What McDonald's mascot was introduced in 1963 by local Washington, D.C., advertising?

Ronald McDonald was introduced in 1963 through local Washington, D.C., advertising.

The character first appeared in television commercials made for the Washington, D.C., market. Willard Scott, then a local television personality, played the early version of Ronald McDonald. The character wore a costume built from McDonald's products, including a drink cup, a tray, and a hamburger-shaped hat.

McDonald's later refined Ronald's appearance and promoted him nationally. He became the central figure in children's advertising and eventually appeared with characters from the McDonaldland fictional setting. The character's red hair, yellow clothing, and striped outfit made him visually distinct from the restaurant's earlier Speedee mascot.

The year 1963 is sometimes confused with the launch of McDonaldland, which came later. Ronald McDonald predates that broader group of advertising characters and was initially introduced as a stand-alone mascot.