Arch Nemesis: Canadiens' Shea Weber Races Cowboy On A Horse In New McDonald's Spot

Canadiens D Shea Weber "skates faster than a speeding horse" in a recently released McDonald's ad as he races a "cowboy riding a horse to promote the Mighty Angus Burger," according to Stu Cowan of the MONTREAL GAZETTE. The ad was shot Aug. 2 on a field in Kananaskis, Alberta, with a "beautiful mountain backdrop." In the 200-foot race, Weber "edges out the horse in a photo finish and then raises his arms in celebration." However, the most "surprising part about the ad isn’t the fact the 6-foot-4, 232-pound Weber wins the race." It "comes in the outtakes video and photos provided by McDonald’s in which Weber is actually smiling and laughing while talking with the cowboy." McDonald's Senior Marketing Manager of Eastern Canada Chuck Coolen said that McDonald’s first "approached Weber’s agent about the idea for the ad and that the player was excited about it because it was a 'unique opportunity.'" Coolen added that McDonald’s has "featured cowboys and a Western setting in previous ads for its Mighty Angus Burger and that the 'mighty' Weber was a perfect fit." The ad yesterday "generated a lot of attention on social media following its YouTube debut." Coolen said that the spot will "only air in the Quebec market on TV as part of McDonald’s agreement with the Canadiens" (MONTREAL GAZETTE, 9/6).