FOOD & BEVERAGE

* Coca-Cola Co. said it will team up with Interpublic Group of Cos. Inc. to develop, refine and focus the “brand essence” for its Coca-Cola brand, which represents about 60% of its overall volume. Terms of the alliance, which the companies expect to initiate in early 2001, were not disclosed. Coca-Cola said it will form a marketing communications advisory council with Interpublic that will establish standards and messages for the brand, and that local Coca-Cola marketing management will make all decisions on their own execution of those brand messages.

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