The Coca-Cola Company shuffles operating structure

25/03/05 The Coca-Cola Company has announced changes to its senior management team and operating structure. Neville Isdell, chairman and chief executive officer, said: "We are creating a new corporate function to integrate Marketing, Innovation and Strategic Growth Paths reporting to Mary Minnick. Additionally, we are realigning our Group structure in Europe and adjusting our structure for Asia and Eurasia and the Middle East. To lead new Groups, we are bringing on board system veterans and proven operators Dominique Reiniche and Muhtar Kent. They will bring fresh perspectives to our senior management team as we together work to implement our Manifesto for Growth."

The Company said that Mary Minnick will lead a new corporate function to oversee the close coordination of the marketing, innovation and strategic growth paths functions. Reporting to Ms. Minnick will be Chuck Fruit, chief marketing officer, Danny Strickland, chief innovation/research and development officer, and a head of strategic growth paths yet to-be-named.

The Company also announced that Sandy Allan will retire from The Coca-Cola Company after a distinguished career spanning almost four decades.

Upon Mr. Allan's retirement, the Company will realign its geographic Group structure in Europe. Mr. Allan will be working closely with the team on these efforts after May 1 to assure a smooth transition.

To better serve the growing European Union market, the Company is creating a European Union Group, which will include our operations in all of the current member states of the EU as well as the European Free Trade Association countries. It will be led by Dominique Reiniche, who was most recently president of Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) Europe. Ms. Reiniche will continue in her current role at CCE and transition responsibilities by May 1.

The Company also announced the creation of two new operating Groups: a North Asia, Eurasia & Middle East Group, and a Southeast Asia & Pacific Rim Group.