Get All Access for $5/mo

Obama's Ex-Press Secretary Is Now Working at McDonald's McDonald's wants to be seen as a 'modern, progressive burger company' with the help of Robert Gibbs.

By Kate Taylor

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Monica Dipres

Where better to get find someone to clean up your company's outdated reputation than the White House?

On Tuesday, McDonald's announced the appointments of Robert Gibbs as executive vice president, global chief communications officer, and Silvia Lagnado as executive vice president, global chief marketing officer.

"Robert and Silvia are both highly-respected, talented leaders who will bring a wealth of experience and outside perspective to McDonald's as we build a more modern, progressive burger company," McDonald's CEO Steve Easterbrook said in a statement.

Gibbs knows a thing or two about marketing a modern, progressive concept. He served as President Barack Obama's press secretary during his first term and as senior campaign advisor during the re-election campaign. Most recently, Gibbs worked at The Incite Agency, a communications advisory firm he co-founded in 2013.

Related: After More Than a Year of Hurtful Headlines, McDonald's to Stop Reporting Monthly Sales

Lagnado has a similarly prestigious background, most recently serving as chief marketing officer at Bacardi. In 2012, she was recognized as one of the 100 most influential women in advertising by Ad Age.

The two fresh hires are intended to help McDonald's overhaul its less than positive reputation. The chain has come under fire for everything from its treatment of employees to its allegedly unhealthy food. McDonald's is already making moves to change how customers view the company, with adjustments such as sourcing chicken raised with minimal antibiotics and increasing employee benefits. Gibbs and Lagnado's duties will be to clarify and craft this new reputation, both internally and externally – and convince customers that the changes are genuine.

Related: Soon, Google Will Allow You to Order Fast Food Simply by Smiling at the Cashier

Kate Taylor

Reporter

Kate Taylor is a reporter at Business Insider. She was previously a reporter at Entrepreneur. Get in touch with tips and feedback on Twitter at @Kate_H_Taylor. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Side Hustle

This Former Starbucks Employee Started a Side Hustle That's Making More Than $70,000 a Month — and He's Not Done Yet

When Tom Saar moved to New York City, he spotted a lucrative business opportunity.

Business News

Is One Company to Blame for Soaring Rental Prices in the U.S.?

The FBI recently raided a major corporate landlord while investigating a rent price-fixing scheme. Here's what we know.

Business News

Amazon Has a Blank Book Problem: Buyers Report Receiving Fakes of Bestselling UFO Book

The book looked fine on the outside, but the inside was out-of-this-world.

Business News

Paramount Leadership Alludes to Layoffs If Merger Does Not Go Through

Paramount is awaiting approval on its merger with Skydance Media from majority shareholder Shari Redstone.

Business News

Microsoft Reportedly Lays Off Over 1,500 Employees in Cloud Sector as Partnership with OpenAI Strengthens

Alphabet also reportedly laid off employees from several teams in Google's cloud unit last week.

Side Hustle

10 Online Side Hustles Proven to Boost Your Bank Account

Even the busiest schedules can accommodate finding a precious few hours to create a profitable online venture — something that many are already mastering.