ATLANTA, August 7, 2007 – With just one year to go until “08-08-08” and the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, The Coca-Cola Company is announcing plans for a new global Olympic television commercial featuring Olympians LeBron James and Yao Ming.
The Olympic Games in Beijing will represent the largest union of cultures in the history of the modern Games, and the new ad will highlight James and Yao as “Olympic Ambassadors” who symbolize how the world comes together over a Coca-Cola during the Games. The new commercial will be part of the global “Coke Side of Life” campaign.
The Coca-Cola Company has proudly partnered with the Olympic Games for almost 80 years, longer than any other sponsor. The Company and its brands espouse the same ideals of unity and physical and mental well-being that are a central part of the Olympic Movement. "We are excited about the coming year of uplifting Coca-Cola programs that will celebrate the magic of the 2008 Olympic Games together with our partners and consumers,” said Hendrik Steckhan, president and general manager, Sparkling Beverages, Coca-Cola North America. “The Olympic Games and Coca-Cola both connect people in a positive, inspiring way. In our new commercial, LeBron and Yao will come together not as competitors, but as individuals to show how the Olympic Games and Coca-Cola truly unite cultures and people.”
“I am extremely proud to be a member of the U.S. Olympic team,” said LeBron James, co-captain of Team USA Basketball. “The Olympics bring people from around the world together to share in the spirit of the Games. Teaming with my fellow NBA All-Star Yao Ming in the new Coca Cola Olympic commercial demonstrates how East and West will unite during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.”
“It is an honor to represent China in the Olympic Games and in this special Coca-Cola ad that will be seen by millions of people around the world,” said Yao Ming, member of Team China Basketball. “I’m looking forward to sharing a Coca-Cola with LeBron and the world in our new Olympic commercial.”
Yao Ming’s new association with Coca-Cola was announced in July when Coca-Cola China unveiled its “Coca-Cola Olympic Star Team,” a group of athletes who will be part of a variety of Coca-Cola programs in China including special packing, advertising and promotions. LeBron James has been involved with the Company since 2003 and has taken part in multiple activities for brands Sprite and POWERADE. This new ad will be the first global Coca-Cola commercial for both athletes.
Over the next year in China, the U.S., and dozens of other countries around the world, numerous Coca-Cola programs will help connect people with the Olympic Games and build excitement for “08-08-08.” Coca-Cola is also a worldwide partner of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay, which will visit multiple countries on six continents – including San Francisco on April 9, 2008 -- and criss-cross mainland China before the cauldron is lit in Beijing.
To celebrate the “one-year-out” milestone, Coca-Cola China is hosting a number of events in Beijing. The activities included a celebration on August 5 in Chaoyang Park, a popular recreation area, where more than 40,000 visitors were able to participate in interactive games, have their photo taken with the Beijing Olympic Torch and view a display chronicling the partnership between The Coca-Cola Company and the Olympic Games. On the evening of August 7 hundreds of invited guests will count down the last moments to the stroke of midnight at the Olympic Center adjacent to the Beijing National Stadium. Chinese athletes and
“Coca-Cola Olympic Star Team” members Yao Ming and Liu Xiang, gold medalist in the 110 meters hurdles, will be present to share their excitement about the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
The Coca- Cola "One Year to Go" pin.
Additionally, Coca-Cola unveiled a “One Year To Go” pin to commemorate the occasion.
Residents and visitors to Beijing will also see the largest outdoor advertising presence ever seen in China. Depicting members of the “Star Team” and featuring “Coke Side of Life” graphics, the campaign with the theme of “Shuang is Coming,” will be present in half of Beijing’s public transport advertising panels beginning this month. The word “shuang”, which means physical, emotional and spiritual refreshment, is reflective of the optimism and excitement for the Beijing Olympic Games.
The Coca-Cola Company has been an Olympic partner since 1928 and is the longest continuous corporate supporter of the Olympic Movement. As a sponsor, the Company works with National Olympic Committees in more than 200 countries to help athletes train and compete. More than 90 percent of the Coca-Cola system's investment in the Olympic Games is directed to athlete development and to assist in staging the Games. The Coca-Cola Company is the exclusive nonalcoholic beverage provider to the Olympic Games through 2020.
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company. Along with
Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's most valuable brand, the Company markets four of the world's top five nonalcoholic sparkling beverage brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta and Sprite, and a wide range of other beverages, including diet and light beverages, waters, juices and juice drinks, teas, coffees, energy and sports drinks. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate exceeding 1.4 billion servings each day. For more information about The Coca-Cola Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.
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