The Golden Arches appear to be in the future of the Minneapolis media agency Olson.

According to the trade journal PRWeek, Olson has been added to McDonald's roster of advertising agencies to do public relations, ­handle social media duties and unspecified experimental options.

Olson and McDonald's aren't commenting on the relationship, but it would be a significant addition for Olson, which recently increased its national presence by handling Yoplait Greek yogurt advertising for General Mills.

"It's Happy Meals all around," said Jennifer Johnson, an advertising ­professor at the University of Minnesota. "Olson has their foot in the door with a multinational brand."

Olson also has been selected to handle co-op advertising and marketing for nearly 200 McDonald's franchises in the Twin Cities, according to the blog Agency Spy.

Olson's public relations and social media division, which will handle the McDonald's account, was renamed Olson Engage this summer. It has about 80 employees.

The unit got its introduction to McDonald's this summer when it handled a McDonald's- sponsored event in the Netherlands that set a Guinness world record for the largest gathering of redheaded people in a single location. Red-haired Ronald McDonald was in attendance as well.

The new assignment for Olson is for work in 2014.

"This is great news for everyone," said Johnson. "This helps promote the Minneapolis advertising community on a national and global level."

McDonald's is the ­latest of several new accounts, including Sharp Electronics and mortgage lender ­Guaranteed Rate, for the 450-person agency.

David Phelps • 612-673-7269