We open in the hold of a cavernous futuristic spacecraft as alien creatures usher in a mysterious piece of cargo, presenting their spoils to a Centurion-like alien warlord. In subtitled alien language, one of them explains: “There is a place on Earth, cherished by billions.”
The creature continues, “Inside we found this,” opening the item to reveal a large McDonald’s soft-drink fountain machine. The leader reacts in awe. One of the minions hands him a McDonald’s cup and he steps forward to fill it with Dr. Pepper. As he takes a long satisfied sip, layers of his face peel away and his countenance changes to a broad smile, kicking off a celebration among the legions of aliens.
Abruptly, we cut back to a McDonald’s on Planet Earth where we see a stunned employee looking at the remnants of a torn-out soda fountain as voiceover calls out the promotional copy: “Come get a one dollar any-sized fountain drink at McDonald’s… While you still can.”
Fred Raimondi of BRW USA directed for agency Moroch USA. Visual effects house was The Mission.
Apple and Google Face UK Investigation Into Mobile Browser Dominance
Apple and Google aren't giving consumers a genuine choice of mobile web browsers, a British watchdog said Friday in a report that recommends they face an investigation under new U.K. digital rules taking effect next year.
The Competition and Markets Authority took aim at Apple, saying the iPhone maker's tactics hold back innovation by stopping rivals from giving users new features like faster webpage loading. Apple does this by restricting progressive web apps, which don't need to be downloaded from an app store and aren't subject to app store commissions, the report said.
"This technology is not able to fully take off on iOS devices," the watchdog said in a provisional report on its investigation into mobile browsers that it opened after an initial study concluded that Apple and Google effectively have a chokehold on "mobile ecosystems."
The CMA's report also found that Apple and Google manipulate the choices given to mobile phone users to make their own browsers "the clearest or easiest option."
And it said that the a revenue-sharing deal between the two U.S. Big Tech companies "significantly reduces their financial incentives" to compete in mobile browsers on Apple's iOS operating system for iPhones.
Both companies said they will "engage constructively" with the CMA.
Apple said it disagreed with the findings and said it was concerned that the recommendations would undermine user privacy and security.
Google said the openness of its Android mobile operating system "has helped to expand choice, reduce prices and democratize access to smartphones and apps" and that it's "committed to open platforms that empower consumers."
It's the latest move by regulators on both sides of the Atlantic to crack down on the... Read More