Fortune rank: 17
2008 profit: $5.81 Billion
Coke Zero and the "Open Happiness" campaign helped Coca-Cola weather a tough U.S. market in 2008. Overall profits dipped only 3% as Coke kept growing abroad: Sales rose 19% in China and 7% in Brazil. The beverage maker also streamlined businesses to save money during the year, cutting its creative agencies from 81 to 35.
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Last updated April 20 2009: 11:09 AM ET