AUDREY’S SOCIETY WHIRL: McDonald’s Launches Flavor Battle National DJ Competition Featuring Celebrity DJs Spinderella, Bryan Michael Cox And DJ Irie

Sprite Step Off Service Challenge; Ronald McDonald’s House Charities To Host Students

      *The nation’s foremost fast food dynasty, McDonald’s, recently launched the McDonald’s Flavor Battle, a new, national premier DJ competition that kicked off nationwide September 7, 2009 in which three local DJs each represented a McDonald’s famous burger and competed to win the McDonald’s Flavor Battle on the main stage at the Sprite Step Off events.

      The trio of DJs battling for burger supremacy included DJ Spinderella, Bryan Michael Cox and DJ Irie.  The DJs battled online at McDonald’s 365Black.com from September 7 through November 22, giving consumers an opportunity to vote for the DJs’ old school, new school and R&B mixes at the web site, and a chance to win big prizes including a trip to Atlanta for the Sprite Step Off National Finals in January 2010.

      During the national DJ competition online, audience members “voiced their choice” for their favorite McDonald’s burger and DJ via text message.  Every text message counted as an entry into the national McDonald’s Flavor Battle sweepstakes, along with voting on 365Black.com. The winner will be announced shortly.

      All three popular DJs attended an exclusive New York City media reception at the swellegant Slate Restaurant Bar & Billiards watering spot in the trendy Flatiron district on Friday, November 6, 2009.

      Joining the hot DJs and their pool party guests were Nicole Neal, manager, U.S. Communications, McDonald’s Corporation, and two advertising reps from Burrell: Iman A. Jefferson, media relations specialist, engagement marketing, and Tracy L. Anderson, account director, engagement marketing.

      Neal introduced the celebrity DJs who discussed their individual involvement: 

      Los Angeles-based DJ Spinderella, of legendary 80’s hip-hop fame, representing the Big Mac, encouraged guests to vote for her noting that she was the only competitor with the right curves which brought lots of wolf sounds from the predominantly male audience.

      Bryan Michael Cox, a Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer out of Houston and Atlanta, representing the Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese, told everyone that he was the big cheese of the trio and deserved their vote.

      Lastly, Miami-based DJ Irie, the only official DJ for the pro-basketball team Miami Heat and the official DJ for actor and R&B artist Jamie Foxx, representing the newest burger, the Angus Third Pounder, buoyantly begged guests to vote for him stating that he was the real deal. 

      At the Sprite Step Off, the competing step teams will not only vie for the national step team championship, they will also engage in community service activities in the cities where they compete as part of the Sprite Step Off Service Challenge. Additionally, Ronald McDonald House Charities and McDonald’s will host college students at Ronald McDonald Houses across the country to help achieve the Sprite Step Off Service Challenge national goal of 1.5 million service hours.

      The live events will occur in Atlanta, Baton Rouge, Birmingham, Bloomington (IN), Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbia (MO), Columbia (SC), Columbus (OH), Dallas, Fayetteville (AR), Houston, Morgantown (WV), Long Beach, Montgomery (AL), New Orleans, New York City, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Raleigh, San Francisco, St. Louis, Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. 

      McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's 13,700 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. For more information about McDonald's visit www.mcdonalds.com.

      Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), a non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Its programs are grassroots-driven to enable the Charity to offer help where children need it most – right in their own communities.

      RMHC makes an immediate, positive impact on children’s lives through its global network of local Chapters in 52 countries and its three core programs:  the Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Room and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile.

      RMHC and its global network of local Chapters have awarded more than $460 million in grants and program services to children's programs around the world.  These programs and grants provide a bridge to assessable health care and allow families more time together which help in the healing process.

      Championed by Sprite, the leading lemon-lime sparkling beverage brand among multicultural youth, Sprite Step Off is a national competition that celebrates the creativity and originality of the multicultural college experience through stepping, scholarship and service.

      It is the largest step competition for Greek letter organizations in the U.S., with the largest prize pool ever. Sprite Step Off will make it possible for a broader audience to experience an iconic form of self-expression that has been shared by multicultural college students for decades and encourage young people nationwide to get involved in community service to improve their communities. (Photos by Soul Brother)
 

Burrell beauties Iman A. Jefferson, Tracy L. Anderson (Photo by TONTO Reggin Razzi)

Celebrity DJs Bryan Michael Cox, DJ Irie and Spinderella

DJ Irie playing pool

Spinderella shooting pool

Chuck Creekmur, CEO & co-founder of hip-hop website Allhiphop.com, Bryan Michael Cox, McDonald's Manager, U.S. Communications and Munson Steed, publisher, Rolling Out

Audrey J. Bernard is an established chronicler of Black society and Urban happenings based in the New York City area.