Tag: coca cola

  • Coke ad faces backlash in Bangladesh as actors forced to apologize

    Coke ad faces backlash in Bangladesh as actors forced to apologize

    A 60-second-long Coke ad faces backlash in Bangladesh has caused a storm of criticism for the brand over its attempt to distance itself from Israel amid the genocide in Gaza.

    A report by Al-Jazeera says that Coca-Cola sales have declined by about 23 per cent in Bangladesh since the genocide in Gaza started.

    Consequently, the beverage brand’s advertising campaign in the country has moved from full-page newspaper advertisements to prominent placements on news websites in order to convince people otherwise.

    On Sunday, the company released an advertisement on television and social media to dispel the “misinformation” that Coca-Cola is an Israeli product.

    The advertisement argued that the beverage “has been enjoyed for 138 years by people in 190 countries.

    The advertisement opens on a hot day in a market, with a young man approaching a middle-aged shopkeeper as the latter is watching a song from Coke Studio.

    “How are you, Sohail? Should I give you a [bottle of] Coke?” asks the shopkeeper, turning a table fan towards his sweaty customer.
    The man replies: “No, Bablu bhai [brother], I am not drinking this stuff anymore.”

    When the shopkeeper asks about the reason, the young man says: “This stuff is from ‘that place’.” He does not name the “place” — but it soon becomes clear that he is referring to Israel.

    Through a conversation with the man and his friends, the shopkeeper explains that Coca-Cola is not from “that place” and that claims linking it to “that place” are misinformation.

    The shopkeeper tells them: “Listen, guys, Coke is not at all from ‘that place.’ For the past 138 years, people in 190 countries have been drinking Coke.
    They drink it in Turkey, Spain, and Dubai. Even Palestine has a Coke factory.”

    In the end, relieved Sohail asks for a bottle of Coke.

    The ad, which featured famous Bengali actors Saraf Ahmed Zibon and Shimul Sharma, drew intense criticism and threats of boycott, forcing the two of them to issue apologies.

    In an opinion piece for The Daily Star, authors Nahalay Nafisa Khan and Azmim Azran called it the “power of boycott.”

  • Coca-Cola partners with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to launchClimate Resilience Program in Pakistan

    Coca-Cola partners with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to launchClimate Resilience Program in Pakistan

    The Coca-Cola Company, in global partnership with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) inaugurated the Climate Resilience Program that aims to proactively identify risks and build resilience to climate change to enhance the resilience of water stewardship and sustainable agriculture in Punjab region.

    As a first step, WWF organizeda two-day workshop titled “Integrated Resilience Action Planning for Climate Change”on World Environment Day,bringing together the collective wisdom of key stakeholders from government entities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector.

    “Coca-Cola brings a vast distribution network and a strong sustainable agenda to our decade-long partnership with WWF. We believe we can strengthen our mutual commitments to climate resilience to create an integrated framework and solve   for complex climate change disasters,” said Aisha Sarwari, Director Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability, Coca-Cola Pakistan & Afghanistan Region.

    Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General of WWF-Pakistan, highlighted the severe impact of climate change on water resources in Pakistan. He stated, “The devastating floods of 2022 resulted in significant production losses for key crops. These extreme events are clear indications of climate change. Pakistan’s irrigation system, one of the largest globally, suffers from inefficiencies, leading to substantial water loss. In this context, it’s vital to recognize the potential role of the corporate sector in providing leadership and implementing water stewardship strategies for better water resource management. WWF-Pakistan is committed to building resilience through initiatives like these. To address water and food security challenges, it is crucial to improve water governance, transform the agri-food system, and enhance institutional capacity building.”

    Coca-Cola’s global water strategy focuses on sustainable water security through local water replenishment, advocacy for smart water policies, and responsible water use throughout operations and communities.Under Paani Project, Coca-Cola Icecek has replenished 15 ML of water annually since 2013 and supported 1 million people to access clean drinking water. 35 water filtering units were installed across Pakistan which have an individual capacity of producing over 2,000 liters of clean drinkable water per hour, each serving a community of over 20,000 people per day.ThroughTheCoca-Cola Foundation’s funding, Indus Earth Trustlaunched ‘Water For Women’ Project that has replenished 150 ML of water annually since 2017 and supported 2200 households in 40 villages in the Kohistan area, Thatta district. Furthermore, in collaboration with Mountain and Glacier Protection Organization (MGPO), 140,000 people were provided with over 5 million liters of clean water in Gilgit-Baltistan.

    Recently, WWF-Pakistan also conducted a watershed health assessment study in the Ravi Basin supported by the grant funding provided by The Coca-Cola Company, which identified key water-related issues in the area. Informed by this local assessment, the next phase of the project will develop interventions that will help develop a Watershed Management Plan. These will cater to the river’s improved water quality and quantity, better ecosystem, and infrastructure improvement and development. 

    For more information about the workshop and the integrated resilience pilot program, please visit coca-cola.com/pk

    About the Coca-Cola Company:

    The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world’s largest total beverage company, offering over 500 brands to people in more than 200 countries. At Coca-Cola, we’re serious about making positive contributions to our world. That starts with reducing sugar in our drinks and bringing new and different drinks to people everywhere. It also means continuously working to reduce our environmental impact, creating rewarding careers for our associates, and bringing economic opportunity wherever we operate. For more information, visit our digital magazine Coca-Cola Journey at:www.coca-colacompany.com.

  • Top five TV ads that Twitter users love the most

    Do you guys remember which TV ads you loved? Some of the most popular commercials have been made by companies like Ufone, Cocomo and even Shan, entertaining audiences as much as the dramas they interrupted.

    A few days ago, a Twitter user asked followers about their favorite ads while growing up.

    And Pakistani Twitter users took us down memory lane with some of the best responses.

    1 Yes, we all remember when Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan cemented their status as the number one television couple, solely with this commercial.

    2 Nobody, and I repeat nobody, did ads like Ufone did. We’re sharing two because it’s incredibly hard to pick one.

    3 No body can forget the dances that were inspired by this Coca Cola commercial alone.

    4 Or this very moving ad by Shan which reversed gender norms and showed a man cooking in the kitchen to impress his in-laws.

    5 Another ad that was a popular response among Twitter users was the Pepsi commercial in which both Wasim Akram and Imran Khan had starred.

    Just because Eid anay wali hai, we’re not signing off without sharing this masterpiece of a commercial by Ufone.

  • Punjab Food Authority raids factory producing fake beverages in Lahore

    Punjab Food Authority raids factory producing fake beverages in Lahore

    The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) raided a factory in Harbanspura, Lahore on Wednesday and seized 1,200 litres of carbonated beverage solution after learning that it manufactured counterfeit carbonated beverages using various well-known brand names.

    In addition, the authority filed a police report (FIR) accusing the factory owner of adulteration and forgery.

    According to PFA Director General Shoaib Khan Jadoon, the factory was subject to enforcement action because it was producing fake drinks devoid of formulas that could cause cancer and ulcer diseases. He claimed that the food authority team seized three cylinders, 1,200 empty bottles, 2,000 lids, and the labelling of numerous well-known beverage brands.

    He claimed that contaminated water, chemicals, loose colours, and artificial sweeteners were being used to make fake drinks.

    During a Monday raid on Lahore-Sheikhupura GT Road Lahore, the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) also halted production at a well-known restaurant due to numerous violations. PFA Director General Shoaib Khan Jadoon oversaw the raid.

    He claimed that the restaurant was subject to action by the PFA for using subpar “Desi Ghee” in the preparation of various food dishes and for maintaining the worst possible levels of hygiene.

  • Ukraine’s Andriy Yarmolenko asks Coca-Cola and Heineken to contact him after Ronaldo, Locatelli’s snub

    Ukraine’s Andriy Yarmolenko asks Coca-Cola and Heineken to contact him after Ronaldo, Locatelli’s snub

    After Ukraine’s win against North Macedonia, footballer Andriy Yarmolenko mocked Cristiano Ronaldo in front of the media, and also took a chance to promote himself, asking Coca-Cola and Heineken to contact him.

    The Ukrainian player was in a funny mood after Ukraine’s 2-1 win against North Macedonia in their UEFA Euro 2020 Group C encounter, at Bucharest’s National Arena on Thursday. At his post-match press conference, the Ukrainian star took a dig at Ronaldo in front of the media, by putting both Coca-Cola and Heineken bottles in front of him.

    Earlier this week, the Portugal captain had hit the headlines when he removed two bottles of Coca-Cola out of the camera’s sight during a press conference. The Portuguese skipper had also asked the reporters to drink water instead.

    Read more – Italian footballer, Locatelli, latest player to snub Coca-Cola

    Yarmolenko scored a goal for the second consecutive game in Euro 2020, and also assisted against North Macedonia. He also scored in his side’s earlier 3-2 defeat to Netherlands. At his post-match press conference, the West Ham attacker cheekily mocked Ronaldo and even made an attempt to promote himself for potential sponsors.

    Can I do something? I’ve seen Ronaldo putting away Coca-Cola bottles recently”, he asked the reporters.
    He added, “I’ll put Coca-Cola here. I’ll put Heineken right here up front! Guys, contact me!”
    Earlier, France midfielder Paul Pogba had also displayed a similar approach as he picked up a Heineken beer bottle and placed it behind the news conference table.
    Meanwhile, UEFA had warned that the teams could be fined if they move drinks at Euro 2020 news conferences.

  • Meme fest begins after Cristiano Ronaldo removes Coca-Cola bottles

    Meme fest begins after Cristiano Ronaldo removes Coca-Cola bottles

    After Portugal superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo removed Coca-Cola bottles placed in front of him in a press conference, the company reportedly faced a huge loss.

    Soon after Cristiano Ronaldo’s Coca-Cola snub, netizens flooded the internet with hilarious memes and jokes.

    https://twitter.com/mediiahassan/status/1405340857876746244?s=20

    Read More: Italian footballer, Locatelli, latest player to snub Coca-Cola

    After Ronaldo’s gesture, Coca-Cola was forced to release a statement saying: ‘Everyone is entitled to their drink preferences’ and that people have their ‘tastes and needs’.

    Even a Euro 2020 spokesperson addressed the chatter around the topic saying: “Players are offered water, alongside Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, on arrival at our press conferences.”

    Meanwhile, the organizer, UEFA warned that the teams could be fined if they move drinks at Euro 2020 news conferences.

  • Italian footballer, Locatelli, latest player to snub Coca-Cola

    Italian footballer, Locatelli, latest player to snub Coca-Cola

    Italian footballer Manuel Locatelli is the latest footballer to snub Coca-Cola in a press conference.

    It’s been quite an intriguing journey for Coca-Cola, one of the sponsors of Euro 2020 tournament. After being snubbed by Cristiano Ronaldo at a press conference ahead of Portugal vs Hungary match, the soft drink company was subjected to a similar rejection by Italy’s midfielder.

    Locatelli arrived at the post-match news conference after producing a Man-of-the-Match performance against Switzerland in Italy’s 3-0 win. On spotting the two Coca-Cola bottles placed in front of him, the midfielder decided to remove them from the sight. Locatelli also chuckled a little as he took the bottles out of focus, aware of the stir such an act had created when Ronaldo had done the same a couple of days ago.

    The Italian midfielder, who scored two goals for Italy in the team’s second group-stage match, then picked up a water bottle and put it right in the middle, echoing Ronaldo’s sentiments that one should be drinking water over aerated drinks, but in a subtle manner.

    Earlier, Ronaldo’s Coca-Cola snub had hurt the beverage maker’s brand value quite significantly. It was reported that soon after the Portuguese footballer’s act, Coca-Cola’s stock prices crashed and the brand ended up losing a whopping USD 4 billion from its market value. As Ronaldo urged the world to adopt a healthier lifestyle, the move had huge repercussions.

    Ronaldo and Locatelli aren’t the only ones to snub an official sponsor of the European championships. France midfielder Paul Pogba displayed a similar approach as he picked up a Heineken beer bottle and placed it behind the news conference table.

    After Ronaldo’s gesture, Coca-Cola was forced to release a statement saying: ‘Everyone is entitled to their drink preferences’ and that people have their ‘tastes and needs’.

    Even a Euro 2020 spokesperson addressed the chatter around the topic saying: “Players are offered water, alongside Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, on arrival at our press conferences.”

    Meanwhile, UEFA warned that the teams could be fined if they move drinks at Euro 2020 news conferences.

  • Cristiano Ronaldo removes Coca-Cola bottles at Euro 2020 presser, prefers water

    Cristiano Ronaldo removes Coca-Cola bottles at Euro 2020 presser, prefers water

    Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo removed Coca-Cola bottles placed in front of him in a pre-match Euro 2020 press conference on Monday before holding up a bottle of water to the room and declaring people should drink water instead.

    Read more – Eriksen collapses during Denmark’s Euro 2020 match against Finland

    Then, for dramatic effect, he rolled his eyes and said with borderline disgust, “Coca-Cola”.

    The brand is an official sponsor of the tournament, but as Ronaldo took his seat in front of reporters, he almost immediately looked uncomfortable.

    https://twitter.com/goal/status/1404716751988928515?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1404716751988928515%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-3752715264888482453.ampproject.net%2F2106030132000%2Fframe.html

    Ronaldo is not just health-obsessed but has previously revealed that it irritates him when his son drinks fizzy drinks.

    Ronaldo is one of the most supremely fit footballer even at the age of 36 years. Heading into his 50th Euro Championship, Ronaldo still remains one of the most feared strikers in the world.

    Meanwhile, Portugal begin their play in Group F on Tuesday against Hungary before facing Germany on Saturday and France next Wednesday.