Millions of the little orange Clementines and mandarins, grown right here in the San Joaquin Valley, could soon be offered in Happy Meals at McDonald's restaurants across the country as part of a bold new cross-branding agreement between the iconic restaurant chain and Sun Pacific Marketing, a grower and marketer of California citrus, table grapes and tomatoes -- and the exclusive distributor of Cuties.
"I think it's great on so many levels," said Julie Lucido, the CEO and art director of Marketing Plus, a creative marketing agency based in Fresno with a client list packed with producers and marketers of fresh fruit and other agricultural products.
It's great for McDonald's, Lucido said, because it sends a strong message that the chain is continuing to listen to customers -- especially parents -- who want to see a range of healthy options on the menu.
And it's good for Sun Pacific because it could seriously raise the public profile of the already popular fresh fruit brand -- and in a best-case scenario, transform Cuties into a global product, available year-round.
According to multiple sources, if the partnership works out as planned, the Cuties/Happy Meal program will run from late November through March at participating restaurants.
While the details are still in flux, Happy Meal customers would likely have the option of choosing a Cutie, apple slices or yoghurt.
The easy-to-peel, mostly seedless Cuties would also be offered ala carte, that is, customers would be able to purchase them individually to accompany any meal.
Test marketing Cuties in McDonald's restaurants began last winter in Austin, Texas, confirmed Lisa McComb, director of media relations for McDonald's. But the McDonald's spokeswoman asked The Californian to hold the story about the Cuties/Happy Meals deal -- for a month -- saying the details remain subject to change and that franchise holders would have to first approve the plan before it goes nationwide.
Sources dried up after the fast-food giant became aware a reporter was chasing the story. A scheduled interview with a Sun Pacific executive never materialized Thursday. But sources at Sun Pacific and its ad agency earlier made it clear they were excited about the deal.
