The Sponsor Seat

Andrew Kirkland
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  • Business

Conversations with the leaders behind the brands that power college and professional sports. thesponsorseat.substack.com

Episodes

  1. May 20

    Inside Swire Coca-Cola: Leadership, Culture, and Partnerships with Former CEO Jack Pelo

    In this episode of The Sponsor Seat, I sit down with Jack Pelo for a conversation on leadership, culture, and the role partnerships play in building a global brand. Jack shares his journey from working in a small Coca-Cola operation in Walla Walla to leading one of the largest bottlers in the world. Along the way, he reflects on the experiences that shaped his leadership style, including stepping into leadership during a defining and difficult moment for the company. We also explore how Coca-Cola approaches partnerships and sponsorships at the local level—why being connected to communities and sports matters, and what separates relationships that last from those that don’t. This is a conversation about trust, people, and what it really takes to lead at scale. The Sponsor Seat — where sports and business meet. Show Notes Key Topics Covered * Jack Pelo’s path into the Coca-Cola system * Early experiences in warehouse and operations * Leadership lessons from working across all levels * Stepping into leadership during a company crisis * Building trust and credibility as a leader * How Coca-Cola approaches partnerships and sponsorships * The role of community and sports in brand strategy * What makes a partnership a strong fit * Advice for young leaders Key Takeaways * Leadership starts with understanding every role * Trust and communication matter most in uncertainty * Strong cultures are built over time * The best partnerships go beyond transactions * Community connection drives long-term success Notable Quote “The best partnerships aren’t transactional—they’re built on trust over time.” About the Guest Jack Pelo is the former CEO of Swire Coca-Cola, one of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers in the world. Over a 35-year career, he led large-scale operations, built high-performing teams, and helped shape how the company engages with communities and partners. About the Show The Sponsor Seat explores the intersection of sports and business—focusing on sponsorships, partnerships, and the relationships that power sports. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesponsorseat.substack.com

    Inside Swire Coca-Cola: Leadership, Culture, and Partnerships with Former CEO Jack Pelo

  2. Jan 7

    Trailer - The Sponsor Seat

    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesponsorseat.substack.com

    Trailer - The Sponsor Seat
  • 2 Episodes

About

Conversations with the leaders behind the brands that power college and professional sports. thesponsorseat.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Andrew Kirkland
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    2
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Andrew Kirkland
  • Show Website
    The Sponsor Seat