The following message was sent to the McDonald’s System from Skye Anderson, Morgan Flatley, and Jill McDonald.

Hello all,

Today, we want to share an important update about the future of our marketing leadership.

After 15 years with McDonald’s, Alyssa Buetikofer has chosen to leave the company to spend more time with her family. She will remain with us through December 18, helping ensure a smooth transition and supporting the team through the end of the year.

Throughout her career, Alyssa has made a lasting mark across our global, U.S. and Canadian businesses, delivering successful launches, memorable brand moments and menu innovations. From serving as Chief Marketing Officer of McDonald’s Canada to her most recent role as U.S. Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer, she has helped shape some of our most impactful work—including the returns of Snack Wraps and Monopoly, the launch of our new beverage platform and the record-breaking Grinch Meal.

Just as importantly, Alyssa has brought strong customer instincts, thoughtful leadership and deep partnership with Owner/Operators to her work. She has helped strengthen our marketing capabilities and position the brand for continued growth. We are grateful for her impact and wish Alyssa and her family every success in this next chapter.

As we prepare for this transition, we have a clear interim plan with proven leaders who know our business and System well. While we conduct a search for our new U.S. CMO, Morgan Flatley will support the U.S. business as interim Chief Creative Officer while continuing in her current role as Global CMO and Head of New Business Ventures. Charlie Newberger will serve as interim SVP, U.S. Chief Marketing & Commercial Officer.

Morgan is no stranger to the U.S. business, serving as U.S. Chief Marketing & Digital Customer Experience Officer from 2017-2021.  Morgan brings creativity to the heart of the growth agenda and was the driving force behind some of our most inspiring and traffic-generating marketing campaigns, including the “Fan Truths” strategy and the record-breaking “Famous Orders” collaborations. In today’s environment, creativity is the difference maker for brands, and Morgan’s leadership puts us in a strong position to develop big ideas that build the brand and accelerate growth.   

As the interim SVP, U.S. Chief Marketing & Commercial Officer, Charlie will lead marketing operations and translate marketing strategy into integrated commercial execution across the U.S. business and System.

He has been an instrumental member of the McDonald’s family for more than 17 years, serving in roles across operations, field marketing, value, field leadership and, most recently, Charlie led the Global Beverage strategy. These experiences have given him both breadth and depth across the customer and crew experience and have positioned him well to take on this new leadership role.

Charlie will also have responsibility for OPNAD and Owner/Operator engagement and alignment, ensuring greater accountability in how we activate our most important marketing priorities.