7 December 2006, Atlanta, USA: Board of Directors of The Coca-Cola Company has elected Muhtar Kent as president and chief operating officer effective immediately.

Muhtar Kent has been appointed President of Coca-Cola International in February 2006, responsible of the operations of The Coca-Cola Company in more than 200 countries except North America.

With this new role, Mr. Kent will have direct responsibility for the implementation of the growth strategies of The Coca-Cola Company and lead all of its operations throughout the world. Mr. Kent will also directly lead departments managing the relationship with bottling partners in more than 200 countries, as well as key customers and supply chain.

Returning The Coca-Cola Company, where he started his career 28 years ago, Muhtar Kent led the Company's impressive growth performance in key markets as the President of North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East Group in 2005 and was appointed as President of Coca-Cola International in February this year.

Underlining that 95 % the Company's 2006 growth has come from markets led by Mr. Kent and his team, Neville Isdell, CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, said: "Muhtar Kent has been a very experienced and successful known for his speed, alignment with bottling partners, and discipline. That's why the Board and I have asked him to take this leadership role and I look forward to working, and winning, with him as we take The Coca-Cola Company to a future of sustained growth.

A Turkish citizen, Muhtar Kent holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Hull University, England and a Master of Science degree in Administrative Sciences from London City University.

Having joined the Company in Atlanta in 1978, Muhtar held a variety of marketing and operations roles throughout his career. In 1985, he was appointed general manager of Coca-Cola Turkey and Central Asia. From 1989 to 1995, he was president of East Central Europe Division and senior vice president of Coca-Cola International, with responsibility for 23 countries.

Between 1995 and 1998, Muhtar was managing director of Coca-Cola Amatil-Europe, covering bottling operations in 12 countries.

From 1999 until he rejoined our Company he was president and CEO of the Efes Beverage Group, one of Europe's largest international beverage enterprises and the managing partner of Turkish bottler Coca-Cola Icecek. During that time, in addition to taking Efes Breweries International public on the London Stock Exchange, Muhtar also led the company  increase market capitalization increased 2,5 times.

-Ends-

© Press Release 2006