Cott Corporation - Message To CFOs: "Accountability Comes First In Balancing Roles As Corporation's Compass".

Business Editors

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 11, 2002

To be successful, today's chief financial officer has to keep three forces in balance, according to Frank E. Weise, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Cott Corporation (NASDAQ: COTT; TSE: BCB).

Citing those forces in the CFO's world as accountability, leadership and strategy, Weise said that each has had a turn as prime mover in recent decades. "In the 1990s, accountability fell as a casualty while leadership and strategy claimed everyone's attention. Now, it is clear that all three must be kept in equilibrium. Accountability can never come second."

As the keynote speaker at the Ninth Annual "CFO Rising" Conference, Weise outlined his views from a perspective of his own rise from financial management to become a CEO. He previously served as CFO of Campbell Soup Company. He also held a number of financial executive positions at Procter & Gamble as his career moved him toward general management and his role as CEO. In 1994 he was featured in a CFO Magazine cover story as a top multinational CFO.

Weise described the vital role of the CFO in setting a corporation's compass for integrity, accuracy, internal controls and enforcement. He pointed out that external auditors also share many of the responsibilities. "But make no mistake," he made clear, "accountability starts inside a company right at the top."

To the 250 attendees at this year's conference, Weise reviewed Cott's four-year record of turnaround and business growth. He took time to outline examples of his own company's commitment to accountability. "We have no off balance sheet financing arrangements," he said, "and there will be none at Cott Corporation without clear disclosure and approval of our board."

About Cott Corporation

Cott Corporation is the world's largest retailer brand soft drink supplier, with the leading take home carbonated soft drink market shares in this segment in its core markets of the U.S., Canada and the U.K.

Safe Harbor Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements reflecting management's current expectations regarding future results of operations, economic performance, financial condition and achievements of the Company. Forward-looking statements, specifically those concerning future performance, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. These risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the appropriate securities commissions, and include, without limitation, stability of procurement costs for raw and packaging materials, adverse weather conditions, competitive activities by national, regional and retailer brand beverage manufacturers, the Company's ability to integrate acquired business into its operations, fluctuations in currency versus the U.S. dollar, the uncertainties of litigation, and retailers' continued commitment to their retailer brand beverage programs. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.