McDonald's Celebrates 60 Years in Germany with a Touching Circus Tale

Director Alex Feil helps McDonald’s celebrate its 60th anniversary in Germany with a heartwarming spot out of Leo Burnett’s new hybrid German agency, Thjnk Tank. Feil sends in the clowns with a poignant and cinematic glimpse into the life of an octogenarian circus performer who still dons the greasepaint.

The spot features legendary Russian clown, Oleg Popov, also known as “the Sunshine Clown.” One of the most popular circus performers of the 20th century, Popov still manages to delight audiences and inspire standing ovations today at age 84.

The dulcet lilt of the music gilds the story with a bittersweet glow, as we watch the jester take joy in life's simplest pleasures, ending with a trip to the Golden Arches. There, he gives a nod to the most famous clown of all, Ronald McDonald, as the tag line appears: "When you make people happy, you never get old."