The soft drink Coca-Cola was first introduced on May 8, 1886. Here, a coupon offers a free glass of Coke in 1887. See how the company's advertisements have changed over the last 130 years.
The soft drink Coca-Cola was first introduced on May 8, 1886. Here, a coupon offers a free glass of Coke in 1887. See how the company's advertisements have changed over the last 130 years.
The Coca-Cola Company
<strong>1890:</strong> One of Coca-Cola's earliest print ads included the slogan "refreshing and invigorating" as well as the original price for a glass: 5 cents. That price did not change until 1959, the company said.
1890: One of Coca-Cola's earliest print ads included the slogan "refreshing and invigorating" as well as the original price for a glass: 5 cents. That price did not change until 1959, the company said.
The Coca-Cola Company
<strong>1900: </strong>Singer and actress Hilda Clark was the first celebrity to be featured in Coca-Cola advertising. Her likeness could be found on serving trays, signs, clocks, coupons and more.
1900: Singer and actress Hilda Clark was the first celebrity to be featured in Coca-Cola advertising. Her likeness could be found on serving trays, signs, clocks, coupons and more.
The Coca-Cola Company
<strong>1925:</strong> Coca-Cola's first billboard, "Ritz Boy," promotes how popular the drink had become.
1925: Coca-Cola's first billboard, "Ritz Boy," promotes how popular the drink had become.
The Coca-Cola Company
<strong>1931: </strong>Coca-Cola puts an image of Santa Claus on an ad that debuted in the Saturday Evening Post and appeared regularly in magazines. It was painted by Haddon Sundblom, who continued to paint a new Santa for Coke every year until 1964.
1931: Coca-Cola puts an image of Santa Claus on an ad that debuted in the Saturday Evening Post and appeared regularly in magazines. It was painted by Haddon Sundblom, who continued to paint a new Santa for Coke every year until 1964.
The Coca-Cola Company
<strong>1932:</strong> At the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, spectators received these "Olympic record keepers" to keep track of world records in various sports.
1932: At the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, spectators received these "Olympic record keepers" to keep track of world records in various sports.
The Coca-Cola Company
<strong>1935:</strong> Between 1928 and 1935, artist Norman Rockwell painted six different illustrations that were used in Coca-Cola ads. The 1935 calendar featured "Out Fishin," which depicted a young boy fishing on a tree stump.
1935: Between 1928 and 1935, artist Norman Rockwell painted six different illustrations that were used in Coca-Cola ads. The 1935 calendar featured "Out Fishin," which depicted a young boy fishing on a tree stump.
The Coca-Cola Company
<strong>1944:</strong> A soldier is seen on this World War II-era ad.
1944: A soldier is seen on this World War II-era ad.
The Coca-Cola Company
<strong>1946:</strong> The Coca-Cola billboard "Yes Girl" makes its debut. It was painted by Haddon Sundblom, who also created the iconic Coca-Cola Santa Claus.
1946: The Coca-Cola billboard "Yes Girl" makes its debut. It was painted by Haddon Sundblom, who also created the iconic Coca-Cola Santa Claus.
The Coca-Cola Company
<strong>1951:</strong> This ad was released in celebration of Coca-Cola's 65th anniversary.
1951: This ad was released in celebration of Coca-Cola's 65th anniversary.
The Coca-Cola Company
<strong>1957:</strong> Mary Alexander was the first African-American woman to appear in Coca-Cola advertising. She appeared in about 15 Coca-Cola print ads throughout the 1950s.
1957: Mary Alexander was the first African-American woman to appear in Coca-Cola advertising. She appeared in about 15 Coca-Cola print ads throughout the 1950s.
The Coca-Cola Company
<strong>1971:</strong> Perhaps the most famous Coca-Cola ad of all time, "Hilltop," debuted in 1971. The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VM2eLhvsSM" target="_blank" target="_blank">television commercial</a> features an international group of people singing "I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke."
1971: Perhaps the most famous Coca-Cola ad of all time, "Hilltop," debuted in 1971. The television commercial features an international group of people singing "I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke."
The Coca-Cola Company
<strong>1979:</strong> A commercial featuring football player "Mean" Joe Greene becomes one of the most memorable Super Bowl ads of all time. A boy <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oaiV8MQH7s" target="_blank" target="_blank">shares a Coke</a> with Greene; he gives the boy his jersey.
1979: A commercial featuring football player "Mean" Joe Greene becomes one of the most memorable Super Bowl ads of all time. A boy shares a Coke with Greene; he gives the boy his jersey.
The Coca-Cola Company
<strong>1982:</strong> Diet Coke was the first extension of the Coca-Cola brand name beyond the original drink. It hit U.S. markets in 1982 as a way to attract consumers who wanted a lower-calorie option.
1982: Diet Coke was the first extension of the Coca-Cola brand name beyond the original drink. It hit U.S. markets in 1982 as a way to attract consumers who wanted a lower-calorie option.
The Coca-Cola Company
<strong>1985:</strong> Cherry Coke puts a contemporary spin on a homespun beverage many Americans enjoyed as a kid, when "soda jerks" at the local drugstore would add a splash of cherry syrup to fountain Coca-Cola.
1985: Cherry Coke puts a contemporary spin on a homespun beverage many Americans enjoyed as a kid, when "soda jerks" at the local drugstore would add a splash of cherry syrup to fountain Coca-Cola.
The Coca-Cola Company
<strong>1985:</strong> Coca-Cola announces the introduction of "New Coke" -- a reformulation designed to re-energize sales in the United States. Consumers quickly voiced their distaste, and the company brought back original Coca-Cola just 79 days later.
1985: Coca-Cola announces the introduction of "New Coke" -- a reformulation designed to re-energize sales in the United States. Consumers quickly voiced their distaste, and the company brought back original Coca-Cola just 79 days later.
The Coca-Cola Company
<strong>1991: </strong>One of the most famous Coca-Cola advertising slogans, "Can't Beat the Real Thing," ran in various ads until 1993.
1991: One of the most famous Coca-Cola advertising slogans, "Can't Beat the Real Thing," ran in various ads until 1993.
The Coca-Cola Company
<strong>1993:</strong> Coca-Cola's animated polar bears debuted in 1993 as part of the company's "Always" campaign. They are often used in holiday ads.
1993: Coca-Cola's animated polar bears debuted in 1993 as part of the company's "Always" campaign. They are often used in holiday ads.
The Coca-Cola Company
<strong>2011:</strong> The "Share a Coke" campaign, originally launched in Australia, has been one of Coca-Cola's most successful marketing campaigns to date. Responding to consumers' desire for personalization, the company added common names to Coca-Cola packaging. The campaign launched in the United States in 2014.
2011: The "Share a Coke" campaign, originally launched in Australia, has been one of Coca-Cola's most successful marketing campaigns to date. Responding to consumers' desire for personalization, the company added common names to Coca-Cola packaging. The campaign launched in the United States in 2014.
The Coca-Cola Company