New CEO Isdell Already in Crisis Mode at Coca-Cola

Updated from 11:07 a.m. EDT

Three months on the job and Coca-Cola(KO Quote) CEO Neville Isdell is already in crisis mode.

The Atlanta-based soft-drink giant took the unusual step Wednesday of guiding down earnings estimates for the second half of 2004 Wednesday, blaming weak demand in key markets including the U.S. and Germany.

The profit warning, which was issued as an "exception" to Coke's policy of not commenting on earnings, marks an inauspicious beginning for Isdell, who took over from Douglas Daft in June. Isdell's ascension created division among the company's upper management, some of which reportedly backed the candidacy of Steven Heyer, the 51-year-old former Turner marketing executive who has since left the company. ...