Tag: coke

  • 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.”

  • 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.

  • ‘Ao Ehad Karain’: Coke Studio releases ‘message of hope’ for Pakistan Day

    ‘Ao Ehad Karain’: Coke Studio releases ‘message of hope’ for Pakistan Day

    To commemorate Pakistan Resolution Day, Coke Studio has released a new track Ao Ehad Karain, which presents a concept of peace, hope and celebrates the young and emerging talent of the country.

    The track has been produced by Ali Hamza and features a diverse set of musicians from different genres including the Army Brass Band of Pakistan to reinvent the legendary national songs of Pakistan.

    “It’s a grand multi-city, multi-producer, 75 artists on board kind of a production and it’s been a 4-month long labour of love putting it together,” says Hamza.

    According to a press release, the song has been “envisioned in collaboration with Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) and begins on an introspective note with Wattan ki Mitti, Gawah Rehna in the voices of Saadat Shafqat, son of legendary singer Shafqat Amanat Ali, and Zaw Ali, daughter of iconic singer Sajjad Ali.”

    These powerful verses are followed by a unique recitation of Sir Allama Iqbal’s poetry done by the veteran artist, Ali Hamza, who provides gravitas to the narration.

    Talking about the track Hamza, in a statement, said: “Ao Ehad Karain is a journey through time and emotion. It starts introspectively, looking back in time to when the Pakistan Resolution was passed on March 23, 1940.”

    “It then moves through ups and downs, like history has and life does: questions, conflicts, resolutions, awakening, rejuvenation and then celebrates a new beginning at the turn of a new decade – 2021,” adds the singer.

    Following Hamza’s recitation, the track moves to the Young Stunners, who give yet another out-of-the-box performance in the words of Sir Allama Iqbal. The Young Stunners recently also received praise for their performance in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) anthem Groove Mera.

    Another unique feature in the track is the introduction of the iconic Army Brass Band, which has been the flag bearer of a long-standing tradition in Pakistani culture.

    “They have energized this nation for decades with reverberating performances of national songs of Pakistan,” says the press release while talking about the band.

    Meanwhile, the choir is provided by Farwa Batool, Rida Batool, Nabiha Saleem, and Zahab Hussain. Ao Ehad Karain also features Shamu Bai & Vishnu – sibling duo from Sindh and Kashif Din, a young singer from Gilgit-Baltistan.

    Listen to it here:

  • Coke’s Ad gets banned by PEMRA

    Coke’s Ad gets banned by PEMRA

    Extremism is no joke. Pakistan has suffered for the larger part of its history because of extremists. It’s something every single Pakistani is aware of and it’s nothing new. But using it as a casual term in a soft drink advertisement is.

    On July 28, after the Ad was released in a big social media and television campaign, singer and politician Jawad Ahmad tweeted: “The new #Coke Ad is an ugly interpretation of the word ‘Extremism’. It shows how low can marketing of a brand stoop to, just to make more money.

    It is dumb & immature of marketing team of Coke to use such a highly socially sensitive word so non-seriously just to sell their bottles.”

    Pakistan’s Electronic Media Regulatory Authority also found the advertisement to be problematic and has ordered that the Ad not be run on television or the radio until they review it. The Authority stated in their notice that they had gotten many complaints against the Ad and that, “the content of the advertisement is not only offensive but also tantamount to demeaning Pakistanis, as a nation.”

    PEMRA’s notice available on @ReportPEMRA ‘s twitter feed
    PEMRA’s notice available on @ReportPEMRA ‘s twitter feed

    It’s not clear what clause PEMRA has used to ban the Ad. The Authority will make it clear when the Ad is reviewed and the controversial content is omitted (which might be difficult in this case). Until then, judge for yourself.

    Watch the Ad here:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIuU_kKWYZs