AI Version :

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

McDonald’s and Stranger Things Brew Up an Upside Down-Inspired Coffee Creation

Chicago, IL – 2025 – McDonald’s is taking fans to Hawkins, Indiana—one sip at a time. In an electrifying new collaboration with Netflix’s global phenomenon Stranger Things, McDonald’s is unveiling the Upside Down Cold Brew, a limited-edition coffee drink that blends McDonald’s iconic flavors with a supernatural twist.

The Upside Down Cold Brew features smooth, bold McCafé cold brew layered with rich chocolate cream and a swirl of cherry syrup—an homage to the retro diner flavors of the 1980s. Topped with whipped cream and red-and-black sprinkles, the drink is served in exclusive Stranger Things-themed cups that flip the classic McDonald’s logo upside down.

“Fans have grown up with Stranger Things, just as generations have grown up with McDonald’s,” said [Insert Executive Name], Chief Marketing Officer of McDonald’s USA. “This collaboration is a playful way to bring the worlds together—blending nostalgia, bold flavor, and a little bit of the unexpected.”

The Upside Down Cold Brew will be available nationwide at participating McDonald’s locations starting [Insert Launch Date], while supplies last. To celebrate, McDonald’s will also drop exclusive digital content and retro-inspired merch, letting fans collect a piece of the Hawkins universe with their order.

Whether you’re gearing up for a binge-watch or just need an extra jolt to face the day, the Upside Down Cold Brew promises a taste that’s as thrilling as an episode set in Hawkins.

About McDonald’s
McDonald’s is the world’s leading global foodservice retailer with over 39,000 locations in more than 100 countries. Serving nearly 70 million customers daily, McDonald’s is committed to providing delicious, feel-good moments to everyone.

About Stranger Things
Created by the Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things is a Netflix original series that has become a worldwide pop culture phenomenon. Set in the 1980s, the show combines supernatural elements, nostalgia, and unforgettable characters in an adventure that has captivated fans across the globe.

Annotations:

My Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Turn Your World Upside Down With McDonald’s New Upside Down Cold Brew! Every Sip Taking You Closer To Hawkins, Indiana!  

Livingston, NJ – 2025 – Let’s go back to Indiana circa 1983! McDonald’s is teaming up with Netflix’s biggest hit, Stranger Things, to bring you a supernatural coffee drink to start your mornings off right. This limited edition cold brew blends McDonald’s beloved flavors with an 80s flare. The Upside Down Cold Brew features smooth, bold McCafé cold brew layered with rich chocolate cream and a swirl of cherry syrup—an homage to the retro diner flavors of the 1980s. Topped with whipped cream and red-and-black sprinkles, the drink is served in exclusive Stranger Things themed cups that flip the classic McDonald’s logo upside down.

“Partnering with Netflix allows us to bring the nostalgic feel of Stranger Things to life for its millions of fans. It keeps the excitement alive, giving viewers something to indulge in while bingeing the new season,” says current McDonald’s CEO, Chris Kempczinski. With a fan of Stranger Things saying, “this is the best thing to happen to annoying people in years!” 

The Upside Down Cold Brew will be available nationwide at participating McDonald’s locations starting in November, while supplies last. To celebrate, McDonald’s will also drop an exclusive, unreleased trailer as well as merch and various demogorgon toys to collect, letting fans take a piece of the Hawkins universe with their order.

Whether you’re gearing up for a binge-watch or just need an extra jolt to face the day, the Upside Down Cold Brew promises a taste that’s as thrilling as this final season. 

For more information, visit https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us.html or https://strangerthings-store.com, follow @mcdonalds or @strangerthingstv on Instagram, Facebook, and X. They will be releasing behind-the-scene details, sneak peaks, some special surprises, and so much more. 

About McDonald’s
McDonald’s is the world’s leading global foodservice retailer with over 39,000 locations in more than 100 countries. Serving nearly 70 million customers daily, McDonald’s is committed to providing delicious, feel-good moments to everyone.

About Stranger Things
Created by the Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things is a Netflix original series that has become a worldwide pop culture phenomenon. Set in the 1980s, the show combines supernatural elements, nostalgia, and unforgettable characters in an adventure that has captivated fans across the globe.

Reflection:

Overall, this assignment was clear in its objectives and instructions. However, I wish the instructions had included actual examples of press releases, as I was unsure what was necessary versus unnecessary to include in my own. As someone interested in advertising and PR, I found myself both amazed and slightly horrified by what AI was able to produce. I began inserting more ideas into the generative AI simply out of curiosity, wanting to see what else it could come up with. Ideas like the upside down McDonald’s logo were surprisingly brilliant and something I would not have thought of on my own.

With the recent surge in AI usage, I think it is critical that we learn its strengths and weaknesses in order to use it effectively and responsibly. It is also immensely important to have a general understanding of what AI is capable of producing. I spent about two days on this assignment, dedicating roughly 30 minutes each day. While I liked the overall setup of the assignment, I found myself changing a lot of what the AI generated, even when I liked most of the writing. Interestingly, many others seemed to do the same, often due to a lack of genuine research or the inclusion of odd, unrealistic details. The most unsettling part of AI for me is how strong its writing can be.