Cracking Open Coke & Spilling Media’s Meanest Secrets 02/14/23

The New York Times columnist Jim Stewart is out with a new book chronicling the manipulations and secret machinations of Sumner Redstone’s final years and the battle for his media empire. “Unscripted,” co-authored by Rachel Abrams, follows the drama that built the Paramount-CBS-Viacom business–and it’s a real life “Succession” story. Coca Cola reported a beat on earnings this quarter, and CEO James Quincey discusses his company’s strategy for marketing, inflation, and premixed cocktails. CPI data reveals inflation for January rose 6.4% from a year ago, signaling a continuing–albeit slow–moderation in inflation’s climb. Plus, the White House is shuffling its economic team, Tesla workers are launching a unionization plan in New York, and NBC is reportedly hoping to win back the NBA. Happy Valentine’s Day!

In this episode:

James Stewart, @JamesStewartNYT

Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick

Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk

Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie