How McDonalds reached 300 million candidates using Snapchat

McDonald's, the global fast-food giant, took a bold step by harnessing the power of Snapchat, a social media platform known for its ephemeral content and engaging filters. This case study explores how McDonald's used Snapchat to reach a staggering 300 million candidates, reshaping the way companies approach candidate outreach.

The Power of Snapchat Filters

Snapchat, a multimedia messaging app, has rapidly become a staple of social interaction for younger demographics. Its signature feature – filters – has turned the platform into a hub for fun and creative content sharing. McDonald's saw an opportunity to leverage this feature to attract potential employees in a unique and engaging way.

The Vision Behind the Initiative

McDonald's goal was clear: they wanted to stand out in the highly competitive fast-food industry and connect with a diverse pool of candidates. Traditional recruitment methods often fall short in this regard, especially when targeting younger, tech-savvy individuals. Snapchat, with its playful and interactive filters, provided the perfect medium for McDonald's to showcase its brand and job opportunities.

The Snapchat Campaign

The campaign kicked off with a series of creative Snapchat filters specifically designed for McDonald's. These filters allowed users to interact with the brand in a fun and memorable way. Candidates could virtually don a McDonald's uniform, hold a digital tray of their favorite meal, and even customize their appearance with iconic McDonald's accessories. The filters made the brand and the idea of working at McDonald's instantly relatable and exciting.

Geo-Filters for Localized Outreach

One of the campaign's standout features was the use of geo-filters. McDonald's strategically placed these filters around its various locations, enabling potential candidates to engage with them based on their geographic proximity. Users could interact with these geo-filters only when they were physically near a McDonald's restaurant, thereby targeting job seekers in the vicinity.

Creating Shareable Content

In the age of social media, shareable content is gold. McDonald's campaign was designed to encourage users to share their filtered experiences on their own Snapchat stories, amplifying the reach of the campaign exponentially. As friends saw their connections participating in the fun, the campaign quickly went viral.

Sponsored Stories and Discover Ads

McDonald's also invested in sponsored stories and Discover ads on Snapchat. These placements allowed the brand to appear in the most engaging and high-visibility sections of the app, ensuring that users across the platform saw their content. With engaging visuals and catchy slogans, McDonald's effectively drew users into their hiring narrative.

Call to Action

In each sponsored story and Discover ad, McDonald's included a clear call to action (CTA). This CTA directed users to the McDonald's careers page or provided information on how to apply for open positions. It was essential to make the transition from fun, playful interaction to serious candidate outreach as seamless as possible.

The "Wow" Factor

The McDonald's Snapchat recruitment campaign was an immediate hit. It had the "wow" factor that many traditional recruitment strategies lacked. Here are some key elements that contributed to its success:

Novelty

Using Snapchat filters for recruitment was a fresh and unexpected approach. It captured the attention of users who were tired of conventional job search methods.

Engagement

The interactive filters made the entire process engaging and enjoyable. Users spent more time interacting with the brand, and this prolonged engagement translated into brand recognition.

Virality

The shareable nature of Snapchat stories ensured that the campaign spread like wildfire. It extended the outreach beyond just McDonald's followers and into the networks of those who participated.

Targeted Outreach

Geo-filters and targeted ad placements allowed McDonald's to connect with potential candidates at the right place and time. This localized approach greatly increased the relevance of the campaign.

Conversion

The clear and easy-to-follow CTA in McDonald's Snapchat campaign turned engagement into action. It directed interested candidates to the next steps of the recruitment process.

Measuring Success

The success of the campaign was not merely anecdotal. McDonald's used several key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the impact of their Snapchat initiative:

Impressions

McDonald's tracked the number of times their filters were viewed, providing insights into the campaign's reach.

Engagement Metrics

They monitored user interactions with the filters, including how long users engaged with them and how many shares the content received.

Conversion Rates

The ultimate goal was to convert engagement into job applications. McDonald's closely monitored the number of applications generated through the Snapchat campaign.

Cost per Application

By comparing the cost of the Snapchat campaign to the number of applications received, McDonald's assessed the efficiency of this new recruitment method.

Results and Takeaways

The McDonald's Snapchat campaign achieved astounding results:

• Over 300 million candidates engaged with McDonald's Snapchat filters.
• The campaign generated a 50% increase in job applications.
• The cost per application was significantly lower compared to traditional recruitment methods.
• McDonald's experienced a notable boost in brand recognition, particularly among younger demographics.

Key Takeaways

• Innovate or Stagnate: To stand out in a competitive job market, companies must explore innovative methods of recruitment. McDonald's Snapchat campaign demonstrated the power of thinking outside the box.
• Leverage Social Media Creatively: Social media platforms offer endless opportunities for creative engagement. McDonald's used Snapchat filters to connect with younger candidates on a platform they already loved.
• Geo-Targeting Matters: Tailoring your approach to the local audience can significantly improve the relevance of your campaign. McDonald's geo-filters were a brilliant example of this.
• Measurement is Essential: To assess the success of a campaign, establish clear KPIs and continuously track and analyze the data. This approach ensures that you can refine and improve your strategy as needed.
• Engagement Equals Results: Engaging content encourages users to participate and share, significantly expanding your outreach. McDonald's campaign was highly shareable, leading to its viral success.

Conclusion

McDonald's Snapchat recruitment case study is a testament to the ever-evolving landscape of candidate outreach. By harnessing the power of Snapchat filters and thinking creatively, McDonald's reached an astounding 300 million potential candidates and significantly improved their recruitment success. This campaign is a prime example of how innovation and an understanding of your target audience can yield remarkable results in the world of recruitment. As companies continue to adapt to the digital age, the "wow" factor, as demonstrated by McDonald's, will remain essential in recruiting the best and brightest talent.