As part of its “Reasons to Believe” campaign, Coca-Cola released a feel-good commercial featuring kids belting out a cover of “You Got the Love”, emphasizing Coke’s belief that “there’s more good in the world than bad.” As an alternative to “every display of hatred, ” an adorable gay couple’s wedding demonstrates one of “5000 celebrations of love.”
However, in Ireland’s ad, the adorable gay couple is replaced by an adorable heterosexual couple, namely Aussie newlyweds Jamie and Nikki, whose wedding video went viral earlier this year. According to Jamie and Nikki (who is giving me FACE for days), their wedding is featured in Ireland, France and Denmark, whereas the gay couple is featured in Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands.
Interestingly enough, both Denmark and France recognize same-sex marriage — as do Sweden, Netherlands and Norway — though Ireland only has civil partnerships. Perhaps Coke didn’t want to ruffle any more feathers since its controversial sponsorship of the Sochi Olympics.
Still, over the weekend the soft drink giant published photos of protesters demonstrating against Coca-Cola with signs that read “Olympic sponsors break your silence on LGBTQ+ Russia!”, “Defend LGBTQ+ people in Russia!” and “Demand protection for LGBTQ+ Russians!”:
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Check out the gay-inclusive video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4KUaiGCmGU#t=50
And Ireland’s version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo7Vyf3EyFw#t=40
AuntieChrist
Yes but the couple is bi-racial so I guess that counts for something…Don’t think those duck die nasty folks drink coke with their corn licker…
redspyder
meh. Given that the commercial was pretty shite, I can’t really care who is in it. Jamie & Nikki’s themselves, though, are pretty cringeworthy… anyone talking about how inspiring they are while being in a Coca Cola ad, from their Youtube channel where they have 90+ videos of themselves… there’s a level of narcissism there that seems contradictory to the commercial’s message.
Then again, so does putting out a commercial designed to quiet negative commentary about your own company’s controversial sponsorship. Critics will be lumped in with the negative, thereby making it seem like they’re part of the problem. If it was a better commercial, I’d be a bit more impressed with their attempts at manipulation.
sportyguy1983
It is called marketing to your base. This is Ireland we are talking about. One of the most Catholic nations around. Coca-Cola is in the business to make a profit. If they think a TV ad will hurt their bottom line, then they will make the necessary changes. Coca-Cola is not in the business of shaping political thought (unless they think it will help their profits).
the other Greg
Denmark was the first place in the entire world to have same-sex marriage so I’m surprised they are on the “hetero” list.
Babibabi
Sorry Greg,
Is was the Netherlands that was the first to have same-sex marriage.
viveutvivas
..didn’t want to ruffle more feathers since its sponsorship of the homophobic Games, with MORE homophobia? That is ruffling the same feathers once again, if you ask me.
krystalkleer
who drinks COKE anyways?
http://getoffmydress.blogspot.com/2013/12/wrappn-it-up.html
the other Greg
@Babibabi: Wow, I was way off on that one! – don’t know why I misremembered it that way.
Dakotahgeo
After watching what Coca-Cola, Pepsi, et al, does to teeth over the years, and McDonald’s Not-So-Healthy Fast Food, I’ve given up both corporations some time ago. Don’t miss ’em one bit!
AuntieChrist
@krystalkleer: Here she is again,trying to sell her lame ass blog. shall i state the obvious? Made the mistake of going there. That’s right bitch. It’s on….Just so you know…In a battle of wits with me..? You are completely unarmed. I have the whole of herstory to draw from…
AuntieChrist
Made the mistake of going there. To her blog…Praise the Goddess Auntie has all the best anti-virus programs. Well not the NSA they have it all but I have nothing to hide.
AuntieChrist
@Dakotahgeo: You never call. I’m hurt.
jimbryant
Coca Cola is playing us. We’re being played like chess pieces. Don’t support Coca Cola.
WallaceWells
@the other Greg: You weren’t totally off. Denmark was indeed the very first country in the world to RECOGNIZE same sex partnerships in the form of registered parrnerships back in 1989.
As Babibabi correctly pointed out, the Netherlands were the first country to provide full marriage equality, something Denmark didn’t do until 2012 (the conservative – by Danish standards- government argues that registered partnership already provided all the same rights as marriage, including adoption, so it wouldn’t be necessary).
jckfmsincty
Pepsi is better, anyway.
Greg Garavani
Fuck Coke, I lost respect for them after continued support of the Olympics. Gives me more reasons to look out for my health and keep from drinking that crap.
pixx
The adverts just started airing here in Copenhagen (or at least I haven’t seen them before and I watch far too much tv!) and I can confirm that there was a very adorable good looking gay couple featured in it so I guess Nikki was wrong… Sorry!