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McDonald’s names PepsiCo senior marketing director Jenni Dill as new chief marketer

Jenni Dill appointed as McDonald's CMO

Jenni Dill: Replaces Lollback as McDonald’s CMO

McDonald’s has named Jenni Dill its new chief marketing officer in Australia following the departure of Mark Lollback, Mumbrella can reveal.

Dill, former senior marketing director for PepsiCo Australia and New Zealand, joins McDonald’s in May and replaces Mark Lollback who returned to the advertising side of the business as CEO of Group M earlier this month.

Dill has spent much of her career with PepsiCo companies, including Frito Lay, working largely in snacks and drinks, with roles in Australia, New York and the UK.

McDonald’s CEO Andrew Gregory said the appointment of Dill would bring fresh thinking to the brand.

“We have a very strong, diverse and experienced marketing team and I am confident that under the leadership of Jenni we will continue to drive the 2016 marketing plan and accelerate our business momentum,” Gregory said.

“Jenni’s fresh thinking and ideas will be a real asset to our existing people. We are fortunate to have such a successful marketer with such strong business and commercial expertise join the team.”

Dill said she saw a great future with the brand. “I am delighted to join the McDonald’s team at such an exciting time,” Dill said.

“McDonald’s is such an iconic brand and it is an honour to be part of the team shaping its future here in Australia. I look forward to delivering some outstanding plans and results.”

Dill has overseen a number of innovations at PepsiCo in recent months, including the local introduction of the Emojis campaign.

The marketing function at McDonald’s has been the focus of attention in recent months, first with the departure of marketing vice president Margaret Zabel after just a year in the role, and then Mark Lollback’s departure.

The appointment of Dill also comes as the brand reviews its local public relations account, which is shared between DDB-aligned agency Mango and WPP-aligned PPR.

It also comes as the brand in the US moves to streamline its creative agency roster, currently aligned globally with both DDB and Leo Burnett.

The company has confirmed the review is being conducted solely in the US with no plans to change the structure of the Australian market.

Strong performance in Australia in recent months contributed a 12% lift in international revenues for the restaurant chain, and the brand has continued to drive its local menus, introducing all-day breakfasts earlier this year.

Simon Canning

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