McDonald’s has a long history of tear jerkers in its ad reel. This one, Forever Young, directed by tempomedia’s Alex Feil, may trump them all. And it’s a real story.

McDonald’s is celebrating its 60th anniversary in Germany. Leo Burnett’s new agency, Leo’s thjnk tank, formed from Thjnk and Leo Burnett, seized the moment to acknowledge the credentials of the older generation (which, by the way, is also the world’s fastest growing target market) and Maccas as the older fast food chain…

…through a 90 second film portrait of real life, and hugely famous Russian clown, Oleg Popov. Popov, “The Sunshine Clown”, is one of the most popular circus performers of the 20th century and still performs to standing ovations today, at the age of 84.

The film’s connection to Maccas is the surprise at the end, which makes its message so much more powerful. That’s how the ad’s tagline, “When you make people happy, you never get old,” becomes inextricably (and memorably) linked to both the clown and the brand.

Outside Germany, Alex Feil is represented by Believe Media.

Creative Credits:

Agency: Leo’s thjnk tank

Chief creative officers: Armin Jochum & Andreas Pauli

Creative directors: Torben Otten & Georg Baur

TV producers: Thomas Nabbefeld & Marcus Wetschewald

Director: Alex Feil

Production company: tempomedia filmproduction

DoP: Antonio Palladino

Producers: Vera Portz & Justin Mundhenke

Music: Supreme Music