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BRIEF: McDonald's names new chief marketing officer [Chicago Tribune :: ](Chicago Tribune (IL) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Jan. 23--McDonald's has named a new leader to head up its U.S. marketing efforts. Deborah Wahl, a 25-year industry veteran, will join the Oak Brook-based hamburger giant as chief marketing officer, a spokeswoman confirmed Wednesday. Wahl, 51, who most recently served as chief marketing officer of Michigan-based home builder PulteGroup Inc., will assume her new role on March 3. She replaces Neil Golden, chief marketing officer for McDonald's USA since 2008, who announced his retirement in September. A Michigan native who holds an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, Wahl previously worked in the automotive industry for brands such as Lexus, Toyota and Ford. At McDonald's, Wahl will be tasked with developing and executing a market strategy to beef up sales that have been flat for the past two years in the face of increased competition and problems with new product rollouts. The company has about 14,000 locations in the U.S. and more than 34,000 worldwide. McDonald's is scheduled to report its fourth quarter and 2013 earnings on Thursday. [email protected] Twitter @RobertChannick ___ (c)2014 the Chicago Tribune Visit the Chicago Tribune at www.chicagotribune.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |