just a little sign of the times?

man oh man, you can't buy publicity this bad.

McDonald's Corp said Charlie Bell, who stepped down as the fast-food chain's chief executive in November to focus on his battle with cancer, died on Monday in his hometown of Sydney, Australia. [snip]

A charismatic leader who said he ate a McDonald's product most days, Bell was diagnosed with colorectal cancer just weeks after being named to the company's top job in April.

yep, kids, that's right: he started at the bottom at age 15 and worked his way to CEO. he also ate mcdonald's most days and was proud of their food and that he ate it on a daily basis.

he lasted six months as CEO, and the entire time he was fighting a losing battle with colorectal cancer.

and now he's dead. at 44.

the piece ends on an interesting note:

McDonald's paid about $300,000 to fly Bell and his family back to Australia in a special medically equipped aircraft, the company said in a regulatory filing in December. McDonald's also agreed to buy Bell's U.S. home, ship the family's belongings to Australia, and cover any tax liability resulting from the arrangement.

wonder why?