SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
October 23, 1997
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 001-02217 58-0628465
(State or other (Commission (IRS Employer
jurisdiction File Number) Identification No.)
of incorporation)
One Coca-Cola Plaza
Atlanta, Georgia 30313
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (404) 676-2121
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Item 5. Other Events
On October 23, 1997, The Coca-Cola Company (the "Company")
announced that at a special meeting held on that date by its
Board of Directors, the Board had elected M. Douglas Ivester
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company. The Company also announced that Mr. Ivester will
relinquish the office of President in assuming his new
responsibilities, and that the office of President will not
be filled at this time.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(c) Exhibits:
99 Press release of The Coca-Cola Company issued
October 23, 1997
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
(REGISTRANT)
Date: October 24, 1997 By:/s/ JOSEPH R. GLADDEN, JR.
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Joseph R. Gladden, Jr.
Senior Vice President and
General Counsel
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Exhibit Index
Exhibit No.
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99 Press release issued October 23, 1997
EXHIBIT 99
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
NEWS RELEASE
Media Relations Department
P.O. Drawer 1734, Atlanta, Ga. 30301
Telephone (404) 676-2121
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Randy Donaldson
(404) 676-3853
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
ELECTS M. DOUGLAS IVESTER
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
ATLANTA, October 23, 1997 - The Board of Directors of The
Coca-Cola Company, at a special meeting here today, elected
M. Douglas Ivester chairman of the Board and chief executive
officer, the 10th chairman of the Board in the Company's history.
Mr. Ivester, since 1994 president and chief operating
officer of the Company, succeeds Roberto C. Goizueta.
"For nearly two decades, Doug Ivester has been a powerful
force in The Coca-Cola Company," said James B. Williams, chairman
of SunTrust Banks Inc. and chairman of the Finance Committee of
the Company's Board of Directors. "Throughout his career, he has
shown the wisdom, the determination and the passion it takes to
lead this very special Company."
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"The Board knew from Roberto several years ago that Doug
Ivester was his choice to succeed him in this job," said Herbert
A. Allen, president and chief executive officer of Allen &
Company Incorporated and another Company director. "Roberto
would be very happy knowing that Doug has taken on the job he had
been so carefully prepared to take."
"We all owe, and I especially owe, a huge debt of gratitude
to the man who steered this company to phenomenal success over
the past 16 years," said Mr. Ivester. "The Coca-Cola Company is
the strongest it has ever been because of Roberto's leadership
and absolute dedication to the business.
"It is our obligation as a Company, and mine in this new
role, to continue to build on the legacy of success that Roberto
has left for us. That is exactly what we intend to do."
Mr. Ivester joined The Coca-Cola Company in 1979 as
assistant controller. In the 18 years since, he has served as
chief financial officer, president of the Company's European and
North American businesses and, since 1994, as president of the
Company.
"Stewardship of this Company is both a responsibility and a
challenge because Coca-Cola is more than a brand and a Company -
it is an unmatchable idea," said Mr. Ivester. "It is an idea
based on the belief that Coca-Cola should benefit everything and
everyone it touches throughout the world."
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"The power of that idea combined with our other great
strengths - our talented people, our brands, our bottling
partners - will continue to create enormous opportunity for us
all over the world. I look forward to working with all my
colleagues in capturing those opportunities."
"Doug Ivester brings a perfect combination of talents to the
role of chief executive officer at this point in The Coca-Cola
Company's history," said Mr. Williams. "Doug is equally adept at
charting the broad strategic direction of the Company while
remaining intently focused on the details - abilities that will
serve the Company and its share owners well for many years to
come."
The Company also announced that Mr. Ivester will relinquish
the office of president in assuming his new responsibilities.
The office of president will not be filled at this time.
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