Grimace Becomes an Unlikely Mascot for New York Mets as Subway Trains Receive a Purple Makeover

New York Mets fans commuting to Citi Field on Tuesday for Game 3 of the National League Division Series were greeted by an unexpected sight: a subway dedicated to Grimace, the purple mascot from McDonald's, instead of the team’s traditional mascot, Mr. Met. The train was part of a unique collaboration between McDonald’s and the Mets, attracting attention as it navigated through New York City on the purple 7 train line.

Amanda Mulligan, McDonald’s Director of Social Media and Influencer, noted, “We saw so much social conversation where people were photoshopping Grimace’s face decal on the purple 7 subway train line,” leading to the decision to bring this imaginative concept to life. Mulligan hinted at a potential live appearance from Grimace on the train, further boosting excitement.

This unexpected partnership began on June 12 at Citi Field when Grimace threw the ceremonial first pitch, coinciding with the start of a winning streak for the Mets. Social media users playfully credited the mascot with the team’s success, which ultimately led to the collaboration between the fast food giant and the baseball team.

The collaboration has since flourished, marked visibly by a special Grimace-themed seat at Citi Field. Andy Goldberg, the Mets’ Chief Marketing Officer, commented on the venture’s success, stating, “I’ve seen it lift our overall awareness and our overall top-of-mind not just attention but I would say, sort of passion and love for the brand.”

Brenden Mallette, the Mets’ Senior Vice President for Corporate Sponsorships, noted the long-standing association with McDonald’s, which has been a sponsor for over a decade. Mallette discussed the organic growth of the partnership, explaining that the phenomenon known as the “Grimace effect” wasn’t a planned campaign.

Goldberg explained the team’s strategic approach, “When we first started to see the momentum that the fans were getting behind it, we quickly realized, ‘Let the fans take this over.'” He credited a team member with advising him to “let the internet, internet,” allowing the fanbase to shape the narrative.

Throughout the season, Grimace maintained a presence in various forms, including appearances in promotional materials, while the Mets continued their on-field success. The campaign has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, according to both Mulligan and Goldberg.

The precise future implications of the Grimace and Mets collaboration remain unclear, though both parties recognize the mutual branding benefits, as highlighted by marketing expert Karen Tiber Leland. She elaborated on the cross-promotional opportunities afforded by such partnerships, noting the ability for each brand to engage with previously untapped audiences.

As the Mets return to Citi Field for a pivotal playoff game against the Philadelphia Phillies, fans and players alike are energized by their homecoming and optimistic for another thrilling performance in the shadow of their surprise mascot.