Really?
Drinking Coke is something I don’t and WON’t do. Not now and not ever! It has nothing to do with their new Superbowl commercial. Drinking soda is a topic I have covered in an earlier post and will most certainly discuss again later. Today, I want to discuss the “Boycott Coke” signs I’ve seen floating around on social media.
Today, our country is divided, nearly equally, on politics, equality, and immigration. Each side believing they are the correct side and that the other side is just plain wrong. As horribly divided as our country was 50-70 years ago, I’m not sure we have improved much. So why would Coke take such a hotly charged topic and bring it to America in such a compelling “in-your-face” style? Certainly they knew there would be those who would smile and beam with pride at how dynamic the commercial was and how beautiful our patriotic song sounded in so many different languages. Certainly they also knew there would be those who would stare at the TV, jaw hanging open in stunned amazement that our beautiful patriotic song was butchered because it wasn’t in English. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have heard both sides of this debate and it isn’t pretty.
Years ago, Coca-Cola made a huge hit when they released the commercial I have attached to the blog post. Anyone over 50 most certainly can sing every word of the song, “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing”. We loved the song regardless if we like Coke. The commercial showed the diversity of nationalities which make us America! And, yes, it was all harmonized in English. Every time I think of how I want the world to really be – I hear that song and smile. I would love to see every human look at another and realize that skin color or country of origin doesn’t matter. I’d love for every one of us to reach out to another and offer peace and compassion. Ahhh… just imagine….
As I re-visit their most recent commercial and compare it to the 1971 version posted above… I am struck by several points. The images in the 2014 commercial are absolutely beautiful. Turn the volume down and just look at the images. You smile. The images are what America is all about. Happy people. People helping people. Our countryside. Our people! It’s beautiful. I watched the video of the new commercial with the song from the 1971 version and I had tears of happy!
Regardless of your like or dislike of the commercial itself, I will certainly give credit to the marketing team at Coca-Cola for stepping out of the politically correct comfort zone and offering up an attempt to bring America together – just as they did in 1971. But mostly, I wonder…. how would the commercial have been received if the song was done in English – with accents and all? Would it have made a difference?
What do you think about the commercial and the message Coke was sending?
