Squawk Pod Coke CEO James Quincey’s Exit Interview & Sen. John Fetterman 3/26/26
Mar 26, 2026
Alex Sherman, CNBC reporter covering MLB and media who files from Citi Field. Senator John Fetterman, U.S. senator from Pennsylvania who explains his DHS votes and national security stance. James Quincey, outgoing Coca-Cola CEO who reflects on transforming the company into a total beverage firm. They discuss MLB opening day and labor pressures, Quincey’s succession and digital/AI shift, and the DHS funding standoff on Capitol Hill.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Coca-Cola's Total Beverage Transformation
- James Quincey reframed Coca-Cola as a "total beverage company" shifting focus from a single product to a broad portfolio.
- He argued consumer choice drove the change, adding milk, coffee, Topo Chico and other categories to meet demand.
AI Is The Next Multi-Year Coca-Cola Priority
- Quincey says the next wave for Coca-Cola is a multi-year digital and AI transformation of the enterprise.
- He stressed they're "not a tech company" but must use technology to extend competitive advantage across supply chains and marketing.
Pick A Successor With Experience And New Energy
- Do choose a successor with both deep institutional knowledge and fresh energy to lead new priorities.
- Quincey picked Enrique Braun for 30 years' experience plus energy to drive AI, consumer shifts and geopolitics.