New York PR Vet, Cheryll Forsatz, Joins McDonald’s USA as Communications Director

Forsatz Recently Honored During PR Week “40 Under 40” Recognition Event

New York PR Vet, Cheryll Forsatz, Joins McDonald's USA as Communications DirectorOAK BROOK, Ill.  (Restaurant News Release)  McDonald’s USA announced today that Cheryll Forsatz has been named to the newly created position of Communications Director for McDonald’s New York Metro Region.  Forsatz will serve as communications advisor for McDonald’s New York Metro leadership team, staff and franchisees, providing counsel on communications strategies and tactics to help build sales, guest counts and market share. Additionally, she will help facilitate alignment in support of McDonald’s U.S. Plan to Win, the East Division Areas of Focus, as well as McDonald’s New York Metro Regional business plans.

Forsatz, recently recognized as one of PRWeek’s40 Under 40” honorees for her contributions in the field of public relations, 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.

“Cheryll brings nearly 20 years of strategic leadership, public relations and communications expertise to this new role,” said Whitman.  “She has the perfect combination of experience, market knowledge and a deep understanding of our brand, necessary to take on this new role and to take our brand to the next level in what is by far the most visible and dynamic marketplace in the world.  We are extremely pleased to have Cheryll on our team.”

In this new role, Forsatz will help build and strengthen McDonald’s relationships with key internal and external audiences as well as direct public relations, public affairs, government relations and crisis management activities.

“Cheryll has a proven track record of success providing PR and communications counsel to McDonald’s leadership and more than 120 of our owner/operators in the New York Metro Region,” said Smoot.  “From her work on the grand openings of our new European-inspired restaurants in Manhattan, to the launch of McCafe and the ‘VIP Moms’ initiative to strengthen brand trust, Cheryll consistently demonstrates that she not only understands our business priorities and culture, but that she also possesses creative leadership qualities that motivate and inspire others.”

Prior to this position, Forsatz worked for the MWW Group, one of the nation’s top ten public relations firms, where she served as Senior Vice President and Director of the agency’s New York consumer practice.  While at the MWW Group, Forsatz led the McDonald’s New York Metro Region account and provided counsel for clients in various industries including food and beverage, financial services, health and fitness, retail and consumer packaged goods.

A recipient of numerous agency and industry awards, including the PRSA Silver Anvil, PRWeek‘s Top 10 Cause Marketing Campaign, Gold SABRE Awards and many others, Forsatz has extensive experience in public relations and marketing communications for a variety of global consumer brands.

Developing PR strategies that benefit the community is an integral part of her new role at McDonald’s.  Forsatz frequently works with Ronald McDonald House Charities to optimize fundraising efforts and works with the team responsible for the charity’s major community service initiatives.  She is an active member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Wayne, NJ where she is a lector and member of the school’s marketing and fundraising committees.

Forsatz holds two bachelor’s degrees from Syracuse University. The first is in Psychology, and the second is in Public Relations from the S.I. Newhouse School of Communications.  Cheryll lives with her husband and two children in Wayne, NJ.

About McDonald’s

McDonald’s USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome food made from quality ingredients to more than 26 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local business men and women. Customers can now log online for free at any of the 11,500 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald’s U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter (@McDonalds) and @McCafeyourday) and Facebook (Facebook.com/McDonalds) for updates on our business, promotions and products.