• by Nina Lentini  @Nina_Lentini, March 12, 2007

McDonald's will unveil new cup and bag packaging Thursday featuring the faces of 24 people around the world chosen from last year's "Global Casting Call," which received 13,000 entries.

One-third of the "Citizen Celebrities" are from the U.S.--with the rest from South America, Australia and Asia, and ranging in age from 5 to 50-plus. They were chosen based on their essays and photos that captured the "I'm lovin' it" spirit.

CMO Mary Dillon and three of the 24 will be on hand to unveil the packaging at McDonald's flagship restaurant at Clark and Ontario in Chicago. A company spokesperson says the campaign was very powerful because the response was great, even though there was no advertising. Instead, it was a grassroots effort with PR, a Web site announcement and directions on packaging.

McDonald's flew the 24 (and guests) to London last August for photo sessions with lifestyle photographer Nick Clements in which they demonstrated their passions, from sports to music and entertainment as well as hobbies and simple pleasures.

The citizens join other McD packaging stars such as tennis powerhouses Venus and Serena Williams, basketball sensation Yao Ming and super-group Destiny's Child.

The 24 "join" the company at a time when the news is all good. Last week, the burger joint reported a 5.7% increase in global same-store sales--up nearly 1% from January and nearly 1.5% higher than a year ago.

The growth was led by Asia, where sales were up by 12.3%, compared with an 8% for the year-ago period. Sales were strongest in Japan and China. Sales rose 5.9% in Europe--down from 6.4% a year ago. And U.S. sales were down slightly--at 3.1%, compared with 3.4% a year ago.

That news came on the heels of a Consumer Reports taste test that gave McDonald's the top spot in a coffee competition among industry rivals Dunkin' Donuts, Burger King and Starbucks.

Not content with that accolade, the company is reportedly moving closer to bringing lattes and cappuccinos to its menu. The quick-serve giant is looking to give its morning menu a competitive edge over those entering the breakfast market. The new drinks will be part of a destination beverage line that will act as direct competition to Starbucks' dominance in coffee.

Although not yet available nationwide, the drinks are already being sold in Michigan, New York, and New Jersey. McDonald's has also begun to install large black machines needed to make specialty drinks behind some of its counters, The Wall Street Journal reported.