Okay, it’s technically not a BHM-related topic, but Adweek reported on Disney’s decision to lay off 7,000 employees. For some reason, the trade publication illustrated the story with a photo from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever—as if Queen Ramonda decreed the dismissals.
The USPS issued Kwanzaa Forever Stamps designed by Art Director Antonio Alcalá with original artwork from Erin Robinson.
Amazing that the USPS has not yet released Wakanda Forever Stamps.
Oh, look! Party City has Black Panther party stuff—the perfect props for CMO Julie Roehm’s farewell bash.
Not sure how Chicken Licken managed to get away with a copyright-violating parody of Wakanda Forever—Ya’hunga Forever—created by Joe Public in South Africa…?!
Avengers—And Attorneys—Assemble!
Advertising Age spotlighted the new Mickey D’s commercial for Wakanda Forever Happy Meals. The trade publication pointed out that the Black Panther franchise features “a Black superhero while using a majority Black cast and Black director, Ryan Coogler.” Additionally, the McPromotion presents a totally Black cast. Yet the commercial was produced by DDB Chicago, a White advertising agency.
Wakanda Forever? In Adland, it’s Whites Forever.
Start rooting for the superpowers of Byron Allen.
See McDonald’s Black Panther Happy Meal Ad
Each meal comes with a toy based on characters in the Marvel movie
By E.J. Schultz
Editor’s Pick
McDonald’s is the latest brand feeding into the Black Panther frenzy ahead of the Nov. 11 release of the sequel, called “Wakanda Forever.” The fast food giant today announced new Wakanda Forever Happy Meals. Each meal includes one toy based on characters from the Marvel movie, including Shuri, Okoye, Namor and Ironheart.
A new ad from DDB Chicago plugs the meals. It includes a cast of Black children who express admiration for superheroes who look “just like me.” That theme plays into the groundbreaking nature of the Black Panther franchise, which has been celebrated for its portrayal of a Black superhero while using a majority Black cast and Black director, Ryan Coogler.
Jennifer Healan, VP of U.S. marketing, brand content and engagement at McDonald’s, in a statement said Black Panther “set a whole new standard for representation on the big screen. And now, we’re excited to bring that experience to our restaurants and help fans see and celebrate their inner hero with this new Happy Meal—because seeing is believing.”
Wieden+Kennedy remains McDonald’s lead creative agency, but the chain still uses DDB for kids’ Happy Meal promotions.
The Black Panther meal follows last month’s wildly successful Cactus Plant Flea Market Box, which involved W+K and used the Happy Meal approach to target adults via a partnership with a buzzy streetwear brand.
The Black Panther meals follow the more traditional Happy Meal script by partnering with a Hollywood blockbuster.
Other brands sponsoring the sequel include Sprite, Lexus and Mastercard.
The 2019 Academy Awards presents decent Black representation in the top categories. This is the year, however, where outstanding Black and Black-themed films could have made it possible to stage an all-Black Best Picture lineup:
Black Panther
BlacKkKlansman
Blindspotting
Green Book
If Beale Street Could Talk
Sorry To Bother You
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse
And since every year has at least one WTF entry, the final slot would be a toss-up between the following:
Whitney
Widows
A Wrinkle In Time
Finally, such a lineup might have inspired Kevin Hart to rethink his rejection to host.
Disney presents a Black Panther Black History Month with a $1.5 million UNCF donation and free movie tickets. Wakanda forever! Or at least through February.
