BRIEFCASE EX-CBS EXECUTIVE GETS POST AT NBC.

Byline: - Staff and Wire Services

BURBANK - A former CBS executive who shepherded the creation of the ``Survivor'' series franchise is the new head of prime time development for NBC, the network announced Wednesday.

Ghen Maynard, former senior vice president for alternative programming and creative strategies at CBS Entertainment, will be responsible for ``locating and cultivating fresh new series programs'' for NBC's year-round schedule.

He will report to Kevin Reilly. The incoming president of NBC Entertainment called Maynard ``one of the smartest TV execs in town.''

Maynard has had a ``keen eye for finding and nurturing a number of breakout hits,'' Reilly said.

In addition to advocating and shepherding ``Survivor,'' which sparked a wave of unscripted TV shows, Maynard was at the forefront of delivering four seasons of ``Big Brother,'' five seasons of the Emmy-winning ``The Amazing Race,'' two seasons of ``Star Search'' and last season's ``Cupid.''

In 2003, he developed another unscripted series, ``America's Top Model,'' for UPN.

McDonald's CEO has an operation

CHICAGO - New McDonald's Corp. chief executive Charlie Bell underwent successful colorectal cancer surgery Wednesday, less than three weeks after replacing CEO Jim Cantalupo, who died of a heart attack.

Bell, 43, will remain CEO during what the Oak Brook, Ill.-based company said would be a brief recovery.

Spokesman Walt Riker said the company would provide no more information about Bell's condition out of respect for his privacy.

A company release said Bell was confident his management team would stay focused on revitalizing the giant hamburger chain during his recovery.

Bell was named to the company's top job April 19 after Cantalupo's sudden death in Florida at a company conference.

Upheaval at Coke just beginning?

ATLANTA - The uncertainty about who will be Coca-Cola's next CEO is over, but the upheaval at the beverage giant may be just beginning. Some observers wonder whether the snubbing of the company's No. 2 executive for the top job could mean more leadership changes to come.

Officials offered no hint Wednesday about the future of chief operating officer Steve Heyer or other key managers as its new leader, E. Neville Isdell, held court with employees at the Atlanta company's headquarters.

Analysts, former employees and Coke observers say more changes could come under Isdell's watch as he seeks to restore confidence in a company that continues to post strong earnings but has had public image problems amid federal investigations and key executive departures.