Mark relentlessly focused on categories with stronger margins
and growth rates and relatively little private-label competition, as well as by getting into developing markets ahead of competitors.
Though Mark had laid plans for Cook to succeed him last year, the lengthy delay in setting a precise date led to speculation among some close to the company about whether it would happen. Like Mark, Cook is a Colgate lifer with broad experience in virtually all parts of the company, but he lacks his predecessor's stage presence, which fueled some of the speculation.
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