McDonald’s South Africa is pleased to announce the appointment of Keegan Alicks as Chief Marketing Officer, effective 1 April 2026. This strategic appointment reinforces the organisation’s commitment to accelerating its growth strategy, Accelerating the Arches, and strengthening brand relevance in the South African market.
Commenting on the appointment, Max Oliva, CEO of McDonald’s South Africa, said, “In support of our commitment to accelerating the Arches, it gives me great pleasure to announce the appointment of Keegan Alicks as Chief Marketing Officer. Keegan brings a depth of marketing experience and proven leadership that will be instrumental as we continue to evolve our brand and strengthen our connection with South African consumers.”
Keegan joins McDonald’s South Africa with more than 20 years of experience building brands at scale within complex, performance-driven environments. He brings a strong track record of delivering sustainable growth through data-led insights, digital capability, and disciplined execution.
He has held senior leadership roles at Unilever Southern Africa, where he served as Marketing Director for Beauty and Personal Care and was a member of the Unilever Southern Africa Executive Team. Most recently, he was the National Marketing Executive for Advertising and Promotions at the SPAR Group.
Throughout his career, Keegan has consistently delivered competitive growth and strong market-share performance across highly dynamic portfolios. He is recognised for his ability to align cross-functional teams, build high-trust partnerships, and translate strategy into execution at scale.
His experience in operating within franchise and retail-driven environments, combined with his focus on customer-centric, data-led decision-making, positions him strongly to lead McDonald’s marketing function into its next phase of growth.
“We are delighted to welcome Keegan to McDonald’s South Africa and look forward to the leadership, energy and perspective he brings to our business,” concluded Max.