Wendy's announces appointment of Liliana Esposito as chief communications officer; Esposito most recently worked for Dean Foods as VP, corporate communications and public affairs

Nevin Barich

DUBLIN, Ohio , June 3, 2014 (press release) – The Wendy's Company (NASDAQ: WEN) announced today that Liliana Esposito, 39, has been named Chief Communications Officer.

Esposito will be succeeding John Barker, who has decided to leave the Company after 18 years of outstanding service to the Wendy's® brand. The two will work closely together to ensure a seamless transition.

"Given the rapidly changing communications landscape, I am delighted to have someone with Liliana Esposito's broad experience and capability for this critical role. Her knowledge, counsel and expertise will be invaluable, as we continue to transform and position Wendy's for greater growth," said Wendy's President and Chief Executive Officer Emil Brolick.

Most recently, Esposito worked for Dean Foods, the nation's largest processor and distributor of dairy products, as Vice President, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs. As a member of Dean's® executive leadership team, she was responsible for aligning communications with business needs and successfully executing engagement strategies for key internal and external audiences.

She also played a key role in Dean's re-structuring into three distinct businesses, served as president of the company's philanthropic foundation and spearheaded communications on critical topics such as environmental sustainability, animal welfare and nutrition.

Prior to Dean Foods, Esposito held a number of roles of increasing scale and complexity that included Mercury Public Affairs, where she was Senior Vice President and led campaigns for leading corporate and non-profit clients. She also worked as a Public Affairs Manager for Mars Inc. and, earlier in her career, as a Senior Associate with Burson-Marsteller.
Esposito holds a J.D. from Seton Hall University and a B.A. from The University of Virginia.

About The Wendy's Company

The Wendy's Company is the world's third-largest quick-service hamburger company. The Wendy's system includes more than 6,500 franchise and Company-operated restaurants in the United States and 29 countries and U.S. territories worldwide. For more information, visit aboutwendys.com or wendys.com.

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