News

McDonald's taps new communications director for NY region

November 17, 2010

Cheryll Forsatz has been named communications director for the McDonald's New York Metro Region. The newly created position entails advising the region's leadership team, staff and franchisees, and providing ideas for communications strategies as well as ideas on how to build sales, market share and guest counts.

Forsatz will help build internal and external audiences, public affairs, government relations and crisis management activities. She also is expected to support the company's Plan to Win strategy, its East Division Areas of Focus, and McDonald's New York Metro Regional business plans.

There are more than 120 owner/operators in the region.

Forsatz holds two bachelor's degrees from Syracuse University, one in psychology and one in public relations from the S.I. Newhouse School of Communications.

Prior to her appointment at McDonald's, she worked as senior vice president and director of MWW Group's New York consumer practice. McDonald's was one of Forsatz's accounts while at the public relations firm, and she worked on the company's campaigns such as grand openings of the European-inspired restaurants in Manhattan, the launch of the McCafe, and the VIP Moms initiative. She also works with Ronald McDonald House Charities for its major community service initiative.

In her new role, Forsatz will report to Bill Whitman, vice president, communications, McDonald's USA, and Mason Smoot, vice president and general manager, McDonald's New York Metro Region.