'Ronald Is Not a Bad Guy,' McDonald's CEO Says

McDonald's Corp. Chief Executive Don Thompson, presiding over his first annual shareholders meeting since taking the helm of the fast-food chain last summer, defended the company's efforts to market to children.

Several speakers associated with Corporate Accountability International, a nonprofit corporate watchdog that put forward a proposal calling on McDonald's to conduct an assessment of its nutrition initiatives, accused the company of contributing to the country's obesity problem by targeting children, particularly minorities.

Mr. Thompson, McDonald's first African-American chief executive, said the criticism hits close to home and staunchly defended McDonald's marketing practices.

"We are not the cause of obesity. Ronald is not a bad guy," Mr. Thompson said Thursday "He's about fun. He's a clown. I'd urge you all to let your kids have fun, too."

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