McDonald's Corporation Names Mary Dillon as Global Chief Marketing Officer

McDonald's Corporation (NYSE: MCD) today announced that Mary Dillon has been named Executive Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer for the company, succeeding Larry Light, who will retire at the end of this year.

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."

In accepting the post, Dillon said, "This is one of the best marketing jobs in the world, and I am excited and immensely proud to join this world- class team that touches millions of consumers every day. I would like to begin this new role by thanking Larry Light and the entire marketing team for building a tradition of customer relevancy at McDonald's. I will work to continue this record of marketing leadership and build brand strength going forward."

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.

"We want to make sure Mary has the full benefit of Larry's creativity and strategic thinking," Roberts said. "Our global marketing program is one of the critical drivers of our business. A seamless transition -- one that remains sharply focused on our customers -- is essential to our continued momentum."

As Global Chief Marketing Officer, Dillon will be responsible for all aspects of global brand management, including strategy development, research, creative, marketing alliances, global sponsorships, and alignment with country-level marketing activities. She will also assume leadership of the McDonald's Balanced Lifestyles Initiative.

"Mary's diverse marketing background -- in food, beverage, fitness and family-uniquely qualifies her to lead our charge to be increasingly relevant in the lives of our customers," Roberts said. "We're making good progress, but we can and will do much more going forward."

A graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago, Dillon was appointed Division President of Quaker Foods in 2004. Prior to that, she served in a variety of key marketing and brand management positions for the company. These included Vice President of Marketing, Quaker Foods, (2002-2004); Vice President of Marketing, Gatorade and Propel Fitness Waters (2000-2002); Senior Vice President of Marketing, Gardenburger, Inc. (1996-2000); and Director of Product Offerings, Snapple Natural Beverages (1995-1996).

Dillon, a fitness and running enthusiast, is married and the mother of four children. She and her family reside in Evanston.

McDonald's is the leading foodservice retailer with more than 30,000 local restaurants serving local customers in more than 100 countries. Approximately 70% of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent businessmen and women.

  Mary Dillon
  President - Quaker Foods

  Mary assumed this role in September of 2004, and is responsible for the
  $1.8B Quaker Foods Division, including such brands as Quaker Oatmeal,
  Cap'n Crunch, Life, Aunt Jemima Syrup and Mix, and Rice-A-Roni.
  Previously, Mary was the Vice President of Marketing for Quaker Foods.
  Prior to that, Mary held the position of Vice President of Product
  Offerings for Gatorade and Propel (2000-2002).  While the majority of her
  career was at Quaker Oats, she spent four years (1996-2000) in an
  entrepreneurial environment as the VP of Marketing at Gardenburger, Inc.
  in Portland, Oregon.  Mary joined Quaker in 1984 out of undergraduate
  school, and worked on various brands and categories throughout her career,
  including syrup, snacks, hot cereals, pet foods, and beverages.

  Mary is a board member of the Housing Opportunities for Women, an
  organization working to provide permanent solutions to the problems of
  homelessness and poverty for women and children.

  Mary attended the University of Illinois, and received BS in Marketing
  with a minor in Asian Studies.  Mary is the mother of four school-aged
  children and attributes her successful work/life balance to her husband
  Terry, who retired as a biochemist 12 years ago to raise their children
  full-time.  In her free time, Mary enjoys fitness and family fun,
  including running, skiing, and biking.



  Larry Light, Executive Vice President - Global Chief Marketing Officer

  Larry Light, executive vice president and global chief marketing officer
  of McDonald's Corporation, is responsible for McDonald's global marketing
  strategy and overall brand development efforts.

  He was most recently the founding president and CEO of Arcature, a
  consulting firm focused on brand building for some of the world's best
  known brands. Prior to founding Arcature, Light was chairman and CEO of
  the international division of Bates Advertising, where he served on the
  worldwide board. Before joining Bates, Light was executive vice president
  for Marketing and Media Services at BBDO Worldwide, where he began his
  career in 1965.

  Light has also represented the marketing industry at Federal Trade
  Commission hearings and before both House and Senate hearings on
  legislation affecting marketing. Additionally, Light was the first
  chairman of the Coalition for Brand Equity - an advocacy organization
  founded by advertisers, agencies and media.

  A graduate of McGill University, the Canadian-born Light holds a doctorate
  degree from Ohio State University in Industrial Psychology. He has taught
  at New York University, The Wharton School at the University of
  Pennsylvania, Indiana University's Kelley School of Business, and in the
  Executive Program at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Business.

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SOURCE: McDonald's Corporation

CONTACT: Investors, Mary Kay Shaw, +1-630-623-7559, or Media, Walt
Riker, +1-630-623-7318, both of McDonald's Corporation

Web site: http://www.mcdonalds.com/