OAK BROOK, I--McDonald’s has named 25-year company veteran Bridget Coffing as its new global head of communications, succeeding Jack Daly who passed away in January of this year.

Coffing, who had been occupying the role on an interim basis, becomes SVP of McDonald’s corporate relations,  overseeing media relations, marketing communications, public relations, corporate social responsibility, internal communications and government relations.

Coffing will report to McDonald's CEO Jim Skinner.

"The way we communicate about our brand and the work we do in social responsibility are crucial in earning trust," Skinner said. "Bridget is the ideal leader to help shape our strategic brand communications and to strengthen our efforts to make a difference as a corporate citizen."

Coffing joined McDonald's in 1985 from Golin/Harris Communications, where she specialized in food and consumer marketing.

Daly led McDonald’s global PR function for almost a decade. He died after a long battle with cancer at the age of 62.