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McDonald's finds its new 'Voice'

April 27, 2012

Chrislyn Hamilton, a McDonald's crew member from Brisbane, Australia, took top honors in the Voice of McDonald’s global singing competition with her rendition of “Natural Woman.”

A panel of internationally-renowned music and entertainment industry professionals judged the final competition. The panel consisted of six-time Grammy Award-winning R&B singer Toni Braxton, DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, music producers Ron Fair and David Foster, and entertainment attorney and brand strategist Ken Hertz.

As the new Voice of McDonald's winner, Hamilton receives $25,000, lends her voice to an upcoming DreamWorks Animation movie, a recording contract with award-winning producer Ron Fair, an appearance in an upcoming McDonald's TV commercial in her market, and, compliments of Coca-Cola, a VIP trip to the American Idol finals in Los Angeles.

The second place winner was Stephanie Savage from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada; third place went to Dyscem Mueldener from Munich, Germany; and fourth place was Lyam Soto from Fajardo, Puerto Rico.

Savage receives $17,500, Mueldener receives $15,000 and Soto takes home $12,500 for their performances. They also will appear in an upcoming McDonald's TV commercial in their respective markets.

The other 12 global contestants win $3,000, $500 for a party with co-workers at their restaurants and a $1,000 donation in their names for their local Ronald McDonald House Charities or other children's charity.

"I'm so proud of Chrislyn and am so happy for her," said Steve Flook, McDonald's Australia Owner/Operator. "From the day she began working in my restaurant, she was a star employee behind the counter and also showed that spirit on stage today."

This week, all 16 contestants will participate in an exclusive, private audition at the Disney casting offices arranged by Talent Casting Director for Disney Parks Ray DeChiara, who judged Monday's semi-finals competition.

The Voice of McDonald's is a worldwide contest to discover the most talented singers among the approximately 1.8 million restaurant employees in the McDonald's system. This fourth edition of the competition started with an initial field of more than 20,000 entries, included more than 70 country contests and 30 live performances before the popular singing competition called on consumers in five markets and top music industry professionals to narrow the field to 16 semi-finalist contestants.

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