McDonald’s is bringing the heat this holiday season with a unique collaboration, teaming up with Doodles—a wildly popular NFT project turned media franchise. With its roots in the world of Web3 and NFTs, Doodles has quickly grown into a multi-faceted brand, and now, it’s set to make a splash in McDonald’s stores nationwide. Ready for some festive fun? Here’s everything you need to know about this exciting partnership!
A Bold Move: McDonald’s Partners with Doodles for Collector Cups and Digital Surprises
Starting November 18th, McDonald’s is unveiling a new line of limited-edition McCafé x Doodles Holiday Cups, combining the beloved warmth of a holiday coffee with the playful, colorful world of Doodles. The cups will feature exclusive artwork from the Doodles universe, turning your cup of coffee into an art piece. But the excitement doesn’t stop there.
In addition to these cool, collectible cups, the collaboration comes with an interactive twist. McDonald’s is offering fans a chance to win digital wearables and animated content via the McDonald’s app, which will also feature a special “pack ripping” experience—yes, just like opening a collectible card pack! It’s the ultimate mash-up of fast food and digital culture, and fans of both McDonald’s and Doodles are in for a treat.
The #GMSpreadJoy campaign, launched across platforms like TikTok and Instagram, will feature challenges that encourage users to share their McCafé x Doodles moments, from sipping coffee in the new cups to exploring the digital content on the McDonald’s app. Talk about a holiday glow-up!
Doodles: From NFTs to Full-Blown Media Franchise
So, how did we get here? For those who may not know, Doodles started out as an NFT project on OpenSea in October 2021. But it didn’t take long for the colorful, whimsical characters from Doodles to capture the public’s attention. Soon, the project became one of the top sellers on OpenSea, with NFTs ranging in price from 2.85 ETH to a whopping 299 ETH—that’s a lot of crypto!
Fast forward to today, and Doodles has evolved far beyond the world of digital art. It’s a full-fledged media franchise with its own entertainment brand, a growing fanbase, and partnerships with major brands like Arizona Iced Tea, Adidas, and even Crocs. It’s also exploring other avenues, like the recently released animated film Dullsville and the Doodleverse, which premiered in September 2023.
In March 2023, Doodles officially pivoted away from being a pure NFT project and announced its transformation into a full-fledged media brand, marking a major moment in Web3 culture. The Doodles ecosystem now includes physical products, a burgeoning entertainment empire, and a community of loyal fans that includes big names like Pharrell Williams, who joined as Chief Brand Officer in 2022.
A Match Made in Digital Heaven: Why McDonald’s Chose Doodles
Why Doodles? According to Tariq Hassan, McDonald’s Chief Marketing Officer, the partnership with Doodles isn’t just about riding the wave of Web3 hype—it’s about tapping into something deeper. “We chose Doodles because they are an agent of change in the cultural landscape. Beyond digital assets, they are an entertainment brand with a fearless community that we can’t wait to interact with,” said Hassan.
For McDonald’s, partnering with a cutting-edge brand like Doodles is a way to connect with a younger, digitally savvy audience, while also bringing some fun and excitement to their tried-and-true McCafé line. This is all part of a larger effort to stay relevant in the ever-evolving landscape of pop culture and digital innovation.
The NFT Boom: How Doodles Found Success Beyond the Blockchain
Doodles’ journey from NFT startup to pop culture phenomenon has been nothing short of impressive. After its launch in 2021, the project quickly became one of the hottest names in the NFT space, thanks in part to its vibrant, approachable art style and its early embrace of community engagement. By June 2022, Doodles had crossed the half-million-dollar mark in secondary sales alone, solidifying its status as one of the leading NFT projects of the time.
But it wasn’t just about digital collectibles. Doodles was quick to realize that its community of fans and creators was the key to its success. Enter Pharrell Williams, who joined the project as Chief Brand Officer in 2022. Pharrell’s music and the contributions of artists like Lil Wayne, Coi Leray, and Lil Yachty brought an extra layer of cool to the Doodles brand, with tracks featuring in the Doodles animated film.
In September 2022, Doodles raised a whopping $54 million in funding, which valued the project at over $704 million. That money is being put to good use, as the brand continues to expand its presence in the world of entertainment, fashion, and beyond.
The Doodles Universe Expands: What’s Next for the Brand?
With its pivot to a full-fledged media franchise, the future is looking bright for Doodles. The animated film Dullsville and the Doodleverse is just the beginning, as the company has plans to build out a wide array of media properties and experiences for its growing fanbase. And now, with McDonald’s on board, Doodles is poised to reach an even wider audience.
The Doodles story is one of innovation, creativity, and community—and it’s only just beginning. With McDonald’s now involved, we can expect to see more crossovers, more interactive experiences, and maybe even more collaborations with other brands in the near future. The Doodles universe is truly expanding, and we’re all invited along for the ride.
So, whether you’re sipping your McCafé in a limited-edition Doodles cup or tearing into a digital pack on the McDonald’s app, there’s never been a better time to get in on the action. The future is looking colorful, and it’s all thanks to this fun and exciting partnership!
