ATLANTA: Coca-Cola has finally filled its top communications post.
According to an internal company memo dated November 12, Clyde Tuggle,
long known as the right-hand man to chairman and CEO Doug Daft, has been
anointed as VP and director of communications, reporting directly to
Daft.
Tuggle is assuming the mantle vacated by Charlie Holleran in August.
Holleran oversaw the decentralization of Coke's communications program
into independent geographic entities. A result of his work was the
"Communications Council," which includes directors of communications for
the Americas, Western Europe, Central Europe, Eurasia and the Middle
East, Asia-Pacific, and Africa.
Daft's memo stated that the Communications Council now falls under
Tuggle's leadership. Daft's memo also stated, "Clyde will be announcing
shortly the roles and responsibilities of worldwide communications and
the organization structure of corporate communications."
Tuggle, a 13-year Coke veteran, was most recently director of operations
development in Central Europe, and regional manager for Austria. He also
served as executive assistant to the much-revered late chairman and CEO
Roberto Goizueta, as well as to Daft.
Daft's memo clarified, "He also will remain actively involved in the
work of the office of the chairman."
