Final answer:
Ronald McDonald markets directly to children through television advertisements, integration of toys with kids' meals, in-school marketing, and internet marketing, engaging young consumers through various platforms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ronald McDonald uses various methods to market directly to children. Despite the broad range of advertising strategies, there are four primary ways through which this is achieved. First, Ronald McDonald utilizes television advertisements, especially during popular children's programming, to promote McDonald's offerings. These advertisements are specifically designed to capture the attention of young viewers with colorful visuals and fun characters. Second, the integration of toys and kids' meals pulls from the successful formula seen in 1980s TV shows where cartoons were essentially advertisements for toy lines.
This strategy blurs the line between playtime and marketing, enticing children with the promise of a toy with their meal. Third, Ronald McDonald uses in-school marketing by sponsoring events and activities within educational settings. While this aspect is seeing changes due to health regulations, the historical impact is noted. Lastly, Ronald McDonald employs internet marketing to engage with children in the digital space where the English language and US cultural influences predominate, making it an effective platform for reaching a global audience of young consumers.