McDonald's Names New Ethnic Marketing VP

OAK BROOK, IL -- McDonald's USA has announced that Edgardo A. Navarro Linares has been promoted to Vice President, Multicultural Marketing, McDonald's USA. In this role, Navarro will be responsible for McDonald's U.S. strategic and ethnic consumer marketing efforts. Reporting to McDonald's U.S. Chief Marketing Officer Neil Golden, Navarro will assume his new role, effective January 4, 2011.

"Multicultural marketing at McDonald's is more than segmented ethnic advertising campaigns; it's a business imperative and an integral element in our business strategy and marketing plans," said Golden. "With Edgardo's leadership, we will continue to align and allocate resources in support of the most significant growth areas of our business and ensure that an ethnic consumer perspective is understood and applied at all points throughout the marketing process."

"With the growing influence of ethnic consumers on mainstream trends including music, food, sports, fashion and lifestyle, I am delighted to take on this new role and build upon McDonald's success as a brand that customers know and trust," said Navarro. "Our multicultural marketing efforts are critical in helping us to expand and build brand relevance in the U.S. with our diverse customer base. I am honored to assume this responsibility."

An 18-year McDonald's veteran with a strong business and financial acumen, Navarro has a proven track record for success.
Most recently, Navarro served as the Vice President & General Manager of McDonald's Indianapolis Region, which encompasses a total of 598 restaurants in Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois and Missouri.

Among his most notable accomplishments was the development of a comprehensive business and marketing plan for the launch of McDonald's McCafe beverages. Navarro's focus and commitment to excellence led the Indianapolis Region to consistently achieve one of the highest rates of growth in this important area of the McDonald's business.
He has held a variety of leadership positions at McDonald's in the U.S. and Central America. Prior to his role as General Manager in Indianapolis, Navarro served as vice president of the company's Houston Region's operations team.

As the former President of McDonald's Central America, Purchasing Director for McDonald's Puerto Rico, International Purchasing in Home Office and Senior Financial Manager for the Asia-Pacific Division, Navarro has developed and executed business and financial plans that have successfully impacted the McDonald's business since 1993.
Navarro is the former President and Founder of RMHC Panama. He also organized RMHC Chapters for El Salvador, Honduras and Costa Rica and served as the Houston Region's Hispanic Lead for Inclusion & Diversity Networks. He is currently chairs the National Hispanic Employee Business Network (NHEBN).

Navarro received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Chicago. He will be moving to the Chicago area with his wife Kenya and sons Felipe and Nicolas.