Marketplace All-in-One Heavy on celebrity, light on social commentary
Feb 3, 2026
Kristen Schwab, an advertising and media reporter, breaks down Super Bowl and Olympics ad strategies. Daniel Ackerman, a consumer and food-and-beverage correspondent, covers PepsiCo’s earnings and snack pricing moves. Stephanie Hughes, a corporate governance reporter, examines CEO succession challenges. They discuss celebrity-driven spots, cautious brand messaging, price cuts on snacks, and the complexities of leadership transitions.
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Succession Planning Is A Continuous Task
- CEO succession is unusually hard because boards rarely practice it and CEOs' identities get entwined with firms.
- Boards should plan for the next leader from day one and avoid anointing heirs too early.
Don’t Anoint Heirs Prematurely
- Avoid naming a successor too early to prevent top talent from leaving for CEO roles elsewhere.
- Include the outgoing CEO as input but let the board drive an objective, future-focused search.
PepsiCo Balances Price Cuts And Health Pitch
- PepsiCo's snack business faces pressure from affordability and health trends despite strong profits.
- The company is cutting some snack prices ~15% and marketing 'healthier' variants to regain sales.
