McDonald’s most senior UK marketer takes on global role
Alistair Macrow, who joined McDonald’s in 2007, will now run marketing in nine of the fast food chain’s high-growth markets.
McDonald’s UK CMO Alistair Macrow has been promoted to CMO of high-growth markets, where he will be responsible for the marketing strategy in nine countries including China, Hong Kong, Italy, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
Macrow joined McDonalds as UK marketing director from video store Blockbuster in 2007 and climbed the ladder to become senior vice-president of marketing in January 2014.
Having been with the company for the last 11 years, he has seen the growth in the importance of social media and helped oversee a marketing strategy that has looked to debunk food myths, as well as focus on the quality and provenance of its food.
He previously spoke about not being swayed by social media and told Marketing Week in a previous interview: “If I was asked whether I’d be more excited about five million likes or an increase in restaurants sales, I’d pick the latter every single time.”
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Paul Pomroy, chief executive of McDonald’s UK, says: “As UK chief marketing and communications officer he has spearheaded bold advertising campaigns, launched numerous new menu items and has led our work in challenging the myths around our business – leading his team and our agency partners to win numerous industry awards.
“We are delighted that Alistair remains part of the McDonald’s family, and wish him all the best with his new role which is in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the business.”
Vice-president of marketing and food development Emily Somers is now the most senior marketer for McDonald’s UK. Macrow starts his new role this week.
