Super Bowl Ad Features Girl With Down Syndrome
A third-grader with Down syndrome will be front and center on advertising’s biggest night of the year as part of a television commercial for McDonald’s.
Grace Ramsburg, 8, will be included in a one-minute TV spot for the fast-food chain alongside her brother, Adam, and father, Dale.
The commercial features restaurant customers stunned to learn that McDonald’s will be asking for nothing more than “lovin'” as a form of payment from select diners through Feb. 14.
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The Naperville, Ill. family is seen embracing after being told “your total is one big family hug” in the ad that was filmed in December at two Chicago-area McDonald’s locations.
“All of the customers in our Super Bowl spot were random customers who had no idea they were being filmed to be in a commercial, let alone our Super Bowl commercial, until after the filming. So, this family was not specifically chosen but we’re thrilled they stopped into their local McDonald’s on that day to take part in this special commercial that is all about lovin’ our customers,” Lisa McComb, director of media relations for McDonald’s, told Disability Scoop.
The commercial will air during the first half of Sunday’s matchup between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks and for two weeks following the game, McComb said.
Grace’s mom, Holly Ramsburg, said the family just learned Thursday that they would be included in the Super Bowl ad. She’s not sure if Grace grasps the enormity of it, but said she’s overwhelmed.
“There’s still misunderstanding and there’s still judgement,” Holly Ramsburg said of having a daughter with Down syndrome. “I feel like everyday when we go out and we’re able to get her face out there and get her personality out there it is wonderful.”
More than 111 million people watched the Super Bowl last year, according to Nielsen. Thirty-second spots during this year’s game reportedly cost $4.5 million dollars.
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