Content deleted Content added
→Early years: Restore WWII section |
|||
Line 1:
{{Infobox Beverage
|name=Coca-Cola
|image=[[Image:Big_coca-cola.PNG|250px|The official Coca-Cola logo]]
|type=[[Cola]]
|manufacturer=[[The Coca-Cola Company]]
|origin={{USA}}
|introduced=[[1886]]
|discontinued=
|color = Caramel
|related= [[Pepsi-Cola]]
|variants=
}}
'''Coca-Cola''' (also known as '''Coke''', a name that was trademarked by [[The Coca-Cola Company]] after it was discovered many people called it by that particular name) is a very popular [[cola]] (a [[carbonation|carbonated]] [[soft drink]]) sold in stores, restaurants and [[vending machine]]s in more than 200 countries. It is produced by the [[Coca-Cola Company]] ([[NYSE]]:KO), which is also often referred to as simply '''Coca-Cola''' or '''Coke'''. Coke is one of the world's most recognizable and widely sold commercial [[brand]]s; its major rival is [[Pepsi]].
Originally intended as a [[patent medicine]] when it was invented in the late [[19th century]], Coca-Cola was bought out by businessman [[Asa Griggs Candler]], whose marketing tactics led Coke to its dominance of the world soft drink market throughout the [[20th century]]. Although faced with critiques of its health effects and various allegations of wrongdoing by the company, Coca-Cola has remained a popular soft drink to the present day.
The company actually produces concentrate for Coca-Cola, which is then sold to various Coca-Cola bottlers throughout the world. The bottlers, who hold territorially-exclusive contracts with the company, produce finished product in cans and bottles from the concentrate in combination with filtered water and sweeteners. The bottlers then sell, distribute and merchandise Coca-Cola in cans and bottles to retail stores and vending machines. Such bottlers include [[Coca-Cola Enterprises]], which is the single largest Coca-Cola bottler in North America and Europe. The Coca-Cola Company also sells concentrate for fountain sales to major restaurants and food service distributors.
[[The Coca-Cola Company]] has on occasion introduced other cola drinks under the Coke brand name. The most famous of these is [[Diet Coke]], which has become a major [[diet cola]] but others exist, such as [[Cherry Coke]], [[Coke Zero]], and [[Vanilla Coke]]. The Coca-Cola Company owns and markets other soft drinks that do not carry the Coca-Cola branding, such as [[Sprite (soft drink)|Sprite]], [[Fanta]], and others.
==
{{see also|The Coca-Cola Company#History}}
===Early years===
[[Image:World-of-coca-cola.jpg|thumb|left|The Las Vegas ''[[World of Coca-Cola]]'' museum in 2000]]
Coca-Cola was invented in [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], by [[John Pemberton|John S. Pemberton]], originally as a [[cocawine]] called [[Pemberton's French Wine Coca]] in [[1885]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.greenparty.org/coke.html |title=A Green Party USA Perspective on the Coca-Cola Boycott |accessdate=2007-01-07 |format= |work= }}</ref> He was inspired by the formidable success of [[Europe|European]] [[Angelo Mariani]]'s [[cocawine]], [[Vin Mariani]].
In [[1885]], when [[Atlanta]] and [[Fulton County, Georgia|Fulton County]] passed [[Prohibition]] legislation, Pemberton responded by developing Coca-Cola, essentially a carbonated, non-alcoholic version of French Wine Cola.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jack |last=Hayes |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Coca-Cola Television Advertisements: Dr. John S. Pemberton |url=http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ccmphtml/colainvnt.html |work= |publisher=Nation's Restaurant News |date= |accessdate=2007-01-21 }}</ref> The beverage was named Coca-Cola because originally, the [[stimulant]] mixed in the beverage was [[coca]] [[leaves]] from [[South America]]. In addition, the drink was [[flavor]]ed using [[kola nut|kola (Cola) nuts]], the beverage's source of [[caffeine]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://inventors.about.com/od/cstartinventions/a/coca_cola.htm |title=The History of Coca Cola |accessdate=2007-01-23 |format= |work= }}</ref> Pemberton called for 5 ounces of coca leaf per gallon of syrup, a significant dose, whereas in [[1891]] Candler claimed his formula (altered extensively from Pemberton's original) contained only a tenth of this amount. Coca-Cola did once contain an estimated 9 milligrams of [[cocaine]] per glass but after [[1903]] Coca-Cola started using, instead of fresh leaves, "spent" leaves - the leftovers of the cocaine-extraction process with [[cocaine]] trace levels left over at a molecular level.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_033.html|title=Is it true Coca-Cola once contained cocaine? |format= |work= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lewrockwell.com/jarvis/jarvis17.html |title=The Rise and Fall of Cocaine Cola |format= |work= }}</ref> However, as cocaine is one of numerous [[alkaloids]] present in the coca leaf, it was nevertheless present in the drink. Today, the flavoring is still done with kola nuts and the "spent" coca leaf. In the United States, there is only one plant in [[New Jersey]] authorized by the Federal Government to grow the coca plant for Coca-Cola syrup manufacture.
Coca-Cola was initially sold as a patent medicine for five [[Cent (currency)|cents]] a glass at [[soda fountain]]s, which were popular in the [[United States]] at the time thanks to a belief that [[carbonated water]] was good for the health. Pemberton claimed Coca-Cola cured myriad diseases, including [[morphine]] addiction, [[dyspepsia]], [[neurasthenia]], [[headache]], and [[impotence]]. The first sales were made at Jacob's Pharmacy in [[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], on [[May 8]], [[1886]], and for the first eight months only nine drinks were sold each day. Pemberton ran the first advertisement for the beverage on [[May 29]] of the same year in the ''[[Atlanta Journal]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://xroads.virginia.edu/~class/coke/coke1.html |title=Coca-Cola at Home |accessdate=2007-01-21 |format= |work= }}</ref>
By [[1888]], three versions of Coca-Cola — sold by three separate businesses — were on the market. [[Asa Griggs Candler]] acquired a stake in Pemberton's company in [[1887]] and incorporated it as the [[Coca Cola Corporation|Coca Cola Company]] in [[1888]].<ref name=Pendergrast2000>Mark Pendergrast (2000). ''For God, Country and Coca-Cola''. Basic Books. ISBN 0-465-05468-4.</ref> The same year, while suffering from an ongoing addiction to [[morphine]], Pemberton sold the rights a second time to four more businessmen: [[J.C. Mayfield]], [[A.O. Murphey]], [[C.O. Mullahy]] and [[E.H. Bloodworth]]. Meanwhile, Pemberton's alcoholic son [[Charley Pemberton]] began selling his own version of the product.<ref name=Pendergrast>{{cite book | author=Mark Pendergrast | title=For God, Country and Coca-Cola | publisher=Basic Books | year=2000 | pages=41 – 45 | id=ISBN 0-465-05468-4 }}</ref>
In an attempt to clarify the situation, John Pemberton declared that the ''name'' Coca-Cola belonged to Charley, but the other two manufacturers could continue to use the ''formula''. So, in the summer of [[1888]], Candler sold his beverage under the names [[Yum Yum]] and Koke. After both failed to catch on, Candler set out to establish a legal claim to Coca-Cola in late [[1888]], in order to force his two competitors out of the business. Candler purchased exclusive rights to the formula from John Pemberton, [[Margaret Dozier]] and [[Woolfolk Walker]]. However, in 1914, Dozier came forward to claim her signature on the bill of sale had been forged, and subsequent analysis has indicated John Pemberton's signature was most likely a forgery as well.<ref name=Pendergrast1>{{cite book | author=Mark Pendergrast | title=For God, Country and Coca-Cola | publisher=Basic Books | year=2000 | pages=45 – 47 | id=ISBN 0-465-05468-4 }}</ref>
In [[1892]], Candler incorporated a second company, [[The Coca-Cola Company|''The'' Coca-Cola Company]] (the current corporation), and in [[1910]] Candler had the earliest records of the company burned, further obscuring its legal origins. Regardless, Candler began marketing the product — the efficiency of this concerted advertising campaign would not be realized until much later. By the time of its 50th anniversary, the drink had reached the status of a national icon for the USA.
Coca-Cola was sold in [[bottle]]s for the first time on [[March 12]], [[1894]], and [[aluminum can|cans]] of Coke first appeared in [[1955]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://home.comcast.net/~collectiblesodacans/Cokepg1.htm |title=COKE CAN HISTORY |accessdate=2007-01-21 |format= |work= }}</ref> The first bottling of Coca-Cola occurred in [[Vicksburg, Mississippi|Vicksburg]], [[Mississippi]], at the Biedenharn Candy Company in 1891. Its proprietor was Joseph A. Biedenharn. The original bottles were [[Biedenharn bottles]], very different from the much later hobble-skirt design that is now so familiar. Asa Candler was tentative about bottling the drink, but the two entrepreneurs who proposed the idea were so persuasive that Candler signed a contract giving them control of the procedure. However, the loosely termed contract proved to be problematic for the company for decades to come. Legal matters were not helped by the decision of the bottlers to subcontract to other companies — in effect, becoming parent bottlers.
===World War II===
Before and during [[World War II]], Coca-Cola adopted an apparent policy of ignoring the practice of [[eugenics]] and [[anti-Semitism]] by [[Nazi Germany]]. Several of Coke's top executives in Germany were prominent members of the [[National Socialist German Workers Party]]. When the United States entered World War II, Coke began to represent itself as a patriotic drink by providing free drinks for soldiers of the [[United States Army]].<ref name=Pendergrast2000>Mark Pendergrast (2000). ''For God, Country and Coca-Cola''. Basic Books. ISBN 0-465-05468-4.</ref>
The United States Army permitted Coca-Cola employees to enter the front lines as "Technical Officers" when in reality they rarely if ever came close to a real battle. Instead, they operated Coke's system of providing refreshments for soldiers, who welcomed the beverage as a reminder of home. As the [[Allies of World War II]] advanced, so did Coke, which took advantage of the situation by establishing new franchises in the newly occupied countries.<ref name=Pendergrast2000 />
Coca-Cola set up bottling plants in several locations overseas to assure the drink's availability to soldiers, setting the stage for the company's post-war overseas expansion. The popularity of the drink exploded as American soldiers returned home from the war with a taste for the drink.<ref name=Pendergrast2000 />
===New Coke===
{{see also|New Coke}}
[[Image:Newcoke.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[New Coke]] stirred up a controversy when it replaced the original Coca-Cola in [[1985]]. Coca-Cola Classic was reinstated within a few months of New Coke's introduction into the market.]]
In 1985, Coca-Cola, amid much publicity, attempted to change the [[Coca-Cola formula|formula]] of the drink. Some authorities believe that [[New Coke]], as the reformulated drink was called, was invented specifically to respond to its commercial competitor, Pepsi.<ref name=Pendergrast2000 /> [[Double-blind]] taste tests indicated that most consumers preferred the taste of Pepsi (which had more [[lemon]] oil, less [[orange (fruit)|orange]] oil, and used [[vanillin]] rather than [[vanilla]]) to Coke. In taste tests, drinkers were more likely to respond positively to sweeter drinks, and Pepsi had the advantage over Coke because it was much sweeter. Coca-Cola tinkered with the formula and created "New Coke". Follow-up taste tests revealed that most consumers preferred the taste of New Coke to both Coke and Pepsi. The reformulation was led by the then-[[CEO]] of the company, [[Roberto Goizueta]], and the president Don Keough.
It is unclear what part long-time company president [[Robert W. Woodruff]] played in the reformulation. Goizueta claimed that Woodruff endorsed it a few months before his death in 1985; others have pointed out that, as the two men were alone when the matter was discussed, Goizueta might have misinterpreted the wishes of the dying Woodruff, who could speak only in monosyllables. It has also been alleged that Woodruff might not have been able to understand what Goizueta was telling him.
The commercial failure of New Coke therefore came as a grievous blow to the management of the [[Coca-Cola Company]]. It is possible that customers would not have noticed the change if it had been made secretly or gradually, and thus brand loyalty could have been maintained. Coca-Cola management was unprepared, however, for the nostalgic sentiments the drink aroused in the American public; some compared changing the Coke formula to rewriting the [[Constitution of the United States|American Constitution]].
The new Coca-Cola formula subsequently caused a public [[backlash]]. [[Gay Mullins]], from [[Seattle, Washington]], founded the [[Old Cola Drinkers of America]] organization, which attempted to sue the company, and lobbied for the formula of Old Coke to be released into the [[public ___domain]]. This and other protests caused the company to return to the [[Coca-Cola formula|old formula]] under the name Coca-Cola Classic on [[July 10]], [[1985]]. The company was later accused of performing this ''volte-face'' as an elaborate ruse to introduce a new product while reviving interest in the original. Donald Keough, company president at the time, responded to the accusation by declaring: "Some critics will say Coca-Cola made a marketing mistake. Some cynics will say that we planned the whole thing. The truth is we are not that dumb, and we are not that smart."
The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest consumer of natural vanilla extract. When New Coke was introduced in [[1985]], this had a severe impact on the economy of [[Madagascar]], a prime vanilla exporter, since New Coke used [[vanillin]], a less-expensive synthetic substitute. Purchases of vanilla more than halved during this period. But the flop of [[New Coke]] brought a recovery.
[[Image:Coca Cola by Zelphics.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Two modern Coca Cola cans {{ifdc|Image:Coca Cola by Zelphics.jpg}}]]
Meanwhile, the market share for New Coke had dwindled to only 3% by [[1986]]. The company renamed the product "Coke II" in 1992 (not to be confused with "[[Coca-Cola C2|Coke C2]]", a reduced-[[sugar]] cola launched by Coca-Cola in 2004). However, sales falloff caused a severe cutback in distribution. By [[1998]], it was sold in only a few places in the Midwestern U.S.
===21st century===
On [[February 7]], [[2005]], the Coca-Cola Company announced that in the second quarter of 2005 they planned a launch of a [[Diet Coke]] product sweetened with the artificial sweetener [[sucralose]] ("Splenda"), the same sweetener currently used in [[Pepsi One]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.coca-cola.com/presscenter/newproducts_dietcoke_splenda.html |title=DIET COKE SWEETENED WITH SPLENDA® |accessdate=2007-01-06 |format= |work= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pepsi.com/help/faqs/faq.php?category=pepsi_brands&page=pepsi_one |title=PEPSI BRANDS - Pepsi ONE |accessdate=2007-01-06 |format= |work= }}</ref> On [[March 21]], [[2005]], it announced another diet product, "[[Coca-Cola Zero]]", sweetened partly with a blend of [[aspartame]] and [[acesulfame potassium]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.coca-cola.com/presscenter/nr_20050321_americas_cocacola_zero.html |title=COCA-COLA ANNOUNCES PLANS TO LAUNCH COCA-COLA ZERO |accessdate=2007-01-06 |format= |work= }}</ref>
==Production==
===Formula===
{{main|Coca-Cola formula}}
The exact formula of Coca-Cola is a famous [[trade secret]]. The original copy of the formula is held in [[SunTrust Bank]]'s main vault in [[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta]]. Its predecessor, the [[Trust Company]], was the [[underwriter]] for the Coca-Cola Company's [[initial public offering]] in 1919.<ref>[http://www.southsideweb.com/n2hoops/suntrust.htm Sun Trust]</ref> A popular myth states that only two executives have access to the formula, with each executive having only half the formula. The truth is that while Coca-Cola does have a rule restricting access to only two executives, each knows the entire formula and others, in addition to the prescribed duo, have known the formulation process.
===Franchised production model===
The actual production and distribution of Coca-Cola follows a franchising model. The Coca-Cola Company only produces a syrup concentrate, which it sells to various bottlers throughout the world who hold Coca-Cola franchises for one or more geographical areas. The bottlers produce the final drink by mixing the syrup with filtered water and sugar (or artificial sweeteners) and fill it into cans and bottles, which the bottlers then sell and distribute to retail stores, vending machines, restaurants and food service distributors. The bottlers are normally also responsible for all advertisement and other sales initiatives within their areas.
The Coca-Cola Company owns minority shares in some of its largest franchisees, like [[Coca-Cola Enterprises]], [[Coca-Cola Amatil]], [[Coca-Cola Hellenic|Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company]] (CCHBC) and [[Coca-Cola FEMSA]], but fully independent bottlers produce almost half of the volume sold in the world.
Since independent bottlers add sugar and sweeteners, the sweetness of the drink differs in various parts of the world, to cater for local tastes.
===Bottle and logo design===
[[Image:Cocacola bottle.jpg|thumb|The first version of the famous bottle went into production in 1916.]]
The famous Coca-Cola [[logotype]] was created by John Pemberton's bookkeeper, Frank Mason Robinson, in 1885.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://inventors.about.com/od/advertisingmedia/ss/Coca_Cola_Comp_2.htm |title=Coca Cola Company - Red Spencerian Script |accessdate=2007-01-11 |format= |work= }}</ref> It was Robinson who came up with the name, and he also chose the logo’s distinctive cursive script. The typeface used, known as [[Spencerian Script|Spencerian script]], was developed in the mid 19th century and was the dominant form of formal handwriting in the United States during that period.
The equally famous Coca-Cola bottle, called the "contour bottle" within the company, but known to some as the "[[hobble skirt]]" bottle, was created in 1915 by a [[Sweden|Swedish]] former [[glassblower]], Alexander Samuelson, who had emigrated to the U.S. in the 1880s and was employed as a manager at [[The Root Glass Company]] in [[Terre Haute, Indiana|Terre Haute]], [[Indiana]], one of Coca-Cola's bottle suppliers. According to the Coca-Cola Company, Samuelson took time to ponder a possible new design for the bottle after production at his plant was shut down due to a [[heat wave]]. Inspired, he considered the possibility of basing a new design on the [[kola nut]] or [[coca leaf]], two of the drink's flagship ingredients. He sent an employee to research the shape of the two objects in question, but a misunderstanding led to the man returning with sketches of the [[cacao pod]]—a crucial ingredient in [[chocolate]], but not Coca-Cola. According to the company, it was this mistaken design that was accepted and put into production.<ref name="snopes bottle design">Mikkelson, Barbara (1999). [http://snopes.com/cokelore/bottle.asp "Design Err Shape"]. Retrieved June 14, 2006.</ref>
Although endorsed by the company, this version of events is not considered authoritative by many who cite its implausibility as difficult to believe. One alternative depiction has [[Raymond Loewy]] as the inventor of the unique design, but although Loewy did serve as a designer of Coke cans and bottles in later years, he was in the [[French Army]] in the year the bottle was invented and did not migrate to the United States until 1919. Others have attributed inspiration for the design not to the cacao pod, but to a [[Victorian fashion|Victorian]] [[Hoop skirt|hooped dress]].<ref name="snopes bottle design"/>
A new slim and tall can has begun to appear in Australia as of December 20, 2006. The cans have a distinct resemblance to energy drinks that are popular with the teenage demographic. It is unknown if this design is of limited edition or may soon replace the current 375 ml cans that have been used in the past (the new slim cans are 300 ml ).
==Local competitors==
[[Pepsi]] is often second to Coke in terms of sales, but outsells Coca-Cola in some localities. Around the world, some local brands do compete with Coke. In [[South America|South]] and [[Central America]], [[Kola Real]], known as [[Big Cola]] in [[Mexico]], is a fast growing competitor to Coca-Cola.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ricardo|last= Mireles |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= In Mexico, Big Cola is the real thing |url= http://www.logisticstoday.com/sNO/6366/iID/20876/LT/displayStory.asp|work= |publisher=Logistics Today |date= |accessdate=2007-01-15 }}</ref> On the French island of [[Corsica]], [[Corsica Cola]], made on the French island of [[Corsica]] by brewers of the local Pietra beer, is a growing compeditor to Coca-Cola. In Peru, [[Inca Kola]] outsells Coca-Cola. However, [[The Coca-Cola Company]] purchased the brand in 1999.<ref>[http://www.allbusiness.com/periodicals/article/158163-1.html "Coca-Cola Buys Half of Peru Soft Drink, Rights to Global Distribution...And Unveils Its Own Bottled Water in the United States"]. (Mar. 1, 1999). ''AllBusiness''.</ref> In [[Sweden]], [[Julmust]] outsells Coca-Cola during the [[Christmas]] season.<ref>[http://kristallbeverage.com/KBJulmust.html "About Kristall Beverage"]. Retrieved June 14, 2006.</ref> In [[Scotland]], the locally-produced [[Irn-Bru]] was more popular than Coca-Cola until 2005, when Coca-Cola and Diet Coke began to outpace its sales.<ref>Murden, Terry (Jan. 30, 2005). [http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/business.cfm?id=112872005 Coke adds life to health drinks sector]. ''Scotland on Sunday''.</ref> In [[India]], Coca-Cola ranks third behind the leader, Pepsi-Cola, and local drink [[Thums Up]]. However, [[The Coca-Cola Company]] purchased [[Thums Up]] in 1993.<ref>Kripalani, Manjeet and Mark L. Clifford (February 10, 2003) [http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/03_06/b3819080.htm "Finally, Coke Gets It Right in India"]. ''[[BusinessWeek]]''. Retrieved August 9, 2006.</ref> [[Tropicola]], a domestic drink, is served in [[Cuba]] instead of Coca-Cola, in which there exists a United States embargo. [[Mecca Cola]], in the [[Middle East]], is a competitor to Coca-Cola. In [[Turkey]], [[Cola Turka]] is a major competitor to Coca-Cola. In [[Iran]] and also many countries of Middle East, [[Zam Zam Cola]] and [[Parsi Cola]] are major competitors to Coca-Cola. Finally, In [[Slovenia]], the locally-produced [[Cockta]] is a major competitor to Coca-Cola, as is the inexpensive Mercator Cola, which is sold only in the country's biggest supermarket chain, Mercator.
==Advertising==
[[Image:Df 2.jpg|thumb|300px|right|In 2006, a [[Football_(soccer)|football]] (soccer) shaped Diet Coke / Coke Bottle was launched as part of a promotion campaign for the [[FIFA World Cup 2006]].]]
Coca-Cola's advertising has had a significant impact on American culture, and is frequently credited with the "invention" of the modern image of [[Santa Claus]] as an old man in red-and-white garments; however, while the company did in fact start promoting this image in the 1930s in its winter advertising campaigns, it was already common before that.<ref>Barbara Mikkelson and David P. Mikkelson, "[http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/santa.asp The Claus That Refreshes]," snopes.com, February 27, 2001 (accessed June 10, 2005).</ref> In fact, Coca-Cola was not even the first soft drink company to utilize the modern image Santa Claus in its advertising – [[White Rock Beverages]] used Santa in advertisements for its [[ginger ale]] in [[1923]] after first using him to sell [[mineral water]] in [[1915]]. <ref>The White Rock Collectors Association, "[http://www.whiterocking.org/santa.html#article Did White Rock or The Coca-Cola® Company create the modern Santa Claus Advertisement?]," whiterocking.org, 2001 (accessed January 19, 2007).</ref> <ref>White Rock Beverages, "[http://www.bevnet.com/news/2006/12-18-2006-white_rock_coke_santa_claus.asp Coca-Cola's Santa Claus: Not The Real Thing!]," BevNET.com, December 18, 2006 (accessed January 19, 2007).</ref>
In the 1970s, a song from a Coca-Cola commercial called "[[I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing]]", produced by [[Roquel Billy Davis|Billy Davis]], became a popular hit single.
Coca-Cola has a policy of avoiding using children younger than the age of 12 in any of its advertising. This decision was made as a result of a lawsuit from the beginning of the 20th century that alleged that Coke's [[caffeine]] content was dangerous to children. However, in recent times, this has not stopped the company from targeting young consumers. In addition, it has not been disclosed in exact terms how safe Coke is for consumption by young children (or pregnant mothers).
Coke's advertising has been rather pervasive, as one of Woodruff's stated goals was to ensure that everyone on Earth drank Coca-Cola as their preferred beverage. Advertising for Coke is now almost ubiquitous, especially in southern areas of [[North America]], such as [[Atlanta]], where Coke was born.
Some of the memorable Coca-Cola television commercials between 1960 through 1986, were written and produced by former Atlanta radio veteran [[Don Naylor]] ([[WGST]] 1936-1950, [[WAGA]] 1951-1959) during his career as a producer for the [[McCann Erickson]] advertising agency. Many of these early television commercials for Coca-Cola featured movie stars, sports heroes, and popular singers of the day.
During the 1980s, [[Pepsi-Cola]] ran a series of television advertisements showing people participating in taste tests in which they expressed a preference for Pepsi over Coke. Coca-Cola ran ads to combat Pepsi's ads in an incident sometimes referred to as the ''[[cola wars]]''; one of Coke's ads compared the so-called [[Pepsi challenge]] to two [[chimpanzee]]s deciding which [[tennis ball]] was furrier. Thereafter, Coca-Cola regained its leadership in the market.
[[Selena]] was a spokesperson for Coca-Cola from 1989 till the time of her death. She filmed three commercials for the company. In 1994 to commemorate her 5 years with the company, Coca-Cola issued special Selena coke bottles.<ref>Orozco, Cynthia E. [http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/QQ/fquxg.html Quintanilla Perez, Selena.] The Handbook of Texas online. Retrieved on [[June 5]] [[2006]]</ref>
In an attempt to broaden its portfolio, Coca-Cola purchased [[Columbia Pictures]] in [[1982]]. Columbia provided subtle publicity through Coke product placements in many of its films while under Coke's ownership. However, after a few early successes, Columbia began to under-perform, and was dropped by the company in [[1989]].
Coca-Cola has gone through a number of different advertising slogans in its long history, including "The pause that refreshes", "I'd like to buy the world a Coke", and "Coke is it" (see [[Coca-Cola slogans]]).
===Sport Event Sponsorships===
Coca-Cola was the first-ever [[sponsor]] of the Olympic games, at the [[1928]] games in [[Amsterdam]] and has been an Olympics sponsor ever since.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.olympic.org/uk/organisation/facts/programme/profiles_uk.asp?sponsor=1 |title=INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE - ORGANISATION - FACTS AND FIGURES |accessdate=2007-01-13 |format= |work= }}</ref> This corporate sponsorship included the [[1996 Summer Olympics]] hosted in [[Atlanta]], which allowed Coca-Cola to spotlight its hometown. Since 1978 Coca-Cola has sponsored each [[FIFA World Cup]] and other competitions organised by FIFA. In fact, one of the [[FIFA]] tournament trophy: [[FIFA World Youth Championship]] from [[Tunisia]] in 1977 to [[Malaysia]] in 1997 was called "FIFA - Coca Cola Cup".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/en/marketing/partners/index/0,3517,13,00.html |title=Marketing & TV > FIFA Partners > Coca Cola |accessdate=2007-01-13 |format= |work= }}</ref> In addition, Coca Cola sponsors the annual [[Coca-Cola 600]] for the NASCAR Nextel Cup auto racing series at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina. Coca-Cola has a long history of sports marketing relationships, which over the years have included Major League Baseball, the National Football League, National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League, as well as with many teams within those leagues.
==Criticisms==
{{main|Criticism of Coca-Cola}}
The Coca-Cola Company has been criticized for the allegedly adverse health effects of its flagship product. However, a common criticism of Coke based on its allegedly toxic acidity levels has been found to be baseless by most researchers; [[lawsuit]]s based on these criticisms have been dismissed by several American courts for this reason.<!--this is a summary; refer to third paragraph of this section for detailed discussion and citations instead of digging for anything that looks remotely controversial and tagging it-->
Most [[nutrition]]ists advise that Coca-Cola and other soft drinks can be harmful if consumed excessively, particularly to young children whose soft drink consumption competes with, rather than complements, a balanced diet. Studies have shown that regular soft drink users have a lower intake of [[calcium]] (which can contribute to [[osteoporosis]]), [[magnesium]], [[ascorbic acid]], [[riboflavin]], and [[vitamin A]].<ref>Jacobson, Michael F. (2005). "[http://www.cspinet.org/sodapop/liquid_candy.htm Liquid Candy: How Soft Drinks are Harming Americans' Health]". Retrieved June 10, 2005.</ref> The drink has also aroused criticism for its use of [[caffeine]], an addictive substance which does not affect the products' taste.<ref>Center for Science in the Public Interest (1997). "[http://www.cspinet.org/new/caffeine.htm Label Caffeine Content of Foods, Scientists Tell FDA]." Retrieved June 10, 2005.</ref>
Although numerous court cases have been filed against The Coca-Cola Company since the 1920s, alleging that the acidity of the drink is dangerous, no evidence corroborating this claim has been found. Under normal conditions, scientific evidence indicates Coca-Cola's acidity causes no immediate harm.<ref>Mikkelson, Barbara & Mikkelson, David P. (2004). "[http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/acid.asp Acid Slip]". Retrieved June 10, 2005.</ref>
Like most other colas, Coca-Cola contains [[Phosphoric acid#Biological effects on bone calcium|phosphoric acid]]. One study has shown that this hastens bone loss, contributing to illnesses such as [[osteoporosis]].<ref>ASBMR (2003). [http://www.asbmr.org/news/press_releases/2003/newsrel06.cfm "Cola Soft Drinks May Contribute to Lower Bone Mineral Density in Women"]. Retrieved May 16, 2006.</ref>
There is also some concern regarding the usage of [[high fructose corn syrup]] in the production of Coca-Cola. Since [[1985]] in the U.S., Coke has been made with [[high fructose corn syrup]], instead of sugar glucose or fructose, to reduce costs. This has come under criticism because of concerns that the [[maize|corn]] used to produce corn syrup may come from genetically altered plants.<ref>Forristal, Linda Joyce (2003). [http://www.westonaprice.org/motherlinda/cornsyrup.html "The Murky World of High Fructose Corn Syrup"]. Retrieved May 16, 2006.</ref> Some nutritionists also caution against consumption of high fructose corn syrup because of possible links to obesity and diabetes.<ref>[http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/news/ng.asp?id=51623-single-food-ingredient "Single food ingredient the cause of obesity ? New study has industry up in arms"]. (Apr. 26, 2004). ''FoodNavigator.com''.</ref>
In India, there exists a major controversy concerning [[pesticide]]s and other harmful chemicals in bottled products including Coca-Cola. In 2003, the [http://www.cseindia.org/ Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)], a [[non-governmental organization]] in [[New Delhi]], said aerated waters produced by soft drinks manufacturers in India, including multinational giants PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, contained toxins including [[lindane]], [[DDT]], [[malathion]] and [[chlorpyrifos]] — [[pesticides]] that can contribute to cancer and a breakdown of the immune system. Tested products included Coke, Pepsi, and several other soft drinks, many produced by The Coca-Cola Company. CSE found that the Indian produced Pepsi's soft drink products had 36 times the level of pesticide residues permitted under [[European Union]] regulations; Coca-Cola's soft drink was found to have 30 times the permitted amount. CSE said it had tested the same products sold in the US and found no such residues.<ref>PTF (2003). [http://www.rediff.com/money/2003/aug/05pepsicoke.htm "Pepsi, Coke contain pesticides: CSE"]. Retrieved June 12, 2006.</ref> After the pesticide allegations were made in 2003, Coca-Cola sales declined by 15%. In 2004, an Indian parliamentary committee backed up CSE's findings, and a government-appointed committee was tasked with developing the world's first pesticide standards for soft drinks. The Coca-Cola Company has responded that its plants filter water to remove potential contaminants and that its products are tested for pesticides and must meet minimum health standards before they are distributed.<ref>Coca-Cola website (2006). [http://www.coca-colaindia.com/faqs/myths-facts.asp '''"THE COCA-COLA COMPANY ADDRESSES ALLEGATIONS MADE ABOUT OUR BUSINESS IN INDIA"]. Retrieved June 12, 2006.</ref> In the Indian state of [[Kerala]], sale and production of Coca-Cola, along with other soft drinks, was initially banned,<ref>[http://autofeed.msn.co.in/pandorav3/output/News/53a3285a-8106-4c3f-9e76-a5081c8762b8.aspx Kerala bans Coke and Pepsi]</ref> before the High Court in Kerala overturned the ban ruling that only the federal government can ban food products.<ref>Thomas, V.M. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/22/AR2006092200277.html Indian Court Overturns Coke, Pepsi Ban]</ref>
In [[2006]], the [[United States]] [[Food and Drug Administration]] responded to reports that the [[carcinogen]] [[benzene]] was present in unhealthy levels in certain [[soft drinks]] by conducting a survey of more than 100 soft drinks and other beverages. Based on this limited survey, the FDA stated that it "believes that the results indicate that benzene levels are not a safety concern for consumers."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2006/506_benzene.html |title=Benzene in Beverages |format= |work= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/benzltr.html |title= Letter Regarding Benzene Levels in Soft Drinks |format= |work=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/benzdata.html |title=Data on Benzene in Soft Drinks and Other Beverages |format= |work= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | first = Michelle | last = Meadows | title = Benzene in Beverages | url = http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2006/506_benzene.html | work = US FDA |date= September-October 2006 | accessdate = 2006-12-23}}</ref>
<!-- Please expand this section in [[Criticism of Coca-Cola]], this section is just a short summary of that more lengthy and detailed article -->
<!-- Further note that this section is for criticisms of Coca-Cola, the *drink*; For criticisms of The Coca-Cola Company including affiliated bottlers (such as those in Colombia) please see [[The Coca-Cola Company]] for a summary -->
<!--NOTE READ ME - URGENT
**************************************************************************
DO NOT ADD MATERIAL HERE WITHOUT ADDING IT TO THE MAIN CRITICISMS ARTICLE. THIS IS A SUMMARY SECTION ONLY- IT IS ONLY ABOUT THE COKE PRODUCT - THE DRINK ITSELF - NOT THE COMPANY OR ITS BUSINESS PRACTICES. IT IS A SUMMARY ONLY.
***************************************************************************
READ ABOVE - URGENT !! -->
==Coca-Cola as a political and corporate symbol==
[[Image:Coca_cola_can_hebrew.jpg|right|thumb|100px|[[Israel|Israeli]] can of Coca-Cola with [[Hebrew]] logo. {{ifdc|Image:Coca_cola_can_hebrew.jpg}}]]
The Coca-Cola drink has a high degree of identification with the United States itself, being considered by some an "American Brand" or to a small extent as a item representing America. The identification with the spread of American culture has led to the pun Coca-Colanization.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wordspy.com/words/Coca-Colanization.asp |title=Word Spy - Coca-Colanization |accessdate=2007-01-03 |format= |work= }}</ref> The drink is also often a [[metonymy|metonym]] for the Coca-Cola Company.
Coke is less popular in other places, such as [[India]], due to suspicions regarding the health standards of the drink, and in Arab countries, due to disapproval of U.S. foreign policy in Israel and elsewhere. [[Mecca Cola]] has become a hit in the Middle East in the past few years.
As part of their [[2005]] "Experience The Experience" tour, art group [[monochrom]] created a "Brick Of Coke". To do this, they put several gallons of Coca-Cola into a pot and boiled it down until the residue left behind could be molded into a brick.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.monochrom.at/experiences/coke.htm |title= Experience The Experience Of A Brick Of Coke |accessdate=2007-01-03 |format= |work= }}</ref>
==Notes==
<div class="references-small">
<references />
</div>
== See also ==
*[[The Coca-Cola Company]]
*[[World of Coca-Cola|The World of Coca-Cola]]
*[[Soft drink]]
*[[Pepsi-Cola]]
*[[OpenCola]]
*[[Mecca Cola]]
===Types of Coke===
*[[New Coke]]
*[[Diet Coke]]
*[[Coca-Cola C2]]
*[[Coca-Cola Zero]]
*[[Cherry Coke]]
*[[Diet Coke Cherry]]
*[[Vanilla Coke]]
*[[Diet Vanilla Coke]]
*[[Coca-Cola with Lime]]
*[[Diet Coke with Lime]]
*[[Raspberry Coke]]
*[[Diet Raspberry Coke]]
*[[Coca-Cola Blāk]]
== External links ==
{{Commons|Coca-Cola}}
*[http://www.cocacola.com/ Coca-Cola website]
*[http://www.schmidtmuseum.com Schmidt Museum of Coca-Cola Memorabilia]
*[http://xenon.stanford.edu/~liao/cokewww.html Bobby's Coca-Cola on the Web]
*[http://csmweb2.emcweb.com/durable/1998/10/08/p9s3.htm A page about New Coke]
*[http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_033.html The Straight Dope: Is it true Coca-Cola once contained cocaine?]
*[http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/ Coca-Cola urban legends (or not)]
*[http://www2.coca-cola.com/contactus/myths_rumors/index.html Coca-Cola Myths & Rumors]
* [http://www.aldaver.com/index.html#world20 FIFA U-21 World Youth Championships Emblems and Trophy Image]
*[http://www.therisenrealm.com/cocacola_recipe.html Coca Cola Recipe]
*[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7257920/ Coke to launch new no-calorie soda]: MSNBC story on Coca-Cola Zero, which clarifies that it is ''not'' the same as the Splenda-sweetened product
*[http://www.franteractive.net/coke.html Should Coke Replace Cans with Bottles?]:
{{Colas}}
[[Category:Cola]]
[[Category:Coca-Cola]]
[[Category:Coca-Cola brands]]
[[ar:كوكاكولا]]
[[ast:Coca-Cola]]
[[bs:Coca-Cola]]
[[bg:Кока Кола]]
[[ca:Coca-Cola]]
[[cs:Coca-Cola]]
[[cy:Coca-Cola]]
[[da:Coca-Cola]]
[[de:Coca-Cola]]
[[et:Coca-Cola]]
[[es:Coca-Cola]]
[[eo:Koka-kolao]]
[[eu:Coca-Cola]]
[[fa:کوکاکولا]]
[[fr:Coca-Cola]]
[[ko:코카콜라]]
[[id:Coca-Cola]]
[[is:Coca-Cola]]
[[it:Coca-Cola]]
[[he:קוקה קולה]]
[[ku:Coca Cola]]
[[la:Coca-Cola]]
[[hu:Coca-Cola]]
[[ml:കൊക്ക കോള]]
[[ms:Coca-Cola]]
[[nl:Coca-Cola]]
[[ja:コカ・コーラ]]
[[no:Coca-Cola]]
[[pl:Coca-Cola]]
[[pt:Coca-Cola]]
[[ro:Coca-Cola]]
[[ru:Кока-кола]]
[[sq:Coca-Cola]]
[[scn:Coca Cola]]
[[simple:Coca-Cola]]
[[sl:Coca-Cola]]
[[sr:Кока-кола]]
[[fi:Coca-Cola]]
[[sv:Coca-Cola]]
[[ta:கொக்கக் கோலா]]
[[th:โค้ก]]
[[vi:Coca-Cola]]
[[tr:Coca-Cola]]
[[yi:קאקע קאלע]]
[[zh-yue:可口可樂]]
[[zh:可口可乐]]
| |||