Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola is the trademarked name (registered 1893) for a popular soft drink sold in stores, restaurants and vending machines around the world. It is also popularly known as Coke, which the company also claims as a trademark. Coca-Cola also registered a trademark on the distinctive bottle shape in 1960. The company's international headquarters are in Atlanta, Georgia. Coca-Cola Company is publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KO.

Overview

Coca-Cola's name derived from the coca leaves and kola fruits used as flavoring. The exact Coca-Cola Formula is a legendary trade secret. Reportedly a copy of the formula is held in a safe in Atlanta with only two corporate officers having access.

Coke bottle

The distinctive "cola" flavor comes mostly from the mix of sugar, and of the essential oils of orange, lemon and vanilla. The other ingredients change the flavor only very slightly.

In the United States, however, Coca-Cola is now sweetened with corn syrup, causing the flavor to be blunted. Coca-Cola with sugar is still available in Canada, Mexico, Europe, and in certain American markets during Passover.

In the original formula, the natural cocaine content of the coca leaves, and caffeine from kola nuts, provided the drink's stimulant effect. Shortly after the turn of the century (1929), cocaine was removed from the coca leaves by processing (leaving a physiologically insignificant trace), and the amount of caffeine was reduced. The company's web site states on this issue that "Coca-Cola does not contain cocaine or any other harmful substance, and cocaine has never been an added ingredient for Coca-Cola". It should be noted that such a statement is entirely consistent with the presence of cocaine in the coca leaves in the original formulation, though it could be considered misleading. [1] [2]

The coca-leaf processing is done at a licensed coca-leaf processing plant in New York City (see Federal Register Doc. 04-5476). While this is probably the largest manufacturer, other chemical companies have obtained licenses for the import of coca leaves as well.

Coca-Cola Corporation is the world's largest customer of natural vanilla extract. When New Coke was introduced in 1985, the economy of Madagascar crashed, and only recovered after New Coke flopped. The reason is that New Coke uses vanillin, a less-expensive synthetic substitute, and purchases of vanilla more than halved during this period.

The company owned Columbia Pictures from 1982 to 1989.

Coca-Cola is the market leader for soft drinks in all countries of the world, except Scotland, where the locally produced Irn Bru is more popular, and Quebec, Canada, where Pepsi is the market leader.

History

Coca-Cola was formulated by John S. Pemberton, originally as a cocawine called Pemberton's French Wine Coca, and originally sold as a patent medicine for five cents a glass at soda fountains, which were popular in America due to a contemporary view that soda water was good for the health. The first sales were at Jacob's Pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 8th, 1886, and for the first eight months, only thirteen drinks per day were sold. Pemberton then ran the first advertisement for the beverage on May 29 of the same year in the Atlanta Journal. Asa Griggs Candler bought out Pemberton and his partners in 1887 for a reported $2,300. He then began the aggressive marketing of the product.

Coca-Cola was sold in bottles for the first time starting on March 12, 1894 and cans of Coke first appeared in 1955.

The drink and its advertising campaigns have had significant impact on American culture. The company is frequently credited for "inventing" the modern image of Santa Claus as an old man in red-white garments; however, while the company did in fact promote this image starting in the 1930s in its winter advertising campaigns, it was already common before that time [3]. In the 1970s, a song from a Coca-Cola commercial called "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" became a popular hit single, but did little to increase sales of the soft drink.

File:Newcoke.jpg

Advertisement for New Coke

In the 1980s, Coca-Cola attempted to change the formula of the drink with a highly publicized effort. Some authorities believe that New Coke was invented specifically to cope with a commercial competitor, Pepsi. Blind taste tests indicated that people preferred the taste of Pepsi to Coke. Pepsi has more lemon oil, less orange oil, and uses vanillin rather than vanilla. New Coke was reformulated to emulate Pepsi. In blind taste tests, most people favored New Coke to Coke, as well.

The commercial failure of New Coke was therefore a grievous surprise to the management of Coca-Cola Corporation. Quite possibly, if they had made the change either secretly, or gradually, nobody would have noticed and their brand loyalty would have been unchanged. Coca-Cola management was unprepared, however, for the nostalgic feelings the American public held for the company.

The new Coca-Cola formula subsequently caused a public backlash. Gay Mullins, from Seattle, WA, USA, founded the Old Coke Drinkers of America and attempted to sue the company, and make the formula of old coke public domain. This and other events caused the company to return to the old formula under the name Coca-Cola Classic on July 10, 1985. The company was later suspected of playing this move as an elaborate charade to both introduce a new product and revive interest in the original. The company president responded to the accusation with "We are not that stupid, or that smart."

Meanwhile, the market share for the new product dwindled to only 3% by 1986. The company renamed the product "Coke II" in 1990, but sales falloff caused a severe cutback in distribution. By 1998 it was only sold in a few places in the midwestern U.S.

During the 1990s, Pepsi-Cola began running television advertisements showing people doing blind taste tests in which they preferred their product over Coke. Coca-Cola ran ads to combat Pepsi's ads in an incident sometimes referred to as the cola wars. Thereafter, Coca-Cola regained its leadership in the market.

File:Diet Coke.jpg

Diet Coke

Today the drink is manufactured as a syrup and then supplied to various franchises that reconstitute, bottle and distribute it. The company produces many other soft drinks, including other varieties of Coca-Cola such as Diet Coke (which uses aspartame, a synthetic phenylalanine-containing sweetener, in order to reduce the sugar content of the drink), Cherry Coke, Diet Cherry Coke, Vanilla Coke, Diet Vanilla Coke, and the recent Coke with Lemon and Diet Coke with Lemon.

The Coca-Cola Corporation also produces a number of other soft drinks including Fanta, Sprite, Pibb, Mello Yello, and the bottled waters Dasani and Bonaqua. Coca-Cola also owns the Minute Maid brand of fruit juices.

Coca-Cola's greatest rival is Pepsi-Cola. Mecca-Cola has been marketed as a pro-Palestinian alternative.

In 2004, Coca-Cola announced its intentions to develop and sell a low-carbohydrate alternative to Coke Classic; dubbed C2 Cola. With less than half of the calories and carbohydrates of standard sodas, it is unknown if this product will replace Diet Coke. C2 goes on sale June 11 2004.

Health-related and environmental accusations against Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola was banned from import in India in 1970 for having refused to release the list of its ingredients. In 1993, the ban was lifted, with Pepsi arriving on the market shortly afterwards. One study led by the Center for Science and the Environment (CSE), an independent laboratory in New Delhi, found that the sodas contained residues of dangerous pesticides, with one dose 36 times greater than the European standard for Pepsi, and 30 times greater for Coca-Cola. The presence of these products could provoke cancers, negatively affect the nervous and immune systems, and cause birth defects. No law bans the presence of pesticides in drinks in India.

In the state of Kerala, one agency reported that it found 201.8 milligrams of cadmium per kilogram in the mud coming from the factory, which is offered as fertilizer to farmers. This dose, four times greater than normal doses, could lead to cancer.

In response to the news, numerous Indians burned bottles of these two brands of soda in the streets. The Indian government asked for a comparable study of soda bottles destined for markets in the United States.

On August 6, 2003, India asked for the withdrawal from circulation of Coca-Cola and Pepsi products.

Notable Employees of Coca-Cola

Asa Candler (Founder of company and major donor to Emory University)
Rick Bronson (fired)
Vicente Fox (deliverer and eventually ran Latin American operations)
Max Keith (main bottler under the Third Reich)

Comprehensive list of Coca-Cola brands worldwide

A: A&W, Accent, Ades, Alhambra, Alive, Almdudler, Ambasa, American, Andifrut, Appletiser, Aquactive, Aquana, Aquapure, Aquarius, Aqvaris, Arwa, Aybal-Kin
B: Bacardi Mixers, Barq's, Beat, Belté, Beverly, Bibo, Bimbo, Bimbo Break, Bingooo, Bistrone, Bjare, BlackFire, Boco, Bom Bit Maesil, Bonaqua/Qa, BPM, Bright And Early, Bubbly, Burn,
C: Caffeine Free Barq's, Caffeine Free Coca-Cola, Caffeine Free Coke II, Caffeine Free Diet Coke/Coca-Cola light, Cal King, Calypso, Cannings, Cappy, Carvers, Chaho, Charrua, Chaudfontaine, Cheers, Cherry Coke, Chinotto, Chinotto light, Chippewa, Chivalry, Ciel, Citra, Club, Coca-Cola, Cocoteen, Coke II, Cresta, Cristal, Crush, Crystal, Cumberland Gap
D: DANNON, DASANI, Delaware Punch, DESCA, Disney Hundred Acre Wood, Disney Mickey's Adventure, Disney Winnie The Pooh, Disney Xtreme Cooler, Dorna, Drim, Dr Pepper
E: E2, Earth & Sky, Eight O'Clock, Escuis, Escuis light, Eva Water, Evian
F: Fanta, Finley, Fioravanti, Five Alive, Flavor Rage, Floatz, Fontana, Fraser & Neave, Freezits, Fresca, Frescolita, Freskyta, Fresquinha, Frestea, Frisco, Frucci, Frugos, Frugos Fresh, Fruitia, Fruitlabo, Fruitopia, Freeze, Fruktime, Frutina, Frutonic
G: Genki No Moto, Georgia, Georgia Club, Georgia Gold, Gini, Gold Spot, Golden Crush, Grapette, Guarana Jesus
H: H2OK, Happy Valley, Haru no Mint Shukan, Hawai, Hi-C, Hi Spot, Hit, Horizon, Huang
I: Ice Dew, Ice Mountain, Ikon, INCA KOLA, Izvorul Alb
J: Jaz Cola, Jet Tonic, Jinmeile, Jolly Juice, Joy, Jozuni Yasai, Jurassic Well, Just Juice, Juta
K: Kapo, Kapo Axion, Kapo Super Power, Keri, Kia Ora, Kidsfruitz, Kilimanjaro, Kin, Kin light, Kinley, Kiwi Blue, KMX, Kochakaden, Koumisoukai, Krest, Kuat, Kuat light, Kuli
L: Leed, Lift, Lilt, Limca, Limonade, Linnuse, Love Body, Maaza, Mad River, Magnolia, Magnolia Funch, Magnolia Zip, Malvern, Manzana Mia, Mare Rosso, Marocha, Master Chill, Master Pour, Mazoe, Meijin, Mello, Mello Yello, Mer, Mezzo Mix, Miami, Mickey Mouse, Migoro-Nomigoro, Milo, Minaqua, Minute Maid, Minute Maid Juice To Go, Minute Maid Soft Drink, Mireille, Mone, Monsoon, Mori No Mizudayori, Mr. Pibb, Multivita
N: Nagomi, Nalu, Namthip, Nativa, Naturaqua, Nature's Own, Nectar Andina, Nectarin, Nestea, Nestea COOL, Nevada, Neverfail, Nordic Mist, Northern Neck, Nusta
O: Oasis, Odwalla, Old Colony, Orchy, Oyu, Paani, Pacific Orchard, Pampa, Pams, Parle, Peats Ridge Springs, Pepe Rico, Pibb Xtra, Piko, Pilskalna, Planet Java, Play, Pocarrot, Pocket Dr., Poiana Negri, Poms, Ponkana, Pop Cola, Portello, POWERADE, POWERADE light, Pulp Ananas, Pump
Q: Qoo, Quatro, Quwat Jabal, Ramblin' Root Beer, Real Gold, Red Flash, Red Lion, Refresh Tea, Rimzim, Rio Gold, Ripe N Ready, Risco, Riwa, Robinson Brothers, Roses, Royal Tru
S: Safaa, Safety First, Safia, Samantha, Samurai, Santiba, Santolin, Sarsi, Saryusaisai, Scorpion, Seagrams, Seasons, Seltz, Sensation, Sensun, Senzao, Shichifukuzen, Shock, Signature, Sim, Simba, Simply Apple, Simply Orange, Sintonia, Slap, Smart, Sobo, Sodafruit Caprice Oranges, Sokenbicha, Solo, Sonfil, Soonsoo 100, Sparkle, Sparkletts, Sparletta, Sparletta Iron Brew, Splash, Splice, Sport Cola, Sport Plus, Spring Water, Sprite, Sprite Ice, Sprite Ice Cube, Sprite ReMix, Sprite Light, Sprite Zero, Spur, Squirt, Stoney Ginger Beer, Sun Valley, Sundrop, Sunfill, Sunfilled & Fruit Tree, Sunkist, Supa, Superkools, Superpac, Surge, Swerve
T: TaB, TaB X-Tra, Tahitian Treat, Tai, Tarumi, Tavern, The Tea for Dining, Tea World Collection, Ten Ren, Thextons, Thums Up, Tian Tey, Tian Yu Di, Tiky, Top, Toppur, Tops, Tropical, Tuborg Squash, Turkuaz
U: Urge
V: Valpre, Valser, Vanilla Coke, Vegitabeta, Vica, Vita, Vital, Vital O, Vitingo, Viva
W: Water Salad, Wilkin's Distilled Water, Wink, Winnie The Pooh Junior Juice
Y: Yang Guang, Yang Guang Juicy T, Youki, Yumi

Coca-Cola slogans

1886 - Drink Coca-Cola.
1900 - Deliciously refreshing.
1900 - For headache and exhaustion, drink Coca-Cola.
1904 - Delicious and refreshing.
1904 - Coca-Cola ... satisfies.
1905 - Coca-Cola revives and sustains.
1905 - Wherever you go ... you will find Coca-Cola.
1906 - The drink of quality.
1906 - The great national temperance beverage.
1907 - Coca-Cola is full of vim, vigor and go - is a snappy drink.
1908 - Get the genuine.
1909 - Whenever you see an arrow, think of Coca-Cola.
1911 - Enjoy a glass of liquid laughter.
1917 - Three million a day.
1920 - Coca-Cola ... good things from 9 chimes poured into a single glass.
1922 - Thirst knows no season.
1923 - Enjoy thirst.
1925 - It has the charm of purity.
1925 - With a drink so good ... 'tis folly to be thirsty.
1925 - Six million a day.
1926 - Coca-Cola is the shortest distance between thirst and refreshment.
1927 - It had to be good to get where it is.
1927 - Around the corner from anywhere.
1927 - At the little red sign.
1928 - Coca-Cola ... pure drink of natural flavors.
1929 - The best served drink in the world.
1929 - The pause that refreshes.
1932 - Ice-cold sunshine.
1932 - Thirst come, thirst served.
1933 - Bounce back to normal.
1933 - Don't wear a tired, thirsty face.
1935 - Coca-Cola ... the pause that brings friends together.
1937 - America's favorite moment.
1938 - The best friend thirst ever had.
1938 - Thirst asks nothing more.
1939 - Coca-Cola goes along.
1939 - Coca-Cola has the taste thirst goes for.
1939 - Whoever you are, whatever you do, wherever you may be, when you think of refreshment, think of icecold Coca-Cola.
1940 - Within easy reach of your thirst.
1940 - America's year round answer to thirst.
1941 - Work refreshed.
1941 - Coca-Cola belongs.
1942 - The only thing like Coca-Cola is Coca-Cola itself.
1942 - Coca-Cola has that extra something.
1942 - The best is always the better buy.
1942 - It's the real thing.
1943 - Universal symbol of the American way of life ... Coca-Cola.
1943 - With a taste all its own.
1945 - The happy symbol of a friendly way of life.
1945 - Why grow thirsty?
1946 - The world's friendliest club ... admission 5¢.
1946 - Yes.
1947 - Coca-Cola ... continuous quality.
1947 - Continuous quality is quality you trust.
1947 - The quality of Coca-Cola is a friendly quality you can always trust.
1948 - Where there's Coke there's hospitality.
1949 - Coca-Cola ... along the highway to anywhere.
1950 - Thirst, too, seeks quality.
1951 - For home and hospitality.
1951 - You taste its quality.
1952 - What you want is a Coke.
1952 - Coke follows thirst everywhere.
1953 - Drive safely ... Drive refreshed.
1953 - Midsummer magic.
1955 - Bright and bracing as sunshine.
1956 - Coca-Cola ... makes good things taste better.
1956 - The friendliest drink on earth.
1956 - Gives a bright little life.
1956 - Coca-Cola puts you at your sparkling best.
1957 - Sign of good taste.
1958 - The cold, crisp taste of Coke.
1959 - Cheerful life of Coke.
1959 - Relax refreshed with ice-cold Coca-Cola.
1959 - Be really refreshed.
1959 - The cold, crisp taste that so deeply satisfies.
1961 - Coca-Cola refreshed you best.
1963 - The big bold taste that's always just right.
1963 - Things go better with Coke.
1963 - Go better refreshed.
1964 - Coca-Cola gives that special zing ... refreshed best.
1965 - Enjoy Coca-Cola.
1965 - For extra fun - take more than one! Take an extra carton of Coke!
1966 - Coca-Cola has the taste you never get tired of.
1968 - Tells your thirsty to go fly a kite.
1968 - Wave alter wave - drink after drink.
1968 - For twice the convenience, bring home two cartons of Coke.
1968 - It's twice time.
1970 - It's the real thing.
1971 - I'd like to buy the world a Coke.
1972 - Coke ... goes with the good times.
1975 - Look up America, see what we've got.
1976 - Coke adds life.
1980 - Have a Coke and a smile.
1982 - Coke is it.
1985 - We've got a taste for you (new Coke). America's real choice (Coca-Cola Classic).
1986 - Catch the Wave (new Coke). Red, white and you (Coca-Cola Classic).
1988 - Can't beat the feeling (Coca-Cola Classic).
1989 - Can't beat the real thing (Coca-Cola Classic).
1991 - Can't beat the real thing (Coca-Cola Classic).
1992 - Can't beat the real thing.
1993 - Always. Coca-Cola.
1999 - Enjoy
2001 - Life tastes Good
2003 - Coke is Real

The name Coca-Cola in China was first rendered as Ke-kou-ke-la. Unfortunately, the company did not discover until after thousands of signs had been printed that the phrase meant "bite the wax tadpole" or "female horse stuffed with wax", depending on the dialect. It then researched 40,000 Chinese characters and found a close phonetic equivalent, ko-kou-ko-le, which can be loosely translated as "happiness in the mouth". [4]

Bibliography

Pendergrast, Mark: For God, Country, and Coca Cola: The Definitive History of the Great American Soft Drink and the Company That Makes It. New York: Basic Books, 2000 (second edition; ISBN 0465054684).

External links