Coca-Cola Innovative Marketing

Problem

Coca-Cola was losing relevance with younger audiences, seen as old and out of touch.

Insight

Back in 2012, second-screen viewing was exploding. We saw an opportunity to meet this behavior with something unexpected and interactive.

Solution

As digital/social strategist, I helped bring Coca-Cola into the game with Polar Bowl: a live stream of the brand’s Polar Bears reacting in real time to the Super Bowl. We built the experience like a live broadcast, with scenario planning, content triggers, platform orchestration, and community engagement.

Results

The campaign carved out a new space for digital, real time advertising with unprecedented results:

9M

users who engaged in the livestream

28 min

average time spent on the livestream

+2,067%

brand buzz volume vs previous year

Above: Behind the scenes in the “war room” (I’m on the lower left)

On Right: Influencer + press kits with scarves “paw-knit by polar bears” (AKA me - yes I really did)

Additional Awards & Recognition

  • Cannes Gold Lion for Fast Moving Consumer Goods

  • Cannes Silver Lion for Best Use of Screens

  • Cannes Bronze Lion for Direct Response Digital: Social Media & Viral Marketing

  • Cannes Bronze Lion for Interactive Film

  • Cannes Bronze Lion for Best use or integration of digital media

  • 2 Silver ANDY's for Beverage: Non-Alcohol

Team

Digital/Social Strategy: Yours Truly
Creative Agency: Wieden + Kennedy