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):
December 5, 1999
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
As disclosed in the press release attached as Exhibit 99.1,
at a special meeting of the Board of Directors of
The Coca-Cola Company held December 5, 1999, the Board
accepted the decision of M. Douglas Ivester, the Company's
chairman of the board and chief executive officer, to retire
in April 2000; elected Douglas N. Daft president and chief
operating officer, effective immediately; and indicated that
it intends to elect Mr. Daft chairman of the board and chief
executive officer upon Mr. Ivester's retirement in April.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(c) Exhibits:
99 Press release of The Coca-Cola Company issued
December 6, 1999
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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: December 6, 1999 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 December 6, 1999
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EXHIBIT 99
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
M. DOUGLAS IVESTER ANNOUNCES PLAN TO RETIRE
FROM THE COCA-COLA COMPANY IN APRIL 2000;
BOARD ELECTS DOUGLAS N. DAFT PRESIDENT, COO
AND ANNOUNCES INTENTION TO ELECT DAFT CHAIRMAN, CEO IN APRIL
Atlanta, December 6, 1999 - M. Douglas Ivester, chairman of
the Board and chief executive officer of The Coca-Cola Company,
has informed the Company's Board of Directors of his intention to
retire in April 2000, following the Company's annual meeting of
share owners.
Yesterday, at a special meeting, the Board elected Douglas
N. Daft president and chief operating officer, effective
immediately. The Board also indicated that it intends to elect
Mr. Daft chairman of the Board and chief executive officer
following Mr. Ivester's retirement in April.
"Doug has informed the Board of his desire to retire as
chairman and chief executive officer in April, a decision the
Board has reluctantly accepted," said James B. Williams, a member
of the Board. "Over the last 20 years, The
Coca-Cola Company has been fortunate to have someone of Doug's
wisdom and dedication in its leadership ranks. We are pleased
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that he has agreed to stay on until April to assist the Company
in this change."
"After extensive reflection and thought, I have concluded
that it is time for me to move on to the next stage of my life
and, therefore, to put into place an orderly transition for this
great Company," said Mr. Ivester.
"During the past two years, against the backdrop of an
unprecedented downturn in the global economy, we have put into
place systems necessary to redesign the organization going
forward. The Company has weathered the economic storm extremely
well and I believe the customers and share owners of Coca-Cola
have been well served," Mr. Ivester said.
"One of the great strengths of The Coca-Cola Company is the
depth of its management team," he added. "Doug Daft brings 30
years of experience in the Company's global business to the role
of chief operating officer. He is perfectly suited to lead this
Company in its continuing efforts to build value for all its
share owners."
Mr. Daft, 56, began his career with the Company in 1969 in
his native Australia. For much of his career, he served in
planning, marketing and operations positions in Asia. In 1984,
he was named president of the Central Pacific Division, which
included responsibility for China, Indonesia, and Thailand.
In 1988, he was named president of the North Pacific
Division and president of Coca-Cola (Japan) Company. In 1991, he
moved to the Company's Atlanta headquarters to assume the
responsibility of president of the Pacific Group. He was named
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to his previous position as head of the Middle and Far East and
Africa Groups, as well as the Schweppes Beverages Division, in
October of this year.
# # #
Contact: Randy Donaldson
(404) 676-3853
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