Fox, Burger King Push ‘Simpsons’ in Global Promotion

There are no DVD releases or movies on the horizon, but Fox is pushing “The Simpsons” in a global giveaway of the cartoon family figures in a Kids Meal deal.

Everyone who buys a Kids Meal during the “Hang Out with The Simpsons!” campaign gets one of six character-themed toys as long as the supplies last. The idea is to enable fans of the show to re-create the opening couch sequence in the long-running weekly animated series.

“It isn’t necessarily timed to anything. It points to the strength of [‘The Simpsons’] brand,” said Cynthia Pascoe, spokesperson for Fox licensing and merchandising.

The giveaway obviously helps keep America’s favorite dysfunctional animated family top of mind during the November sweeps period in the U.S. TV ratings season.

The promotion is the latest in a 16-year relationship between the popular animated social satire and Burger King.

The fast food chain ran an online contest around the release of “The Simpsons” feature film from Fox last year that enabled people to convert digital pictures of themselves into “Simpsons” characters.

The current campaign will be supported with national TV ads from Burger King in the U.S., Germany, Netherlands, Argentina, Spain, Turkey and New Zealand. Signage in Burger King location will also plug the promotion.