McDonald's Invites Customers to Vote for the Next "Voice of McDonald's"

OAK BROOK, IL--(Marketwire - November 11, 2009) - Beginning today through Friday, Dec. 4, customers can vote for their favorite voice of McDonald's at www.mcdonalds.com/voice. Of the 1.6 million McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) restaurant employees around the world, 30 talented vocalists from 18 countries have made it to the semi-finals in the company's third global Voice of McDonald's singing competition.

Online voting will help choose the 12 finalists who will win a trip to Orlando, Fla., along with a guest, to experience the McDonald's Worldwide Owner/Operator Convention in April 2010. There, our contestants will receive star treatment, including an entourage who provides expertise on hair and makeup, choreography, stage presence and vocal coaching as they prepare to compete in the finals. Our 12 finalists will also sing on a massive concert stage with a live orchestra in front of the 15,000 McDonald's owner/operators, employees and suppliers in attendance. The Voice of McDonald's grand-prize winner takes home $25,000; the second prize includes $10,000 and third prize receives $5,000.

"Having seen our previous Voice of McDonald's contestants perform, I am absolutely blown away by the talents of our employees," said Rich Floersch, McDonald's executive vice president and global chief human resources officer. "This competition puts a spotlight on one of the most important parts of our company, our people -- their hidden gifts, hopes and dreams. Voice of McDonald's is just one example of the 'only-at-McDonald's' opportunities we've created to celebrate the talents of our employees around the world."

The 30 global semi-finalists are:

--  Asia-Pacific/Middle East/Africa
    --  Emma Linnegar -- Sydney, Australia
    --  Weijie Wu -- Liwan District, Guanzhon, China
    --  Ni Kadek Arini -- Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
    --  Yui Nakayama -- Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
    --  Jin Hur -- Goyang City, South Korea
    --  Nami Yoo -- Goyang, South Korea
    --  Lourieby Chenee Capuyan -- Davao Del Sur, Davao, Philippines
    --  Radjie Zaragoza -- Daraga, Albay, Philippines
    --  Lucky Zofo -- Springs, South Africa
    --  Eunah Yang -- Seoul, South Korea
    --  Hyun Jin Park -- Seoul, South Korea
    --  Kwangki Lee -- Goyang City, South Korea

--  Europe
    --  Sodany Sean -- Clermont Ferrand, France
    --  Gaetan Nieto -- Antibes, France
    --  Cristel Joy Amposta -- Vielbach, Rheinland-Phalz, Germany
    --  Roger Corneille -- Deurne, Netherlands
    --  Gilyana Ochiro-Goryaeva -- Moscow, Russia
    --  Ana Cepello Cobos -- Seville, Spain

--  Latin America
    --  Nayane Pereira Santos -- Aracaju, Brazil
    --  Suyane Pereira Santos -- Aracaju, Brazil
    --  Eduardo Goes Dos Santos -- Sao Paulo, Brazil
    --  Evelyn Cardenas Portillo -- San Jose, Costa Rica
    --  Jesus Miguel Molinares Espinoza -- Lima, Peru
    --  Stephanie Roche -- Mayaguez, Puerto Rico

--  North America (U.S. and Canada)
    --  Franz Carl Guerrero -- Calgary, Alberta, Canada
    --  Ashley Harrington -- Long Island City, New York, United States
    --  Fatima Poggi -- Pinckney, Michigan, United States
    --  Eddie Davenport -- Stockbridge, Michigan, United States
    --  Carrie Vieweg -- Concord Township, Ohio, United States
    --  LeAnna Simmons -- Dover, Pennsylvania, United States

The 30 semi-finalists selected music ranging from pop to country and rock from a varied songbook provided by Sony ATV to create videos that are judged on their singing ability (60 percent), creativity (20 percent) and on-camera/stage presence (20 percent).

The Voice of McDonald's online voting site contains semi-finalists' impressive video submissions, photos and other interesting facts about these talented employees. Now McDonald's customers all over the globe have the chance to cast their votes. These online votes, together with a professional panel of international judges from the vocal and music industry, will decide who will become the top 12 finalists.

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About McDonald's

McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) is the leading global foodservice retailer with more than 32,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries. Approximately 80 percent of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by franchisees. Please visit our website at www.aboutmcdonalds.com to learn more about the Company.

©2009 McDonald's, McDonald's Corp., Voice of McDonald's and Sony ATV are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.