KIDZ BOP and McDonald's Rock Today's Most Popular Music with a New Happy Meal®

(BUSINESS WIRE) Kids have a new reason to get moving this spring when they enjoy a McDonald's Happy Meal. KIDZ BOP, the most popular and most recognized music product in the U.S. for kids ages five to 12, and McDonald's are joining together for the first time, making the popular music brand available with the purchase of new KIDZ BOP-themed Happy Meals.

With each Happy Meal, kids will receive one of eight CDs featuring four KIDZ BOP hit songs - sung for kids, by kids - plus the bonus original track, "KIDZ BOP World." The Happy Meal will be available from April 24 through May 21, and offer kids the opportunity to embrace their inner star through interactive features on HappyMeal.com and KIDZBOP.com.

KIDZ BOP has sold more than 11 million CDs and earned nine Gold certifications since its debut in 2001. KIDZ BOP is a complete entertainment platform, featuring music, videos, the popular website KIDZBOP.com and the KIDZ BOP LIVE concert tour. KIDZ BOP is also leading the way in the search for tomorrow's stars through the annual national Be a KIDZ BOP Star talent search and a one-of-a-kind virtual space where kids can upload performance videos and webshows in a safe, secure environment to share with peers. From these groups of talented kids, KIDZ BOP hopes to sign three new artists in 2009. With these unique youth connections, KIDZ BOP will continue to find and develop new artists.

"KIDZ BOP is creating innovative ways for kids and tweens to share and create music and content," said Liz Nealon, General Manager of KIDZ BOP. "As our momentum as a multi-faceted entertainment brand grows, we'll continue to partner with companies like McDonald's that further our mission to celebrate the unique authentic voices of kids and foster creative interaction with the KIDZ BOP brand."

Cool Music, Interactive Content

The Happy Meal CDs feature hit songs from the KIDZ BOP collection including, "All Star," "Complicated," "Funkytown," "SOS," "So Yesterday," "Holiday," "Hey There Delilah" and "Since You Been Gone." Each CD also will include a code that kids can use to unlock a special KIDZ BOP song on a virtual music player at McDonald's virtual world for kids, McWorld available at HappyMeal.com. At McWorld kids' online personas can dance and interact with virtual DJs. Kids can also create original content and upload their own videos on KIDZBOP.com.

"We are always looking to bring relevant and engaging experiences, as well as quality food choices, to our customers through the Happy Meal," said Rebecca Anderson, marketing manager, McDonald's USA. "We are excited to partner with KIDZ BOP on this exciting promotion, which emphasizes kids empowerment and having fun through the latest music hits. Families are sure to enjoy this exclusive KIDZ BOP experience at McDonald's."

Starting April 24, McDonald's will launch a Happy Meal commercial that shows how music can bring kids and moms together. Additional marketing support includes packaging, in-store signage and displays. The Happy Meal will be cross-promoted on KIDZBOP.com.

ABOUT KIDZ BOP LLC

KIDZ BOP is the most-popular and recognized music series in the U.S. for kids aged 5-12, featuring today's most popular songs, sung by kids for kids. KIDZ BOP celebrates the unique, authentic voice of kids across the entire brand - through music, videos, the popular website KIDZBOP.COM, the KIDZ BOP LIVE concert tour, KIDZ BOP TV and the national Be a KIDZ BOP Star talent competition. KIDZ BOP music titles have sold more than 11 million and earned 9 Gold certifications since their debut in 2001. The website, www.KIDZBOP.com, is one of the fastest-growing online social networking destinations, where kids can safely create, share and watch a variety of content. The KIDZ BOP LIVE tour launched in 2007, playing in theaters and small arenas in across the country to more than 100,000 fans. The KIDZ BOP TV channel is available 24/7 on the Comcast video-on-demand channel, featuring webshows, music videos, concert footage and user-generated content. The brand continues to grow with various promotions including toys and greeting cards. KIDZ BOP LLC is a division of New York-based independent entertainment company Razor & Tie Entertainment, a vertically-integrated company that includes a music company with major label distribution, a music publishing business, a media buying company, a home video company, an experienced marketing, promotion and sales team, a direct marketing operation and a growing database of entertainment consumers. For more information, please visit www.kidzbop.com.

ABOUT McDONALD'S

McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. For more information on McDonald's visit www.mcdonalds.com or log on at any of the 10,000 Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants.

© 2009 McDonald's

Razor & Tie
Kerri Brusca, 212-598-2212
kbrusca@razorandtie.com
or
McDonald's USA
Nicole Neal, 630-623-2901
Nicole.Neal@us.mcd.com