Coke scraps global marketing team

Coca-Cola is axing its global marketing team just days after chief global marketer Mary Minnick announced that she was leaving the company to pursue other goals.

The soft drinks giant is now planning to divide reporting lines with innovation and strategy reporting to chairman and chief executive Neville Isdell and marketing reporting to president and chief operating officer Muhtar Kent.

The company has appointed Marc Mathieu from senior vice-president for core brands to senior vice-president of brand marketing. He will take over responsibility for non-carbonated drinks such as Dasani and Powerade. Mark Greaterex, senior vice-president marketing communications, will now report directly into Kent.

Meanwhile, Danny Strickland, senior vice-president chief innovation and technical officer, and John Murphy, vice-president of strategic growth, will both report into Isdell. The changes to the reporting structure and new promotions will start from March 1.

It is understood that Kent is reviewing the structure of the company’s marketing and its agency arrangements.