History of Coca-Cola in Timeline
"Coca-Cola, or Coke, is a globally recognized carbonated soft drink manufactured by the Coca-Cola Company. With a vast market reach spanning over 200 countries, Coca-Cola products have become a ubiquitous part of modern consumption. The brand's immense popularity is evident in its staggering daily consumption figures, exceeding 1.8 billion servings. This success has solidified Coca-Cola's position as a corporate giant, ranking 87th on the Fortune 500 list in 2018. Furthermore, its global brand value was ranked sixth in 2020 by Interbrand, highlighting its enduring appeal and influence."
1900: Coca-Cola Sold Internationally
Coca-Cola's international presence expanded in the early 1900s, with the drink being sold outside the US. The creation of the Cuba Libre (Coca-Cola mixed with rum) in Havana shortly after the Spanish-American War of 1898 marked an early example of the drink's global reach.
1903: Cocaine Removed from Coca-Cola
Cocaine, once present in Coca-Cola in small amounts, was removed from the formula in 1903, reflecting evolving societal norms and regulations regarding the drug.
1904: Coca-Cola Begins Using "Spent" Coca Leaves
Starting in 1904, Coca-Cola transitioned to using "spent" coca leaves, which are the remnants of the cocaine extraction process, containing only trace amounts of the drug.
1910: Destruction of early Coca-Cola records
In 1910, Asa Candler destroyed the earliest records of the "Coca-Cola Company" during a move to new offices.
1911: US Government Sues Coca-Cola Over Caffeine Content
In 1911, the US government filed a lawsuit against Coca-Cola, seeking to force the company to remove caffeine from its formula. The lawsuit, United States v. Forty Barrels and Twenty Kegs of Coca-Cola, brought attention to the caffeine levels in the beverage.
1911: US Government Seizes Coca-Cola Syrup
In 1911, the US government took action against the Coca-Cola Company, seizing barrels and kegs of Coca-Cola syrup in Chattanooga, Tennessee. They claimed that the caffeine content in the drink posed health risks, ultimately leading to changes in food safety regulations.
1912: US Pure Food and Drug Act Amended to Include Caffeine
The US Pure Food and Drug Act was amended in 1912 to include caffeine on the list of "habit-forming" and "deleterious" substances that required labeling on products, reflecting growing concern about the stimulant.
1913: Coca-Cola Wins Appeal in Caffeine Case
Coca-Cola successfully appealed the caffeine content lawsuit in the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati in 1913, but the case was later appealed again to the Supreme Court.
1914: Forgery claims in Coca-Cola's early history
In 1914, Margaret Dozier claimed that her signature on the 1888 Coca-Cola Company bill of sale had been forged. Subsequent analysis also indicated John Pemberton's signature was likely forged.
1914: Longest running Coca-Cola soda fountain
In 1914, Atlanta's Fleeman's Pharmacy opened, becoming the longest-running commercial Coca-Cola soda fountain until its closure in 1995.
November 1915: Coca-Cola Patents the Contour Bottle Design
The design patent for the iconic contour bottle was issued in November 1915, marking a significant step in Coca-Cola's branding history.
1915: Hobble-skirt bottle design
In 1915, Coca-Cola introduced the hobble-skirt bottle design, which became widely recognized.
1915: Coca-Cola Launches Design Competition for a Distinctive Bottle
To set its beverage apart, Coca-Cola launched a competition in 1915, challenging bottle suppliers and designers to create a unique bottle recognizable even in the dark.
1915: White Rock Beverages Pioneers the Use of Santa Claus in Beverage Advertising
White Rock Beverages was the first to use the image of Santa Claus to promote its mineral water in 1915, marking an early instance of associating the holiday figure with beverages.
1916: Coca-Cola's Contour Bottle Selected for Production
During the 1916 bottler's convention, Dean's contour bottle was chosen over other entries and was on the market the same year.
1916: Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Government in Caffeine Case
The US government effectively won the caffeine content case against Coca-Cola when the Supreme Court ordered a new trial in 1916. In response, Coca-Cola voluntarily reduced the caffeine in its product and settled with the government to avoid further litigation.
September 12, 1919: Coca-Cola purchased by investors
On September 12, 1919, Coca-Cola Co. was purchased by a group of investors led by Ernest Woodruff's Trust Company for $25 million and reincorporated under Delaware General Corporation Law.
1919: Trust Company Underwrites Coca-Cola's IPO
The Trust Company, a predecessor to Truist Financial, played a key role in Coca-Cola's history by underwriting the company's initial public offering in 1919, marking a significant milestone in Coca-Cola's growth.
1920: Coca-Cola's Contour Bottle Became the Standard
By 1920, the contour bottle became the standard for the Coca-Cola Company.
December 25, 1923: Coca-Cola Patents the "Christmas Bottle"
Coca-Cola patented a revised design of the contour bottle on December 25, 1923, earning it the nickname "Christmas bottle."
1923: Robert W. Woodruff elected President
In 1923, Robert W. Woodruff was elected President of Coca-Cola and expanded the company globally, introducing the concept of six-packs.
1923: White Rock Beverages Features Santa Claus in Ginger Ale Advertisements
Preceding Coca-Cola's use of Santa Claus in its advertising, White Rock Beverages featured the jolly figure in its ginger ale ads in 1923.
1927: Coca-Cola's Introduction to China
Coca-Cola made its debut in China in 1927, gaining significant popularity.
1928: Coca-Cola Becomes First Commercial Sponsor of the Olympic Games
Coca-Cola's first sponsorship of the Olympic Games took place at the 1928 games in Amsterdam, marking the beginning of a long-standing partnership.
1929: Coca-Cola Uses Cocaine-Free Coca Leaf Extract
By 1929, Coca-Cola fully transitioned to using a cocaine-free coca leaf extract, ensuring the beverage was free of the drug.
1935: Coca-Cola Adopts Chinese Name
After years of research and deliberation, Coca-Cola settled on the Chinese name "可口可樂（可口可乐）" (Ke-kou ke-le) in the 1930s, meaning "to allow the mouth to be able to rejoice."
1935: Coca-Cola certified kosher
In 1935, Coca-Cola was certified kosher by Atlanta rabbi Tobias Geffen, making it permissible for consumption by the Jewish population, including during Passover.
1941: Coca-Cola embraces "Coke"
In 1941, Coca-Cola officially endorsed the name "Coke" to prevent another company from claiming the trademark.
1941: Coca-Cola Officially Adopts the Nickname "Coke"
The nickname "Coke" became an official trademark for Coca-Cola in 1941, solidifying its place in popular culture.
July 12, 1944: One-billionth gallon milestone
On July 12, 1944, the one-billionth gallon of Coca-Cola syrup was manufactured by the Coca-Cola Company.
1944: Coca-Cola Bottle Case Influences Strict Product Liability
A 1944 case involving an exploding Coca-Cola bottle led to a landmark legal opinion by Justice Roger J. Traynor, advancing the doctrine of strict liability for defective products.
1945: Coke becomes a registered trademark
In 1945, "Coke" officially became a registered trademark of the Coca-Cola Company.
1949: Coca-Cola Banned in China
However, after the Chinese Civil War ended in 1949, the beverage faced a ban, symbolizing Western culture and capitalism.
1950: Biography of Asa Candler
In 1950, Charles Howard Candler authored a book published by Emory University, which detailed his father's involvement in Coca-Cola, including a purchase on April 14, 1888.
1950: Asa Candler becomes sole proprietor
In 1950, Charles Howard Candler's book mentioned that on August 30, 1888, Asa Candler became the sole proprietor of Coca-Cola.
1951: Coca-Cola Faces Conspiracy Theory in Egypt
In 1951, Coca-Cola faced a conspiracy theory in Egypt, alleging that its logo, when mirrored, spelled out an anti-Islamic phrase in Arabic.
1953: Acquisition of Kola Coca
In 1953, Coca-Cola bought the rights to a Spanish drink called "Kola Coca," which was presented at a contest in Philadelphia in 1885, a year before the official birth of Coca-Cola.
1955: Introduction of Coca-Cola cans
In 1955, Coca-Cola cans were introduced, marking a new era in beverage packaging.
1955: Raymond Loewy Updates the Contour Bottle Design
In 1955, renowned industrial designer Raymond Loewy modernized the contour bottle to accommodate larger beverage formats.
1959: Fixed price era ends
In 1959, the fixed price of Coca-Cola, which had been 5¢ since 1886, finally came to an end due to an outdated contract.
1959: End of the Five-Cent Coke
Until 1959, Coca-Cola maintained a fixed price of five cents, partly due to an advertising campaign.
1960: Coca-Cola Withdraws from Cuba
Coca-Cola ceased official distribution in Cuba in 1960.
1960: Don Naylor Begins Crafting Coca-Cola Commercials
Don Naylor, a seasoned Atlanta radio personality, joined McCann Erickson advertising agency and started creating memorable Coca-Cola television commercials in 1960.
1964: The Beach Boys Reference Coca-Cola in "All Summer Long"
The Beach Boys' 1964 song "All Summer Long" included a reference to Coca-Cola with the lyric, "Member when you spilled Coke all over your blouse?"
1968: Arab League Boycott of Coca-Cola
The Arab League initiated a boycott of Coca-Cola in 1968, leading to the company's withdrawal from the Iraqi market for several decades.
1971: Coca-Cola Commercial Song Becomes a Hit Single
The song "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" from a 1971 Coca-Cola commercial gained immense popularity, becoming a chart-topping hit.
1974: Coca-Cola Switches to High-Fructose Corn Syrup
In 1974, due to soaring sugar prices driven by Soviet demand and potential market manipulation, Coca-Cola made the significant decision to replace sugar with high-fructose corn syrup in its formula.
1977: Elvis Presley Promotes Coca-Cola
During his last tour in 1977, Elvis Presley, the renowned artist, endorsed Coca-Cola. The Coca-Cola Company cleverly utilized Presley's image in their promotional efforts, including featuring his song "A Little Less Conversation" in a Japanese commercial.
1977: FIFA World Youth Championship Named "FIFA - Coca-Cola Cup"
From 1977 to 1997, the FIFA World Youth Championship trophy bore the name "FIFA - Coca-Cola Cup" reflecting the company's sponsorship.
1978: Coca-Cola Begins Sponsorship of the FIFA World Cup
Coca-Cola's sponsorship of the FIFA World Cup began in 1978, marking the start of a long-term partnership with FIFA and its tournaments.
February 28, 1979: "Everett Beal's Recipe Book" Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
On February 28, 1979, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published "Everett Beal's Recipe Book", which would later gain attention for containing a potential early recipe for Coca-Cola, sparking debate about its authenticity.
1979: Iconic Coca-Cola Commercial Features "Mean Joe" Greene
A memorable 1979 television commercial for Coca-Cola featuring Pittsburgh Steelers player "Mean Joe" Greene solidified the brand's connection with the NFL team.
1979: Coca-Cola Returns to China
It wasn't until 1979, following the restoration of diplomatic ties between the United States and China, that Coca-Cola made its return to the Chinese market. This agreement was a result of Deng Xiaoping's visit to the United States.
1982: Coca-Cola Acquires Columbia Pictures
In 1982, The Coca-Cola Company purchased Columbia Pictures and began incorporating Coke product images into the studio's films.
1982: Michel Kichka Satirizes Coca-Cola Billboard
In 1982, political cartoonist Michel Kichka created a thought-provoking poster titled "And I Love New York," which satirized a well-known Coca-Cola billboard. Kichka ingeniously altered the billboard's message from "Enjoy Coke" to "Enjoy Cocaine," prompting reflection on consumerism and societal issues.
April 23, 1985: "New Coke" is Introduced
On April 23, 1985, Coca-Cola launched "New Coke," a reformulated version of the drink. Despite initial positive taste tests, the change was met with public backlash fueled by nostalgia for the original formula.
July 10, 1985: Coca-Cola Classic Returns
Yielding to public pressure, Coca-Cola brought back its original formula as "Coca-Cola Classic" on July 10, 1985, after the unsuccessful attempt to replace it with "New Coke".
July 1985: Introduction of Coca-Cola Classic
Coca-Cola was called Coca-Cola Classic from July 1985 to 2009 to distinguish it from "New Coke".
1986: Don Naylor Concludes His Tenure with Coca-Cola Commercials
After a successful run producing iconic Coca-Cola commercials, Don Naylor's time with the company came to an end in 1986.
1986: Formation of Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc.
In 1986, the Coca-Cola Company merged with two of their bottling operators to form Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. (CCE).
1988: Coca-Cola Partners with UEFA
Coca-Cola's partnership with UEFA began in 1988.
1989: Columbia Pictures Sold to Sony
After Columbia Pictures began to underperform, Coca-Cola sold the studio to Sony in 1989.
1989: Selena Becomes a Spokesperson for Coca-Cola
Rising Tejano music star Selena became a brand ambassador for Coca-Cola in 1989, appearing in several commercials for the company.
December 1991: Merger with Johnston Coca-Cola Bottling Group
In December 1991, Coca-Cola Enterprises merged with the Johnston Coca-Cola Bottling Group, Inc.
1992: Coca-Cola Becomes Title Sponsor of the Football League Cup
From 1992 to 1998, Coca-Cola served as the title sponsor of the Football League Cup, the secondary cup tournament in English football, renaming it the Coca-Cola Cup.
1992: "New Coke" Becomes "Coke II"
In 1992, "New Coke" was renamed "Coke II", but it failed to gain popularity and was eventually discontinued in 2002.
1993: Coca-Cola Acquires Thums Up in India
As part of its re-entry into the Indian market, Coca-Cola purchased the popular Indian cola brand, Thums Up, in 1993.
1994: Coca-Cola Becomes Title Sponsor of the Scottish League Cup
Coca-Cola took on the title sponsorship of the Scottish League Cup from 1994 to 1997, renaming it the Coca-Cola Cup.
1994: Coca-Cola Releases Special Selena Coke Bottles
To celebrate Selena's five-year partnership with Coca-Cola, the company released limited-edition bottles featuring her image in 1994.
1995: Closure of Fleeman's Pharmacy
In 1995, Atlanta's Fleeman's Pharmacy, the longest-running commercial Coca-Cola soda fountain, closed after 81 years.
1995: Coca-Cola in Space
In 1995, a Coca-Cola fountain dispenser, known as the Fluids Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus (FGBA), was sent into space on the Space Shuttle. The mission was to explore the feasibility of producing carbonated beverages in a microgravity environment.
1996: Coca-Cola Sponsors 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta
As a long-time Olympic sponsor, Coca-Cola played a prominent role in its hometown during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
1996: Coca-Cola Sponsors 1996 Cricket World Cup
Coca-Cola served as an official sponsor of the 1996 Cricket World Cup held on the Indian subcontinent.
1997: Coca-Cola's Title Sponsorship of the Scottish League Cup Ends
Coca-Cola's sponsorship of the Scottish League Cup, known as the Coca-Cola Cup during that time, concluded in 1997.
1997: End of "FIFA - Coca-Cola Cup" Naming Rights
The FIFA World Youth Championship trophy, known as the "FIFA - Coca-Cola Cup" from 1977 to 1997, no longer carries this name.
1998: Coca-Cola's Title Sponsorship of the Football League Cup Ends
Coca-Cola's tenure as the title sponsor of the Football League Cup, during which it was known as the Coca-Cola Cup, concluded in 1998.
1998: Coca-Cola Becomes Title Sponsor of the Irish League Cup
From 1998 to 2001, the Irish League Cup in Northern Ireland was renamed the Coca-Cola League Cup under the company's title sponsorship.
1999: Coca-Cola Acquires Inca Kola in Peru
In response to the popularity of Inca Kola in Peru, surpassing even Coca-Cola's sales, the Coca-Cola Company acquired the brand in 1999.
1999: Coke Card Loyalty Program Launched
The Coca-Cola Company introduced the Coke Card in 1999, a loyalty program that offered discounts on various items with the purchase of Coca-Cola Classic. The program was discontinued after three years.
2000: Coca-Cola Tests Paper Bottles
In an early attempt to explore sustainable packaging options, Coca-Cola experimented with 2000 paper bottles to assess their viability, considering factors like durability and potential impact on taste.
July 2001: Coca-Cola Sued for Alleged Ties to Colombian Death Squads
The Coca-Cola Company faced serious allegations in July 2001 when it was sued for its alleged involvement with far-right death squads in Colombia, specifically the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC). The lawsuit, filed in a US federal court in Miami by the Colombian food and drink union Sinaltrainal, claimed that Coca-Cola had indirect responsibility by contracting or directing paramilitary security forces that committed heinous acts.
2001: Melanie Thornton Records "Wonderful Dream (Holidays Are Coming)"
Singer Melanie Thornton recorded "Wonderful Dream (Holidays Are Coming)" in 2001, a single based on the Coca-Cola holiday campaign jingle, which charted in Germany.
2001: Coca-Cola and Steelers Open Coca-Cola Great Hall at Heinz Field
Furthering their partnership, Coca-Cola and the Pittsburgh Steelers opened the Coca-Cola Great Hall at Heinz Field in 2001.
2001: Coca-Cola's Title Sponsorship of the Irish League Cup Ends
Coca-Cola's sponsorship of the Irish League Cup, during which it was named the Coca-Cola League Cup, came to an end in 2001.
2001: Coca-Cola Restructures Advertising
Coca-Cola restructured its advertising in 2001 to focus on local production in each country rather than centralizing it at the Atlanta headquarters.
2002: "Coke II" Discontinued
After years of struggling to find a market, "Coke II", the rebranded "New Coke", was finally discontinued in 2002.
2004: Coca-Cola Becomes Title Sponsor of The Football League
Coca-Cola became the main sponsor of The Football League in England, encompassing the three professional divisions below the Premier League, from 2004 to 2010.
July 5, 2005: Coca-Cola Returns to Iraq
On July 5, 2005, Coca-Cola announced its return to Iraq, marking the end of a boycott imposed by the Arab League in 1968.
2005: Coca-Cola Launches "Win a Player" Competition
Coca-Cola introduced the "Win a Player" competition in 2005, allowing fans to vote for their favorite Football League club to win £250,000 for a new player.
2005: Coca-Cola Surpasses Irn-Bru Sales in Scotland
While Irn-Bru held the top spot in Scotland for a significant period, Coca-Cola and Diet Coke overtook its sales in 2005.
2005: Coca-Cola Expands Holiday Campaign to Radio
Coca-Cola expanded its holiday advertising campaign to radio in 2005, incorporating variations of the jingle.
2006: My Coke Rewards Program Launched
In 2006, Coca-Cola launched a new loyalty program, My Coke Rewards, allowing consumers to earn points by entering codes from product packaging for prizes and sweepstakes entries.
2006: Coca-Cola Repeats "Win a Player" Competition
The "Win a Player" competition, with its controversial voting system, was repeated by Coca-Cola in 2006 for The Football League clubs.
April 2007: "Coca-Cola Classic" Reverts to "Coca-Cola" in Canada
In April 2007, Coca-Cola dropped "Classic" from its name in Canada, simplifying it back to "Coca-Cola". This decision was made as "New Coke" was no longer produced, eliminating the need to distinguish between the two.
2007: Coca-Cola Holiday Campaign Returns
After a hiatus, Coca-Cola reintroduced its holiday advertising campaign in 2007 due to consumer demand.
2007: Criticism of Coca-Cola's Holiday Ad
Keith Law, a commercials producer, criticized the reintroduced Coca-Cola holiday advertisement in 2007 for lacking Christmas spirit and being too generic.
2007: Coca-Cola Replaces "Win a Player" with "Buy a Player"
Responding to criticism, Coca-Cola replaced the "Win a Player" competition with "Buy a Player" in 2007, giving all participating Football League clubs a chance to win money based on codes from Coca-Cola products.
January 2009: "Classic" Removed from Some US Labels
Coca-Cola began phasing out the word "Classic" from its 16-ounce bottles in parts of the southeastern United States in January 2009, aiming to refresh the product's image.
November 2009: Costco Temporarily Removes Coca-Cola Products
Costco pulled Coca-Cola and Diet Coke from its shelves for two months in November 2009 due to a pricing dispute. This temporary removal highlighted the complexities of the relationship between the retail giant and the beverage company.
2009: Coca-Cola Bottling Plant in Skopje Wins Award
The Coca-Cola bottling plant in Skopje, Macedonia, was recognized for its excellence in 2009, receiving the award for "Best Bottling Company".
2009: Coca-Cola Light Celebrates 100 Years of the Contour Bottle with Italian Fashion Designers
In 2009, Coca-Cola Light partnered with prominent Italian fashion houses to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the contour bottle with limited-edition designs.
2009: End of Coca-Cola Classic
Coca-Cola dropped the Coca-Cola Classic branding in 2009.
February 28, 2010: Coca-Cola Modifies Olympic Commercial After Canada Wins Hockey Gold
Coca-Cola adapted its Canadian commercial for the 2010 Winter Olympics after Canada won the hockey gold medal on February 28, 2010, changing the ending line to reflect the victory.
March 1, 2010: Coca-Cola Releases Gold Cans for 2010 Winter Olympics
In celebration of the 2010 Winter Olympics, Coca-Cola released limited-edition gold-colored cans in Canada starting March 1, 2010.
2010: Coca-Cola's Sponsorship of The Football League Ends
Coca-Cola's sponsorship as the main sponsor of The Football League in England ended in 2010.
February 11, 2011: Possible Early Coca-Cola Recipe Surfaces
On February 11, 2011, Ira Glass revealed on the radio show "This American Life" that a potential early recipe for Coca-Cola was discovered in "Everett Beal's Recipe Book", published in the February 28, 1979, issue of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. While the recipe closely resembled one found in Pemberton's diary, Coca-Cola archivist Phil Mooney stated that it might be a precursor to the original formula but not the exact one used in the current product.
September 22, 2011: Coca-Cola Announces Price Reductions and New Bottle Size
On September 22, 2011, Coca-Cola announced price cuts, encouraging retailers to sell eight-packs for $2.99. The company also introduced a new 12.5-ounce bottle priced at 89 cents, aiming to provide consumers with more value options.
December 8, 2011: Coca-Cola's Secret Formula Moved to New Vault
The original secret formula for Coca-Cola, kept in a Truist Financial vault for 86 years, was moved to a new vault at the World of Coca-Cola museum in Atlanta on December 8, 2011, where it was put on display for visitors.
2011: "Classic" Removed from All Coca-Cola Products
By 2011, Coca-Cola had completely removed the word "Classic" from all its product labels, signifying the end of an era that began with the introduction and subsequent withdrawal of "New Coke".
2011: "Share a Coke" Campaign Launches in Australia
Coca-Cola launched the "Share a Coke" campaign in Australia in 2011, replacing the logo on bottles with popular first names, and supported by a website and social media.
2011: Coca-Cola Launches Diwali Campaign in India
In 2011, Coca-Cola launched a campaign for the Indian holiday Diwali, featuring commercials, a song, and integration with the film "Ra.One."
June 2012: Coca-Cola Enters Myanmar
In June 2012, Coca-Cola announced its entry into the Myanmar market, making its product officially available in almost every country worldwide.
2012: Coca-Cola Returns to Myanmar
After a 60-year absence due to US sanctions, Coca-Cola resumed operations in Myanmar in 2012, opening a bottling plant in Yangon as part of a five-year, $200 million investment plan.
2013: "Share a Coke" Campaign Expands to the UK
In 2013, Coca-Cola expanded the "Share a Coke" campaign to the UK, featuring names on Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, and Coke Zero products.
2013: Coke products reach global presence
In 2013, Coke products were sold in over 200 countries worldwide, with consumers drinking more than 1.8 billion company beverage servings each day.
2013: Costco Replaces Coca-Cola with Pepsi in Food Courts
In 2013, Costco replaced Coca-Cola products with Pepsi in its food courts as part of a new pouring rights agreement, signaling a significant shift in their business partnership.
May 5, 2014: Coca-Cola to Remove Brominated Vegetable Oil
On May 5, 2014, Coca-Cola responded to public concerns by announcing its plan to eliminate brominated vegetable oil, a controversial ingredient, from its beverages.
2018: Coca-Cola ranks in Fortune 500
Coca-Cola ranked No. 87 in the 2018 Fortune 500 list of the largest United States corporations by total revenue.
2019: Coca-Cola Named Top Plastic Polluter
In 2019, BreakFreeFromPlastic, a global movement working to reduce plastic pollution, conducted a brand audit involving 72,541 volunteers across 37 countries and four continents. Their findings revealed Coca-Cola as the world's largest plastic polluter, based on the number of branded plastic waste items collected.
2019: Coca-Cola Becomes Premier League Partner
Coca-Cola secured a major sponsorship deal with the Premier League in 2019, becoming a commercial partner for specific markets, including the UK and Ireland, China, and Southeast Asia.
2019: Coca-Cola Introduces Bottle Made from Ocean Plastic
Highlighting its commitment to sustainability, Coca-Cola unveiled its first beverage bottle made from recycled ocean plastic in 2019.
2020: Coca-Cola Defends Packaging Practices
At the 2020 World Economic Forum in Davos, Coca-Cola's Head of Sustainability, Bea Perez, addressed concerns regarding the company's use of plastic packaging. Perez defended their practices, stating that customers appreciate the resealable and lightweight nature of their packaging.
2020: Coca-Cola's brand value
Based on Interbrand's "best global brand" study of 2020, Coca-Cola was the world's sixth most valuable brand.
2020: Coca-Cola's Planned Investment in India
Coca-Cola announced its plan to invest US$5 billion in its operations in India by 2020, indicating a strong commitment to expanding its presence in one of the world's largest consumer markets.
2020: Coca-Cola Becomes Premier Partner of NASCAR Cup Series
In 2020, Coca-Cola became a premier partner of the NASCAR Cup Series, securing naming rights for the regular season championship trophy.
February 2021: Coca-Cola Faces Backlash for "Try to Be Less White" Training
In February 2021, Coca-Cola faced significant backlash after a video of an internal training session was leaked by an employee. The session, which encouraged employees to "try to be less white," sparked outrage and accusations of reverse racism.
February 2021: Coca-Cola to Use 100% Recycled Plastic Bottles
In February 2021, Coca-Cola revealed its plan to combat plastic waste by selling sodas in bottles made entirely from recycled plastic in the United States. The company also set an ambitious goal to recycle one bottle or can for each one sold by 2030.
2021: Coca-Cola Challenges Unauthorized Use of Thums Up and Limca Trademarks in the United States
In 2021, Coca-Cola filed a petition to cancel registrations for the Thums Up and Limca trademarks by Meenaxi Enterprise, Inc. in the United States, citing misrepresentation and potential consumer confusion.
February 2022: Coca-Cola Sets Reusable Packaging Target
Responding to growing pressure and concerns about plastic pollution, Coca-Cola announced in February 2022 its goal to achieve 25% reusable packaging by 2030. This target demonstrates their effort to adopt more sustainable packaging practices.
2022: Coca-Cola Suspends Operations in Russia
Due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Coca-Cola suspended its operations in Russia in 2022.
2023: Thums Up and Sprite Outperform Coca-Cola in India
Despite facing stiff competition in India, Coca-Cola's other brands, Thums Up and Sprite, gained significant market share, reaching 16% and 20%, respectively, in 2023.
2030: Coca-Cola Aims for Full Bottle and Can Recycling
By 2030, Coca-Cola aims to achieve a closed-loop recycling system, where it recycles one bottle or can for every one sold, demonstrating a commitment to environmental sustainability.