John G. Smale | Corporate leader, 84

John G. Smale, 84, the former Procter & Gamble Co. chief executive and chairman who expanded the consumer products maker with a major acquisition and a push into China and other emerging markets overseas, died Saturday in Cincinnati.

Mr. Smale led P&G from 1981 to 1990 and was the seventh chief executive of the 174-year-old company. He also was chairman of General Motors Co. from 1992 to 1995 and was a board member of the automaker for more than two decades, beginning in 1982.

Mr. Smale was born in Canada and graduated from Miami University in Ohio in 1949. He joined P&G in 1952, working for what was then called the Toilet Goods division. He rose through the company, becoming president in charge of all U.S. operations in 1974 and chief executive in 1981. He added the chairmanship in 1986.

During his tenure, Mr. Smale moved P&G businesses into new markets in huge developing countries such as China, setting the stage for P&G's rapid growth in Asia in recent years.

P&G also acquired Richardson-Vicks, which broadened the P&G portfolio to include Pantene shampoo, Olay skin cream, and Vicks cough medicines, which are major brands today.

As CEO, Mr. Smale pushed P&G to become more efficient, speeding up development of new products and getting them to market.

He also is credited with boosting the Crest toothpaste brand, increasing its market share against rival Colgate-Palmolive's popular Colgate toothpaste. - AP