McDonalds RedBox

I had a really cool experience the other day that I had to tell everyone about, because it deals with a cool new service that I'm not sure everyone knows about. This might get a little long winded and maybe even tangential at times, but bear with me.

So let me start at the beginning. You'll need to know two things right off the bat - I didn't see Brokeback Mountain like everyone else in the entire free world. I also lost about 35lbs over the past two years, and no longer patronize establishments like McDonalds on an everyday basis. Well, I do from time to time, but I PROMISE, it's always because they have good salads.

Anyway, so a couple of weekends ago, my fiance gets it in her mind that she must see Brokeback Mountain all of a sudden, even though it hadn't really crossed her mind much before then. I, being the loving and supportive mate that I am, obliged despite the fact that I wasn't TOO thrilled about it. I mean, I'm not by any means homophobic, but I have to admit I had heard a few people say that to a heterosexual male, this might cause a liiiiitttle bit of discomfort. Not exactly my favorite way to spend a weekend night.

Tangent: I'm not trying to bash Blockbuster, because by all means it seems to be a pretty well run company with a solid business model. I've rented hundreds of movies from here over the past 10 years or more, and I'm still a member. But if there's one thing I can count on lately, its that they are going to be OUT of the movie that I want to rent. This really didn't start until they got rid of late fees. I'm almost positive that people just aren't bringing movies back on time now, so their inventory suffers. How do I know? Because I have definitely been guilty of keeping a two night rental for seven or more days!!!

So, of course, the night I go to rent Brokeback Mountain, they are OUT of it. What to do, what to do? She is dead set on seeing this movie tonight. I have a responsibility as a man to find what she wants. So I think about it for a bit and start to weigh my options. I could drive to another Blockbuster - the one in Fort Meade is only about 15 minutes away. But with the ridiculous prices in gas these days, the half hour total drive makes my wallet hurt!

Maybe I could just wait it out-Hope that by some stroke of luck, someone will bring that exact movie back while I wait. After much debate, I decide that I can't decide. Instead I call the (future) wife and ask her for an answer.

Without missing a beat, she says to me, "why don't you go to RedBox?" HUH? What exactly is this Redbox she speaks of. So I ask, "RedBox?" To which she replies, "you know, RedBox, at McDonalds." This is the first I had heard of it to be quite honest, but as soon as I learned more, I knew I would be hearing much, much more.

Basically, to break it down for you, RedBox (www.redbox.com) is (are?) these big, red.....boxes, at McDonalds locations. They are stocked full of newly released movies. What's cool about this, is that not only are there RedBox locations at almost every McDonalds (there are a bajillion), but the movies only cost $1. The only 'catch' is that you have to return them the next day. But even if you forget, it's only another $1. And if you never return it, you pay $15. Not bad, considering that's about the cost of a new DVD these days anyway.

I was blown away. Why even bother keeping my Blockbuster card?

So I took the movie home and reported back to the wife that I thought RedBox was better than sliced bread. She was more than pumped that she was the one that suggested that. We watched the movie, which I must say was not all it was cracked up to be. It was really, really slow. Painfully slow at times.

Anyway, the real genius behind this business model hit me as I went to return the movie the next day at ANOTHER McDonalds (yes, you can return them at any McDonalds). This time, the RedBox was INSIDE the McD's. Remember when I said I don't go into McDonalds much anymore? Well, here I was walking into a McDonalds on a Sunday afternoon, as unsuspecting as ever.

All of a sudden, IT HIT ME. No, not the marketing genius I had just witnessed. THE SMELL OF FRENCH FRIES. Ugh, I was torn. Do I continue on my way behind a curtain of self discipline, or do I give in and enjoy some fries. Luckily this time, I wasn't that hungry, so I was able to resist. But I wondered...how many other people just like me gave in to the temptation and ordered a McDonalds meal? My guess is LOTS.

After researching further, I realized that RedBox is actually owned by McDonalds. It all makes sense! Brilliant!

Well, that's about it for now. Oh, I forgot to mention. If, through some strange search engine search, the higher ups at RedBox find this post, and are looking for an ad agency in Maryland has you covered!