Which singer appeared in McDonald's first “I'm Lovin' It” campaign in 2003?

Justin Timberlake appeared in McDonald's first “I'm Lovin' It” campaign in 2003.

The campaign used Timberlake's voice and image alongside the slogan and its now-famous “ba da ba ba ba” musical hook. His involvement helped connect McDonald's with contemporary pop music and youth-oriented entertainment at a time when the company was seeking a refreshed global image.

The campaign had a complicated creative origin. The phrase was developed from a German advertising concept, and McDonald's adapted it into a worldwide marketing platform. Timberlake's contribution was part of the launch advertising rather than evidence that he created the entire campaign or its slogan.

Another common confusion concerns the music. The advertising hook is associated with the campaign, while Timberlake performed the song-related material used in its promotion. The slogan itself remained McDonald's property and continued in advertisements long after the initial celebrity-focused launch.