When A New Chief Digital Officer Arrives, What Does That Mean For The CIO?
InformationWeek, Friday, January 23rd, 2026
Coca-Cola's creation of a new CDO position revives a longstanding question for CIOs: Where does their authority over digital strategy begin -- and end?
When The Coca-Cola Co. announced earlier this month that it was creating a new chief digital officer role as part of a broader leadership reshuffle, the move drew attention -- not because the CDO title is new, but because of the when and why of it.
The pursuit of digital transformation is nothing new, but the mandate carries heavier weight in 2026. As companies face mounting pressure to translate AI investments into operational impact, the decision by some boards to elevate a CDO role signals that digital execution still requires sharper focus at the top.