Coca‑Cola Marks Its Anniversary With 125 Years Thank You Fund

Dublin, May 8th, 2011 – Coca‑Cola, one of the world's most iconic brands, today celebrates its 125th Anniversary in Ireland and across the globe. On this day, 125 years ago, the first Coca‑Cola was sold in Atlanta, Georgia. To mark this milestone in Ireland, and to thank its loyal Irish consumers, Coca‑Cola is today launching the Coca‑Cola 125 Years Thank You Fund, a Fund that will grant €125,000 to non-profit community, voluntary and charitable organisations across the island of Ireland.

The 'Coca‑Cola 125 Years Thank You Fund', which has been developed and will be operated in partnership with The Wheel and the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA), is being set up to thank consumers for their continued loyalty over the years. The Fund has been designed to support projects and initiatives that are having a positive impact on the quality of life of communities on the island of Ireland. A total of 15 grants will be made – 10 of €10,000 and five of €5,000.

Speaking today Aedemar Howlett, Country Manager Coca‑Cola Ireland, said: "Our 125th anniversary is a great day for Coca‑Cola and we’re delighted to celebrate this milestone in Ireland with the launch of the 'Coca‑Cola 125 Years Thank You Fund'. Coke would not be where it is today without the loyal support of our consumers over many years, and we feel that giving a little something back to their communities is an appropriate way to thank them."

Commenting on the Coca‑Cola 125 Years Thank You Fund Deirdre Galvey, CEO, The Wheel said: "It is wonderful to see an iconic brand like Coke choose to celebrate its anniversary through the establishment of a community fund. The approach that Coca‑Cola is taking means that its anniversary celebrations will have a long-term sustainable impact on communities throughout the country. We are delighted to be associated with this initiative."

"To apply to the 'Coca‑Cola 125 Years Thank-You Fund' all you have to do is log onto www.coca-cola.ie to complete an online application form. Applications can be submitted online only from today, May 8th, 2011, up until midnight on the 30th of June 2011. After the closing date, Coca‑Cola in partnership with The Wheel and the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action NICVA (www.nicva.org) will create a shortlist of 45 which will be published on the website on September 1st."

The shortlist will then be open to the public to vote. The public vote will be live from September 1st – September 30th, 2011. The public vote will account for 50 per cent of the total vote with the judging panel awarding the remaining 50 per cent of votes available. The 15 winners of the grants will be announced during October 2011.

The €125,000 will be granted to non-profit community, voluntary and charitable organisations throughout the island of Ireland to help support initiatives focused on the following areas; Social and Education Programmes aimed at Youth, Healthy and Active Lifestyles, and Environmental Leadership.

In addition to launching the Fund a number of other celebratory activities will take place in Ireland over the coming weeks. These include:

• A new TV advertising campaign has been launched which features the song ‘I’d like to teach the world to sing’, which was first imagined in Shannon airport on a forced stopover as a Coca‑Cola creative director saw the frustrations of the grounded passengers dissipate as they shared stories over Coca‑Cola’s in the airport lounge.
• A huge outdoor and TV campaign which 60% of adults will see at least 4 times a day. These will feature classic images from vintage Coca‑Cola advertisements.
• An online and digital campaign featuring a viral retro poster maker which allows fans to upload a picture of themselves to create their very own classic Coca‑Cola advertisement.
• To say thank you, 30,000 samples of Coca‑Cola will be given out between now and May 8th in Galway, Limerick, Cork, Derry, Belfast and Dublin.
• A special item to mark the 125th year of Coca‑Cola. The 'Coca‑Cola Heritage Bottle' will be launched next week and will be a must-have for the many Coca‑Cola memorabilia collectors.

Aedemar Howlett, Country Manager Coca‑Cola Ireland, added: "We are calling on all eligible organisations to apply online through our website, coca-cola.ie, and to outline to us the kinds of projects that they would like to roll out with this funding. Later this summer there will be an opportunity for the public to vote for their favourite project so I would encourage everyone to keep an eye on the website in the weeks ahead. The Coca‑Cola 125 Years Thank You Fund is our way of giving a little something back to the communities across the island of Ireland."

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For further information please contact:
Suzanne Sullivan / Angie Kinane
Q4 Public Relations
01 475 1444 / 086 3797291 / 087 8126249

Notes for Editors

The Coca‑Cola Story
The Coca‑Cola story began on 8 May 1886 when a pharmacist named Dr. John Pemberton carried a jug of Coca‑Cola syrup to Jacobs' Pharmacy in downtown Atlanta, where it was mixed with carbonated water and sold for five cents a glass. To this day, the secret formula remains a closely guarded secret within the vaults of Atlanta. From these humble beginnings in the Deep South 125 years ago, the brand remains as relevant today as it was then - Coca‑Cola has grown into one of the world’s most recognisable brands, loved by consumers and celebrities alike.

Fun Facts about Coca‑Cola
1. If all of Coca‑Cola ever produced was put into 8-ounce contour bottles:

• There would be more than six trillion bottles, which stacked end-to-end, would reach 468 miles high - 85 times taller than Mount Everest
• The six trillion bottles roughly equals 966 bottles - or more than 56 gallons of Coca‑Cola - for every person in the world

2. The Coca‑Cola contour bottle is so distinctive that it can be recognised in the dark

3. If all the Coca‑Cola bottles in the world were laid end to end they would reach the moon and back more than 1,677 times

4. Only a few people know the secret formula for Coca‑Cola. Concentrate for Coca‑Cola is made in a number of centralised production facilities, and is exported to all countries in the world that bottle Coca‑Cola

5. Coca‑Cola is the most recognised trademark, recognised by 94% of the world's population and is the most widely recognised word after 'OK'.

The Coca‑Cola Company

Coca‑Cola is a registered trademark of The Coca‑Cola Company.

The Coca‑Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands.

Along with Coca‑Cola, recognised as the world’s most valuable brand, the Company’s portfolio includes 12 other billion dollar brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca‑Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply and Georgia. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees.

Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company’s beverages at a rate of 1.7 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate.

For more information about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com