• by Nina Lentini  @Nina_Lentini, December 8, 2006

Will Coca-Cola's appointment of international chief Muhtar Kent as president/COO spell the end for Mary Minnick? The head of marketing and innovation at the world's largest beverage company could see it as a sign that she's not on the track to succeed CEO Neville Isdell.

"Her efforts to drive innovation are very much a work in progress," said Gerry Khermouch, editor of trade pub Beverage Business Insights. "Not many demonstrated successes so far, but certainly a lot of activity to try to make it happen." Minnick could "walk into a comparable position at any number of other companies outside the beverage business that would love to have her," he added.

Analysts yesterday interpreted Kent's elevation as a plan for succession at Coke.

Kent previously oversaw international operations that account for $15 billion in sales and 80 percent of Coca-Cola's profits. The struggling company is in a battle with PepsiCo to boost growth through non-carbonated beverages as soda sales continue to decline. Sales at Coca-Cola have increased an average of 3 percent over the past five years, while PepsiCo's sales have gained an average of 5 percent.

In a statement, Isdell said Kent's "ability to realize growth across the entire non-alcoholic beverage sector in our key international markets has been central to our success."

Coca-Cola has been without a president since Steve Heyer left in 2004 to become CEO of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.