- Elena Malykhina

Burger King has tapped former Coca-Cola executive Natalia Franco as its evp and global CMO.

Franco, who previously served as vp-global marketing and innovation for Coca-Cola, will oversee the fast-food chain's product innovation, consumer insights and worldwide brand advertising, the company said in a written statement. She will report to Burger King's chairman and CEO, John W. Chidsey.

At Coke, Franco was primarily responsible for the McDonald’s Division’s marketing efforts. Franco also has worked for General Mills, Savoy Brands International in Bogotá, Colombia, and Unilever in Panama and Colombia. Coke declined comment on who would be replacing Franco.

Peter Robinson, former president of Burger King's Europe, Middle East and Africa region, had served as Burger King's interim global CMO. Russ Klein, who left the company in September, had previously held that role.
 
In a separate announcement, Burger King last month named Michael Kappitt as CMO of North America, a newly created post.