Episode 29
Looking Outside Archives: Mike Bullington, Archivist McDonald's
In episode 29 we peek back in time and look at the future that comes from the past, exploring the field of Archives with Senior Manager of the McDonald’s Golden Archives, Archivist Mike Bullington.
As an information gathering profession, often thought to be buried in old relics and secret data, Mike shares how he turns the knowledge into action, amplified by people throughout the organization, by making people care about the past.
Mike shares the process of deciding when something is valuable enough to keep - how to see its intrinsic value - and why he relies on collecting stories told first hand by their creators. Importantly, Mike speaks to why we must keep those items that are shameful parts of our past, as they speak to the truth of the context of time in which they existed, and retell stories as they were remembered.
Jo and Mike reflect on the difference between digital items versus those that are physically tangible, how things like letters and books are remembered differently even if they hold the same information. And how, no matter what the format, what’s most important is that the artefacts of the past are illuminated through storytelling, that they are fact checked for accuracy, and of course that the stories of the past are not lost, especially by those voices previously muted.
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To look outside, Mike speak to younger people who are coming into the field and have knowledge of new information-keeping tools. Being around young people also keeps Mike full of fresh ideas, as his mum liked to say. He also accesses a broad array of sources, from literature and the archives community, to stay abreast of the latest practices, and exchange tools and resources.
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Michael Bullington is a certified archivist and the senior manager for McDonald’s Golden Archives. He is responsible for ensuring that the legacy of the McDonald’s brand is preserved in support of the business.
Prior to joining McDonald’s, Mike served as an archivist for Kraft Foods Inc. and Rush Medical Center. He previously served as President of the Academy of Certified Archivists, Chair of the Illinois State Archives Advisory Board and the Illinois State Records Advisory Board.
Mike is a Member of the Academy of Certified Archivists, the Society of American Archivists, the Midwest Archive Conference and the Chicago Area Archivists.
Mike holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in history from Illinois State University. In 2012, the Illinois State University Department of History recognized him as a Distinguished Alumnus.
Connect with Mike on LinkedIn and follow him on Twitter @AramundMike
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Looking Outside is a podcast dedicated to exploring fresh perspectives of familiar business topics. The show is hosted by its creator, Joanna Lepore, consumer goods innovator and futurist at McDonald's. Find out more at looking-outside.com.
Connect with Jo and join the Looking Outside community on LinkedIn.
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All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2023.
