Which McDonald's advertising character was introduced in 1963?

Ronald McDonald was introduced as a McDonald’s advertising character in 1963.

The character was created to give McDonald’s a memorable clown figure who could appeal especially to children. Early television appearances helped establish Ronald as a recognizable representative of the restaurant brand.

Ronald McDonald is sometimes confused with the later McDonaldland characters. The Hamburglar and Mayor McCheese belong to the fantasy world developed in subsequent advertising, while Speedee belongs to an earlier stage of McDonald’s branding.

The character became central to McDonald’s family-oriented marketing for decades. His name also helped connect the company’s corporate identity with a friendly, theatrical personality rather than only with food and restaurant design.