ABOUT the FOUNDER
Me and my platinum record. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)
Douglas Freeland is founder, editor and publisher of The Weekly Opine. Freeland first tasted opinion-style writing as a guest columnist at the Joliet Times Weekly in the early-1990’s. Freeland is a 1980 graduate of Indiana University/Bloomington, earning a degree in telecommunications (now The Media School) with minors in business and political science.
Freeland cut his teeth at Chicago ad agency giants Foote, Cone & Belding and J. Walter Thompson, as a media planner/buyer. Brief stints at National Black Network Radio and Brainstorm Communications led him to the Quaker Oats Company in 1990, where he managed “Voices of Tomorrow,” featuring celebrity gospel artists Vicky Winans, Kirk Franklin and Yolanda Adams.
Freeland joined McDonald’s USA in 1995, launching a 22-year career. At Mickey D’s he was project director overseeing the world renown “Monopoly at McDonald’s” promotion (NOTE: after the McMillions stolen game piece scandal occurred). He was executive director of the McDonald’s All American Games and executive produced “McDonald’s Live,” an award-winning, emerging artist concert series featuring Ne-yo, One Republic and Keri Hilson. He led the company’s NASCAR sponsorship of Chip Ganassi Racing.
Freeland also negotiated a “360-degree” partnership with superstar producer/artist Timbaland. Freeland earned a platinum record as client-side executive producer for a McDonald’s promotion that featured Tim’s hit single, “The Way I Are,” helping push the “Shock Value” CD past 1,000,000 sales.
LEFT PHOTO: In L.A. on set during commercial production with LeBron James in 2011. RIGHT PHOTO: In L.A. at NBC Studios with Jay Leno in 2009. (Photos credit Douglas Freeland)
During his tenure at McDonald’s, Freeland collaborated with a range of celebrities including Regis Philbin, LeBron James, Jay Leno, Bo Jackson, Stephen A. Smith, Eric Holder, Robert Rodriquez, Jason Derulo, Mike Ditka, Deion Sanders, Jerry Rice, Jamie McMurray, Michelle Wie, Jay Williams and Trevor Jackson. Freeland partnered with top brands including the NFL, ESPN, Coca Cola, Disney, Miramax, Live Nation, House of Blues, Sony PlayStation, Microsoft XBOX, EA Sports and the major music labels, while creating successful, sales-generating branded entertainment promotions.
Freeland serves on the Executive Dean’s Advisory Board at Indiana University’s College of Arts and Sciences and is a past chair. He also serves on the board of Grassroots Garden Group, which consists of “green thumbs” in his hometown. Freeland formerly served on the Chicago Sports Commission.
In 2023, Freeland was named a Distinguished Alumni of IU’s Media School and in 2024 was inducted into IU’s Presidents Circle. Previously, in 2022, he created an annual scholarship empowering undergraduate students studying public relations at IU.
Having moved on from corporate culture, Freeland is free to express opinions via The Weekly Opine. Fiercely independent, Freeland believes that, similar to figure skating scoring, America should toss out extreme “scores.” Common sense patriots, representing the diversity of people who now inhabit America, should work together to solve America’s challenges.
Sports-wise, Freeland is a huge Indiana “IU” fan. Favorite sporting event to attend is the Indianapolis 500. Music interests include a variety of genres; R&B, jazz, rock, house, rap, country, big band, classical…