All season long, Coke Zero has recognized college football fans and the
unbridled passion they have for their favorite sport. In a new ad
debuting today, Coke Zero pays tribute to every fan’s ultimate dream – a
national college football title – and the driving force behind the
victorious team, the University of Alabama’s Head Coach, Nick Saban.
The new commercial is narrated by Terry Saban, wife of Nick Saban. It
opens and closes with a voiceover from Tom Roberts, the host of the
University of Alabama’s game-day broadcasts. In the spot, Terry Saban
recounts a series of things people said her husband couldn’t do, all of
which he achieved. From “marrying the head majorette from the rival high
school” to “winning three titles in four years,” Coach Saban has never
backed down from a challenge.
“Throughout his life and career, Coach Saban has shown what’s possible.
Coke Zero, which made it possible to ‘Enjoy Everything’ by combining
Real Coke Taste and Zero Calories, salutes that spirit,” said Andy
McMillan, Vice President, Coca-Cola Trademark, Coca-Cola North America.
“We congratulate Coach Saban and the University of Alabama on this
historic 15th championship win and celebrate alongside the
legions of Crimson Tide fans.”
The Coca-Cola Company has a long relationship with the University of
Alabama that dates back more than 70 years. From creating customized
programs designed to engage Crimson Tide fans, to offering scholarships
to first generation college students through The Coca-Cola Foundation,
Coca-Cola has a proud tradition of partnership with the University.
Coca-Cola has also partnered with Nick Saban since he joined Alabama in
2007. Coach Saban has been part of a variety of local marketing
activities across the state and The Coca-Cola Company actively supports
his Nick’s Kids Foundation.
Coach Saban’s relationship with Coca-Cola goes way back, too. His father
owned a service station in West Virginia and when Coach Saban was a
young boy, he helped keep the Coca-Cola cooler stocked with ice-cold
Coca-Cola. When Coach Saban embarked on his coaching career in the early
‘70s in Ohio, he drove a Coca-Cola route truck to make extra income.
This job is alluded to in the ad when images of vintage Coca-Cola
delivery trucks are shown and Terry Saban notes, “they said he couldn’t
make ends meet as a graduate assistant coach.” Today Coach Saban enjoys
his favorite beverage, Coke Zero, wherever it’s delivered locally in
Tuscaloosa.
The ad premieres on ESPN and will also air on local stations across the
state of Alabama. Online, the spot will be posted on YouTube,
CokeZero.com and MyCokeRewards.com, with links across a variety of
digital and social media, including Facebook, Twitter, and Alabama fan
websites. Locally, Coke Zero will salute the University of Alabama’s
championship achievement with commemorative packaging and other
celebration activities and communications.
“Coke Zero has been celebrating college football all season long and
enhancing the everyday football experience for fans,” said McMillan.
“This new Coke Zero ad saluting Coach Saban is a great way to wrap up
the season and remind people everywhere why their passion for the sport
– and ours -- never wanes.”
The new commercial was created by Atlanta-based marketing agency, MELT,
which helps develop sports and college programs for Coke Zero.
The new Coke Zero ad can be viewed here: http://CokeURL.com/33qg
About 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. Led by Coca-Cola, the world's most valuable brand, our Company's
portfolio features 15 billion-dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta,
Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply,
Georgia and Del Valle. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling
beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks. Through
the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than
200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of 1.8 billion servings a
day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities,
our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental
footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work
environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of
the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners,
we rank among the world's top 10 private employers with more than
700,000 system associates. For more information, visit Coca-Cola Journey
at www.coca-colacompany.com,
follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo
or check out our blog, Coca-Cola Unbottled, at www.coca-colablog.com.
