1. The Humble Beginning (1886–1890s)
Invented by Accident: Pharmacist Dr. John Pemberton in Atlanta, Georgia, created a syrup for headaches mixed with soda water.
First Glass Sold (1886): At Jacob’s Pharmacy for 5 cents a glass—only 9 servings per day initially.
Asa Candler’s Takeover (1891): Bought the recipe for $2,300, aggressively marketed it as a "delicious and refreshing" drink.
2. Bottling & Branding (1900s–1920s)
Bottling Franchise (1899): Candler sold bottling rights for just $1 (lifetime contract)—a costly mistake, but it fueled global expansion.
Iconic Contour Bottle (1915): Designed to be recognizable even in the dark—now one of the most famous shapes in the world.
Survived Prohibition (1920s): Marketed as a "temperance drink" while competitors floundered.
3. Global Domination (1930s–1970s)
Santa Claus Campaign (1931): Coca-Cola’s ads created the modern red-suited Santa (previously depicted in green or blue).
WWII Hero (1940s): Shipped Coke to soldiers for 5 cents a bottle, embedding it in American culture.
"It’s the Real Thing" (1969): First major brand to unify global advertising under one slogan.
4. New Coke Disaster & Comeback (1980s–1990s)
Biggest Blunder (1985): Changed the 99-year-old formula to "New Coke"—public outrage forced a return in 79 days.
Brand Loyalty Triumph: Reintroduced as "Coca-Cola Classic," sales surged past Pepsi.
5. Modern Era (2000s–Present)
Product Diversification: Acquired Smartwater, Vitaminwater, Costa Coffee—but Coke remains the cash cow.
Sustainability Push: Pledged to recycle every bottle by 2030 and reduce sugar in drinks.
Global Reach: Sold in 200+ countries, 1.9 billion servings daily.
Coca-Cola’s Success Secrets
✔ Universal Branding: Same logo since 1887, same red color—94% of the world recognizes it.
✔ Emotional Marketing: Tied to happiness, nostalgia (e.g., "I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke" 1971 ad).
✔ Distribution Mastery: "Within an arm’s reach of desire" strategy—sold everywhere from fancy hotels to remote villages.
Fun Fact: The recipe is kept in a high-security vault in Atlanta. Only 2 executives know the full formula!
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