“Ronald is recognized by more than 99% of U.S. consumers. … Of course, just because consumers know someone doesn't mean they like them or trust them.”

—CHRIS ANDERSON, communications director for The Marketing Arm, which ranks the McDonald's mascot, Ronald McDonald, fourth in consumer awareness out of 2,800 celebrities in an index, but 2,109th in terms of likeability. This week, a corporate watchdog group got more than 600 health-care professionals and organizations to sign a letter asking McDonald's to retire the clown and stop using him to market junk food to kids. The company says Ronald isn't going anywhere. [via The Wall Street Journal]