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KFC names chain's first chief communications officer

March 7, 2019

KFC Corporation today named Staci Rawls as its first chief communications officer. She had been serving as the U.S. Director of Public Affairs but in her new role will oversee KFC's public relations, public affairs, social purpose endeavors and crises/issues management, according to a company press release. Before joining KFC, Rawls filled a communications role at Dallas-based Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers.

"Staci has been a key leader in KFC's brand turnaround in the U.S.," KFC U.S. President Kevin Hochman, said in the release. "In this new expanded role, I am confident that she will continue to shape and tell our story, and become a bigger part of our vision of being a brand customers trust and champion."

In her four years with the brand, Rawls oversaw brand initiatives like its commitment to remove antibiotics important to human medicine from the poultry supply chain for KFC U.S. She also led efforts like the brand's sell-out offering of fried chicken-scented sunscreen and 11 Herbs & Spices Firelogs. 

"It's been an incredible honor to play a role in this iconic brand's monumental turnaround - both inside our organization and outside - as the brand becomes increasingly relevant and distinct to consumers and media," Rawls said in the release. "Breaking through the clutter of the modern media environment is challenging, and I couldn't be more excited to continue to innovate communication strategies that bring our company narrative to life and drive our business forward."

Rawls' previously worked in communications for J.C. Penney Co., Papa John's International and Raising Cane's. 

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