McDonald’s has named former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs as its global chief communications officer, as the fast-food giant looks to improve its image. The company said Gibbs will manage the company’s communications and government affairs and help to improve its well-known brand. He replaces Bridget Coffing, who announced her retirement earlier this year.
Gibbs served as President Obama’s first White House press secretary and as a senior adviser during the president’s re-election campaign. He then co-founded The Incite Agency, a strategic communications advisory firm.
Steve Easterbrook, McDonald’s CEO, said in a statement that both Gibbs and new Chief Marketing Officer Silvia Lagnado will offer a wealth of experience and outside perspective “as we build a more modern, progressive burger company.”
Lagnado spent more than 20 years at consumer products maker Unilever Plc. She also has worked as chief marketing officer for Bacardi Ltd.
Easterbrook took over as CEO in March and has been fighting to revive sluggish sales for the Oak Brook, Illinois-based company, which has more than 36,000 locations globally. McDonald’s said Monday that sales from established locations dipped last month, with weakness in the United States and some overseas markets. The company’s turnaround plan includes a restructuring to strip away layers of bureaucracy and selling more company-owned restaurants to franchisees around the world.
