NEW YORK
American fast food giant McDonald's hired former White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs as its new public relations chief, the company announced Tuesday.
He "will bring a wealth of experience and outside perspective to McDonald's as we build a more modern, progressive burger company", company's CEO Steve Easterbrook said in a press statement.
The former White House spokesman served the administration during President Barack Obama’s first term from 2009 to 2011; then as senior campaign advisor during Obama’s re-election campaign in 2012.
After leaving the administration, he co-founded the Incite Agency, a strategic communications advisory firm.
"In his new role, Gibbs will lead McDonald's corporate relations group, which manages internal and external communications and government and public affairs," the company said.
"He will lead McDonald's in communicating clear, coordinated messages to internal and external constituencies, enhancing the brand and supporting corporate strategies," it added.
Gibbs assumes his new post as the company struggles to recover from declining sales in a highly competitive fast food market, populated by rival such as Shake Shack, Panera and Chipotle.
