LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Staci Rawls has been named chief communications officer at KFC US for Yum! Brands Inc. In this newly created role, Rawls will oversee the development of KFC’s overall business narrative, the company said, as well as lead all external and internal communications, including public relations, crisis and issues management, public affairs and social purpose efforts.

Rawls was most recently director of public affairs for KFC US, a position she held for the past three and a half years. She joined KFC in March 2015 as director of internal communications.

“During her tenure as KFC US director of public affairs, Rawls oversaw major brand milestones, including the realized commitment to remove antibiotics important to human medicine from the poultry supply chain for KFC US,” KFC said. “She led the transformation of KFC US communications strategy, fully integrating external and internal communications functions to create a singular brand voice that resonates across functions.”

Before KFC, Rawls spent three years as senior manager of communications and operations services for Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, and prior to that she was communications and brand consultant for JCPenney. Earlier in her career, Rawls spent two years as a copywriter and marketing communications project lead at Papa John’s International.

“Staci has been a key leader in KFC’s brand turnaround in the US,” said Kevin Hochman, president of KFC US. “In this new expanded role, I am confident that she will continue to shape and tell our story and become a bigger part of our vision of being a brand customers trust and champion.”