Dillon, 44, is currently President of Quaker Foods, a Chicago-based division of PepsiCo Corporation.
She will assume her global responsibilities as McDonald’s marketing leader effective October 3rd, reporting to Mike Roberts, McDonald’s President and Chief Operating Officer.
In making the announcement, Jim Skinner, McDonald’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “Mary Dillon is an extremely talented executive who brings a remarkable combination of marketing and general management expertise to McDonald’s. Mary will add energetic leadership and creative thinking to a global marketing team that continues to deepen relationships with our customers. Mike and I are very confident that Mary has both the skills and the determination to lead our global marketing and brand management to an important new level.”
Roberts said that throughout the remainder of 2005 Dillon and the retiring Light will work closely to ensure a smooth marketing leadership transition. Additionally, Light will maintain a consulting relationship with McDonald’s after he retires, on terms to be determined.