Which advertising character became the face of McDonald’s family branding in the 1960s?

Ronald McDonald became the face of McDonald’s family branding in the 1960s.

The character debuted in a 1963 television commercial and was portrayed as a clown associated with the restaurant and its children’s audience. His bright costume and theatrical appearance made him easy to recognize in television advertising, appearances, and promotional materials.

Ronald McDonald helped move McDonald’s branding beyond food and restaurant architecture toward a larger fictional world of characters. That world later included figures such as Grimace, the Hamburglar, and Mayor McCheese.

Ronald is sometimes confused with Speedee, McDonald’s earlier hamburger-headed mascot. Speedee represented the original fast-service system, while Ronald became the company’s principal family-oriented advertising figure.