I look at banner ads more then most people - because I’m always looking to see how marketers are marketing online. I recently came across a banner ad on DrudgeReport.com that featured McDonald’s upcoming Chill Lounges. They seem like a “third place” (a place outside the home and office) where people can chill, consume, and utilize technology (music, Internet, communication tools). The following is the banner advertisement I came across and a screen shot of the flash-based McDonald’s Chill out lounge website:

The banner on the left is good for three reasons: its simple, has a hot girl, and has a call to action (that’s pretty much all you need in a good banner).  The website, like most flash websites, is flashy and full of interactivity. I personally hate flash based websites, as they take a long time to load, take a long time to interact with, and you regularly have to update your flash player. Flash based websites, like all things in life, have their time and place. I’m not sure McDonald’s Chill lounge website is very useful for users and actually explains what it is that McDonald’s is trying to accomplish - the launch of new lounge type spaces in their stores. I only know about the new rehab work being done in McDonald’s because I read it somewhere online. The flash based website, though cool and musical, fails to convey to current McDonald’s patrons and potential customers the new upcoming features to be found in McDonald’s stores.