8-K

                       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 11, 2002



                              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






Item 5.  Other Items

              Attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 is a press release issued by
         The Coca-Cola Company, a Delaware corporation, on December 11, 2002.


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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 11, 2002       By: /s/ Connie D. McDaniel
                                   ----------------------
                                   Connie D. McDaniel
                                   Vice President and
                                   Controller


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                                  Exhibit Index



 Exhibit No.
 -----------

   99.1      Press Release issued by The Coca-Cola Company on December 11, 2002

EX-99.1

The Coca-Cola Company                      Media Relations Department
                                           P.O. Box 1734, Atlanta, Georgia 30301
                                           Telephone (404) 676-2121



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                               Contact:  Sonya Soutus
                                                              (404) 676-2683



                      STEVEN J. HEYER ELECTED PRESIDENT AND

                 CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, THE COCA-COLA COMPANY


         ATLANTA, Dec. 11, 2002  -  The Board of Directors of The Coca-Cola

Company today elected Steven J. Heyer  president and chief operating officer,

said Doug Daft, chairman and chief executive officer.  Mr. Heyer was president

and chief operating officer, Coca-Cola Ventures and Coca-Cola Latin America.

         Mr. Daft said, "I have asked Steve Heyer to serve as president and

chief operating officer of The Coca-Cola Company and the Board has endorsed my

recommendation. Over the past 18 months, Steve has brought a fresh and

objective perspective that has been enormously helpful to all of us while,

at the same time, embracing and learning from the rich historic culture of

Coca-Cola. This combination uniquely qualifies him for this key position.

         "With Steve closely collaborating with his colleagues on the senior

management team, I expect highly effective leadership that will accelerate the

progress we are making toward strengthening our long-term position in the

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marketplace. Indeed, I am especially pleased that we are able to take this step

at this time, so that our team will be firmly in place as we undertake fresh

initiatives in 2003 that build further upon earlier accomplishments," concluded

Mr. Daft.

         Mr. Heyer said, "I am honored that Doug and the Board have asked me to

serve as president and chief operating officer.  Doug has created the vision and

strategy to take this Company forward, and I am delighted that I will have the

opportunity to work even closer with him as we execute on his priorities and

take The Coca-Cola Company to greater heights.

         "I first came to The Coca-Cola Company because of the unparalleled

quality of the franchise, and the values and history that have made Coca-Cola

the special company it is today.  Coca-Cola is the world's most popular brand

because it has a unique and special culture of doing the right thing.  Key to

our long-term success is our ability to build strong relationships, and grow

together with our communities, consumers and partners.  Working with Doug Daft

and the rest of the senior leadership team, I intend to do everything I can to

nurture and strengthen the brand."

         In his new role, Mr. Heyer will work closely with Mr. Daft and the

other members of senior management to execute the company's strategy, coordinate

and control its allocation of resources, ensure the tight alignment of the

company and its bottling partners, and assure excellence in all aspects of the

company's marketing.


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visiting our Press Center image gallery at www.coca-cola.com