Kilts drops out of Coke executive race

NEW YORK, April 22 (UPI) -- James Kilts, chairman and chief executive at Gillette, has withdrawn his name from consideration for the top post at Coca-Cola, according to reports.

Kilts' strong track record in reviving sagging consumer brands had made him a popular choice to become chairman and chief executive at Coke, which had attracted growing Wall Street anxiety over its leadership and direction. There was a report a new effort would be made to change Kilts' mind.

Earlier this week, Carlos Gutierrez, chairman and chief executive of Kellogg Co., told Coke directors he wasn't interested in the job. Robert Eckert, chairman and chief executive of Mattel Inc., said Tuesday he planned to remain at the toymaker, but Coke reportedly continues to pursue him.

Kilts was said to have pulled himself out of the running mainly because he didn't want to relocate from Rye, N.Y., because of his ailing mother-in-law and an unwillingness to be a long-distance commuter to Atlanta, site of Coke headquarters.