From ATLiens to 'New Atlanta,' corporations just love co-opting our cool
Atlanta's never had a bigger share of the national spotlight, but is it a good thing?
Ain't it strange how a culturally coded celebration of individualism can become a billboard ad for mass consumerism?
Upon spotting McDonald's ATLIENS ad a couple of months ago while driving down Moreland Ave., my first thought actually was more like: Oh hell nawl! Does Big Boi know about this bull!?!
Apparently, I wasn't alone, as Maurice Garland reacted on Twitter to the ad, which cribs the title of OutKast's sophomore album and title song, "ATLiens."
ATLiens eat McDonald's? Thought we dined on fish & grits and all the pimp shit... #Lawsuitmaybe? http://t.co/cIir4n0QKG
- Maurice Garland (@Maurice_Garland) May 21, 2013
In case you haven't seen it (pictured above), the ad featured on billboards and MARTA buses spells out "ATLIENS!" in all-capital white letters on a black, starry background using a Dr. Pepper fountain drink as the letter "I" and an order of McDonald's fries as the exclamation point. "DINE AFTER DARK," it reads below that.
Pretty cool, as far as advertising campaigns go - which is exactly the point. Atlanta's cultural capital is being misappropriated like a mug. And it's not even the latest example of corporations swagger-jacking our cool.