By Mike Esterl
Coca-Cola Co. tapped company veteran Julie Hamilton to oversee
global commercial strategy, the latest management move by the
beverage giant aimed at jump-starting sluggish sales.
Atlanta-based Coke said on Tuesday that Ms. Hamilton, currently
executive assistant to Chairman and Chief Executive Muhtar Kent,
will become chief customer and commercial leadership officer
effective April 1.
Those responsibilities currently are split between Coca-Cola
North America president Sandy Douglas, who is also chief customer
officer, and Chief Marketing Officer Joe Tripodi, who is also chief
commercial officer.
The move is triggered in part by the planned departure of Mr.
Tripodi. Coke said in October that Mr. Tripodi would leave the
company in February and be replaced as marketing chief by Marcos De
Quinto, who currently heads Coke's Spanish business unit.
Mr. Douglas has had his hands full with the North American
business, where Coke is refranchising its company-owned
distribution network. He is also responsible for trying to reverse
a decadelong decline in U.S. soda consumption.
Coke warned in October that its revenue would fall short of its
volume and revenue growth targets for a second straight year,
dragged down by slowing soda sales in many parts of the world. It
also announced a $3 billion cost-cutting plan, which is expected to
include layoffs.
Ms. Hamilton, 49 years old, joined Coke in 1996 and has been Mr.
Kent's executive assistant since 2011. Before that, she headed
Coke's global commercial relationship with Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
She is the latest female executive to be promoted to a senior
position at Coke. Kathy Waller became chief financial officer in
May, replacing Gary Fayard.
Coke said Susan Gambardella, 51, will replace Ms. Hamilton as
Mr. Kent's executive assistant. Ms. Gambardella currently heads
Coke's global commercial relationship with fast-food chain operator
Wendy's Co.
The position of executive assistant to the chairman and CEO
traditionally has served as a training ground for promotions at
Coke.
Write to Mike Esterl at mike.esterl@wsj.com
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