In an effort to ramp up its presence on the net, McDonald's has appointed Rick Wion as its first ever social media chief. Wion had directed the company's social media projects since 2006, and was the founder of its Digital Task Force, reports Ad Age. He was also responsible for handling its Twitter account and devising multiple lines of communication.
Wion said that his objectives consist of three elements: building the business through social media, handling customer inquiries, and targeting demographics. His first major project will be to direct outreach to moms who blog.
He will report to Heather Oldani, director of external communications and public relations, and will be assisted by his own support staff. Oldani says that the hiring denotes the company's growing involvement with social media.
Wion had worked with GolinHarris prior to joining McDonald's. There he was charged with the digital strategies of Johnson & Johnson, Unilever, and BP. He was also a consultant in the FDA-regulated pharmaceutical advertising field.
