Promotions: Shining Again for Mcdonald’s

Back in 1969 and 1970, Andrew Hugh McLaughlin flipped hamburgers at a McDonald’s restaurant in Mount Lebanon, Pa., and it made him realize he wanted to do more with his life. He did. Today McLaughlin, 30, is a physician in Ohio. Now he and 16 other former McDonald’s workers who have risen beyond Big Macs are about to become somewhat famous too. Starting in April, a new McDonald’s TV commercial will feature them in scenes from their current jobs, wearing caps like the ones they wore under the golden arches. McLaughlin might be seen, stethoscope in hand, listening to a patient’s heartbeat. United / Airlines Copilot Tom Losasso, 45, who worked for McDonald’s while at Colorado State College, will be at the controls of a Boeing 767.

McDonald’s chose its McStars from 7,500 alumni who responded to newspaper ads placed by the company in January. Each will be paid the standard screen actor’s fee of $317.40 plus residuals. Fame or success in high-powered careers was not required for selection: an electric company lineman, a barber and a flight attendant are among the chosen. To promote burgers but not burgomasters, all politicians were eliminated from contention. That knocked out Tulsa Mayor Terry Young.