Oct. 17 (Bloomberg) -- Coca-Cola Co., the world's largest soft-drink maker, said third-quarter profit rose more than analysts anticipated on gains in Asia and Latin America.

Net income increased 13 percent to $1.65 billion, or 71 cents a share, from $1.46 billion, or 62 cents, a year earlier. Sales jumped 19 percent to $7.69 billion, the Atlanta-based company said today in a statement. Earnings beat the average estimate of analysts by 3 cents a share.

Shipments rose 6 percent, exceeding the company's long-term target, as cola sales gained in Japan, China and Brazil. Chief Executive Officer Neville Isdell promoted Vitaminwater and Dasani to win customers from PepsiCo Inc. in the U.S. as the company sold less soda.

The soda maker is ``focusing on markets where the real growth is,'' said Jason Pride, director of research at Haverford Investments. The Radnor, Pennsylvania-based firm manages $6 billion including Coca-Cola shares.

Coca-Cola rose 29 cents to $58.05 at 8:22 a.m. before the start of New York Stock Exchange composite trading. The shares climbed 20 percent this year through yesterday, outpacing a 15 percent gain by PepsiCo.

Twelve analysts surveyed by Bloomberg estimated an average profit of 68 cents a share, excluding 3 cents of costs and 3 cents of gains from the sale of a stake in a bottler. Eight analysts projected revenue of $7.29 billion.

Coca-Cola promoted Sprite, Fanta soda and bottled tea in Japan to boost volume sales by 4 percent, the third straight quarterly gain. The company also introduced no-calorie Coca-Cola Zero soda in Japan this year.

Georgia Campaign

Japan shipments fell last year after a Georgia coffee advertising campaign aimed at young consumers alienated its core middle-aged drinkers.

The company promoted Coca-Cola Zero and tea under its Matte Leao brand in Brazil and sold more regular Coca-Cola in Mexico, lifting shipments in Latin America.

In North America, Coca-Cola's largest unit, the company sold more Dasani bottled water and Powerade sports drinks, overcoming a decline in soda to post a 1 percent gain in sales measured by volume. It was the first time in five quarters that North America volume rose.

Coca-Cola depends on soda for 80 percent of revenue, compared with less than 20 percent for PepsiCo.

To reduce its reliance on soda, Coca-Cola in June paid $4.1 billion to buy Energy Brand Inc.'s Glaceau, whose Vitaminwater drinks contain vitamins and antioxidants. Glaceau's pitchmen include rapper 50 Cent and basketball player Shaquille O'Neal of the Miami Heat.

Coca-Cola's long-term target is to increase shipments worldwide by 3 percent to 4 percent a year, and to boost earnings by a ``high single digit.'' The company doesn't give specific quarterly forecasts.

To contact the reporter on this story: Mary Jane Credeur in Atlanta at mcredeur@bloomberg.net .