sweetshop, which created the ad, reportedly defended it in initial statements after its release. The Sweetshop CEO Melanie Bridge claimed that the project involved significant effort, stating, "The hours that went into this job far exceeded a traditional shoot. Ten people, five weeks, full-time. Blood, sweat, tears, and an honestly ridiculous amount of coaxing to get the models to behave and to honor the creative brief shot by shot," according to The New York Post.

Fox News Digital reached out to both TBWA and The Sweetshop for further comment.

Similar Issues with Other Companies

Coca-Cola also faced similar backlash in 2024 after releasing an AI-constructed ad for Christmas. The company created a new AI-generated ad as part of its "Holidays are Coming" campaign in November. This incident highlights the growing concerns surrounding the use of artificial intelligence in advertising, particularly when it fails to resonate with audiences.

As companies continue to experiment with AI in their marketing strategies, the challenge remains to create content that is both innovative and emotionally engaging. The experience with McDonald's and Coca-Cola serves as a reminder that while technology can offer new possibilities, it must be used thoughtfully to maintain consumer trust and connection.