So... Wait. We support Coca-Cola now?

[Orrex]

For a long stretch all I heard about was Coke's murderous union-busting tactics abroad.

But a pleasant 30-second montage of kids singing and all is forgiven?



Just trying to keep up with the pendulum. Thanks!

[Glitterati]

1. I, personally, support that commercial

One can certainly support one action, without support all.

[kelliekat44]

99. I support the ad. We have coke somtimes but mostly drink water and teas. That won't change, nt

[rurallib]

2. not me - but I do thank them for their ad.

[L0oniX]

3. Coke is not the only murderer.

[leftyohiolib]

9. and that matters cause ......

[L0oniX]

71. It won't matter to those who are anti union and pro murder.

[leftyohiolib]

4. i brought this up earlier and not a word in response. since when do we cheer on coke

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024435138

[Vashta Nerada]

5. Their ad was about selling Coke.

They played on everyone's emotions to sell their product which is what they're supposed to do.

But hey, the commercial showed diversity, so it's all good.

[JNelson6563]

6. DU has become everything it used to loathe.

Good post Orrex.

[HappyMe]

7. I enjoyed the commercial for

what it was - a really cool commercial.

I still have the the occasional coke.

[lapfog_1]

8. I do not support Coca-cola

I do not drink Coke or Coke products.

I did like their commercial, but then I liked the one with the polar bears at Xmas too...

I still won't be buying their products.

[snooper2]

10. only for another 47.3 hours

Then it will be forgotten....

[Cerridwen]

11. I prefer the Clydesdale commercials. (edit to add link to commercial)

I don't drink the beer.

This was a nice commercial.

I don't drink the soda.

Commercials are part of the "media" that we constantly criticize. It's nice to see even this small contribution to a message of inclusion.

The commercial I think is cute. Advisory: I love horses and puppies and kitties and dogs and cats and elephants and lizards and lions, and tigers, and bears; Oh My!

[eShirl]

12. if we want to keep our world all in tidy little boxes, YES

or was that, no?

[onehandle]

13. No, but whatever pisses off GOPNRAhadists makes our day. nt

[Capt. Obvious]

14. Only because Pepsi is gross

and Dr. Pepper is made from the skin of prunes.

[Orrex]

31. Can't refute any of that.

Even the overpraised Pepsi Throwback is vile. Especially Pepsi Throwback.

[Capt. Obvious]

32. We should all drink RC Cola

but it's hard to find outside of rural areas.

[Orrex]

33. Or outside of the late 1970s.

[Capt. Obvious]

37. Rural areas are still stuck in the 70's

[Erose999]

81. Not hard to find at all in GA. Its in most convineince and grocery stores. I can't get it on campus

at the university where I work because they have an exclusive contract with Coke. I actually prefer RC to Coke.

[Iggo]

15. The message is beautiful.

However, I'm not going to start or stop drinking Coke because of some TV commercial.

[Vashta Nerada]

19. The message was about selling Coke.

Not diversity.

[Iggo]

21. No, the message was about diversity.

What they used it for was to sell Coke.

[Vashta Nerada]

22. The message: Buy Coke.

The message was at the tune of diversity and Capitalism.

[Iggo]

24. You see what you want to see.

Or, more correctly: We see what we want to see. (Didn't mean to put it all on you.)

[HappyMe]

47. That's pretty much it right there.

I don't know why people are assuming that all of a sudden, people will start or stop drinking Coke because of this.

Will people start or stop drinking Bud because of the cute puppy commercial? Start or stop shoveling Doritos in because of the boy riding the dog? I doubt it.

It was a lovely commercial.

[Make7]

16. So... Wait. We're against diversity and inclusion now?

Just because Coca-Cola seems to be supporting it?

[Orrex]

23. Who said that? Not me.

DU loudly excoriated Walmart for its food-drive to support its employees.
So we're against providing food for low-income families now?

[mac56]

93. Context is everything.

Walmart helped create the conditions that made that food drive necessary.
They could have rendered them unnecessary, but did not.

That's why they caught well-deserved heat on DU.

How is that analogous to Coca-Cola, a global presence, taking a stand for diversity?

[G_j]

17. NO

It was not an act of benevolence, they just want everyone to buy their products.
BUT, It's absolutely wonderful watching the bigots get upset with it!

[Fumesucker]

18. I'd like to teach the world to think...

In perfect synchrony

Thought, it's the real thing.

[mathematic]

20. That is precisely the point of the ad

Big businesses know that the right will never abandon its products. They don't like a coke ad... what are they going to do about it? By Organic Joe's Fair Trade Corn-Free Cola? Hell no. There are no right wing alternative products or even stores that would stock niche right wing products.

The left, on the other hand, need to be continually persuaded to support the brand to combat market share erosion.

[DinahMoeHum]

25. Anything that gets the RW bigots in piddling pants mode

is OK by me.

And yeah, I do like a Coca-Cola product on occasion.

[Deep13]

26. No. nt

[cali]

27. so glad you posted this.

[demwing]

28. I suppose if you want to get your threads read

you have to create something that cause DUers to either argue apoplectically, or sit in a circle and sing Kumbaya.

Which one is this?

[Orrex]

30. They are free to reply as they see fit.

Or not reply at all. It's entirely up to them.

[frazzled]

29. It was an ADVERTISEMENT, folks

The behemoth Coca-Cola is worried about going the way of Sears and Penney's: after all, people aren't exactly clamoring to down calorie-laden sugary drinks with chemicals in them these days. Coke wants to retain the youth market; they want to penetrate foreign markets (and by extension, the immigrant markets here) that are still viable. That's what this ad was about: they want YOU. They don't give the proverbial flying f*** about what some right-wing Twitterers say, and they're not high-fiving themselves for pissing that demographic off. They want everyone to drink Coke.

They are not in the business of politics or social commentary: they are in the business of selling you a sugary drink that is, more quickly than they like, going out of style after 100 years.

Well, I don't give a proverbial flying f*** about their ad: I haven't drunk Coke in ten years and I'm not likely to drink one soon. Not because I think it's evil; it's just something I cut out of my diet and don't wish to re-introduce.

But that's what is was: big advertising for big business. Fiction. Promotion. We shouldn't take it too seriously. And Coke is still bad for you.

[Vashta Nerada]

48. Thread win.

Coke is about putting money in their pockets. They don't care about diversity. They don't care about social progress or social commentary. They played on everyone's emotions to sell their product, which is what everyone learns in Advertising 101.

[aristocles]

51. BINGO!

[JHB]

34. No, but never pass up an opportunity to shine a light on conservatives...

...being their usual bigoted, hateful selves.

And replay it at election time, to remind people how they acted when they're trying to pretend they said so such things.

[Kelvin Mace]

35. Well, It is more about enjoying the bigots get pissed off

than it is about liking Coke.

The scum I hate that annoys other scum I hate makes for a popcorn moment.

[2naSalit]

36. Indeed. It was a nice

sentiment and the ad writers should get some kudos but beyond that, the corporation being lauded for the nice 30 second bit hasn't changed any of their horrendous activities sooo....

I don't drink that kind of stuff unless it's diluted with a hefty amount of alcohol, and I rarely drink alcohol so I don't think I can be considered a customer. I make a conscious effort to not buy corporate products whenever possible. I drink water, and I am blessed to live in one of the very few places on the planet where I'll actually drink the tap water.

Nice ad, still the same old POS corporation.

[OilemFirchen]

38. Did you watch the Super Bowl?

If so, you directly supported the NFL, Fox Broadcasting and either Comcast, Time Warner, Direct TV, Dish, or whichever. And, indirectly, all of the other advertisers.

Me, I watched movies.

[Orrex]

39. Why in the world would I watch the Superbowl?

[OilemFirchen]

44. I dunno.

For the cheerleaders?

Do they have cheerleaders?

[Exultant Democracy]

40. I have have rust to strip I support Coca-Cola all the way, but I would never put it in my body.

I didn't see the commercial, but I'm in favor of anything that ties the rights panties in a knot.

[pipi_k]

41. I'm old and can't remember

all the places/people we're supposed to be boycotting, so I started a list.

Here's what I've seen people calling for boycotts on:

BP
Hershey
Amazon.com
All Red States
Florida
NC
Marriot
Olive Garden
Chick-fil-A
NFL Football
Sea World Entertainment
Koch Products
fast food
Disney World
Abercrombie & Fitch
Cristal
Madea
College sports
Walmart
Regal Cinema
Papa John Pizza
Denny's
Applebees
Dominos Pizza
Goodwill
Salvation Army
Huffington Post
Elton John (for singing at Rush Limbaugh's wedding...are we still supposed to be mad at him for doing that, or is he OK now?)

And now Coke, which I never knew about until now.


No doubt I'm missing some...


Anyone got the complete list?

[Jesus Malverde]

45. good point..nt

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

42. Here's thought...

If you like it, drink it. If you don't like it, drink something else.

If you boycotted every company whose politics or business practices were contemptible, you'd be sitting in a cave eating Ben & Jerry's.

....not that I'd have a problem with that lifestyle.

[Orrex]

49. It's not a question of liking it or not liking it

It's about the predictable anger at their corporate practices followed predictably by predictable praise for the company's predictable ad pitch for seemingly progressive sensibilities.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

54. Like I said...

Drink it or don't drink it. If you want to go through life in a state of perpetual outrage, then you should probably not drink it.

[Jesus Malverde]

43. Pink Washing..

A Pink velvet glove for the iron fist of capitalism....

[Skidmore]

53. Aw, Jeez.

[Jesus Malverde]

94. Burning down the Coca-Cola Christmas tree...

[kcr]

46. It was about selling Coke.

If Coke thought pandering to the right would sell more product that is what they would do. But I think at least for some it's more about pointing out the outrage of the right.

[Gothmog]

50. I love diet coke

I hate admit that I am addicted to diet coke but this ad did make me feel better about the company

[justiceischeap]

52. I don't support Coca-Cola now or ever

however, the discussion, IMO, isn't about supporting Coke, it's about supporting the message that America isn't just white people. The people complaining about the ad didn't see the "ad" portion of it. They saw the multi-lingual/multi-national message and decided to show their bigoted asses for what they are. I'm against that but not pro-Coke because I'm against that and agree that it takes all kinds to make America beautiful.

[Barack_America]

55. Almost everything Costco sells is made in China.

They're no champion of American manufacturing. Their produce is all pretty much big Agri as well. So I suppose we should boycott them, despite their progressive pay scales and benefits for employees.

Right?

There is no such thing as a "pure" or perfect corporation. It doesn't exist. It's about balance and last night Coke tipped their balance a bit toward the good. They may still be an overall bad corporation, but the first same sex family portrayed in a commercial? Think about that. That is significant.

[Orrex]

57. All I'm saying...

is that the next time the scale tips the other way, and DU is beating its collective breast about the evils of Coca-Cola Inc., I'd like to see a measured, level-headed response like yours similarly calling for perspective.

[HappyMe]

59. Uh oh!

You have dissed the holy Costco!

Didn't it come out that the ceo of Whole Foods is a teabagger or something of the sort?

[yawnmaster]

97. Costco sells Mexican Coke!!! I love Coke from a bottle. eom

[OilemFirchen]

56. I'm horrified.

An advertisement which might positively shift a few attitudes about multiculturalism and acceptance is being used to hawk sugary drinks.

Those bastards!

[Orrex]

60. Do you think it's likely that the ad will have that effect?

Do you really think that people will reconsider their prejudices and bigotry simply because Coke bought Superbowl airtime?

To me, it seems more likely that Coke is simply casting itself as a supporter of multiculturalism in hope of snagging a few more customers.

[HappyMe]

64. So will Bud gain more customers

because of the cute puppy commercial? Or Doritos get more people to buy because of the little boy lassoing the bag and riding the dog? I don't think so. People will eat and drink those things if they choose.
I think Hannity, O'Liely, and Limbaugh are far more worrisome than a Coke commercial that shows the diversity of this country.

[Orrex]

65. I'll remember that.

The next time there's an uproar about Coke's heavy-handed anti-union tactics in Central America (or elsewhere), I'll quote your declaration that Hannity, O'Reilly and Limbaugh are far more worrisome.

[HappyMe]

66. Okay.

I don't know shit about what goes on in Central America and unions. So, nobody that works for Coca Cola is in a union?

[HappyMe]

75. Are people throwing out their

Apple devices because of the way the workers are treated?

[OilemFirchen]

70. Since it evoked such a visceral reaction from the usual subjects...

I'm inclined to believe that the reverse is quite possible. Moreso, if any ad successfully encourages individuals to buy a product, then it's equally plausible that an ad can influence people to change their attitudes.

Seriously, dude, Coke is going to advertise during the Super Bowl, one way or the other. What's the harm in a bit of positive social messaging?

[Orrex]

73. I find the obvious cynicism distasteful

They could have run a pro-diversity message at any time, if it suited their agenda to do so. Instead, they waited until the moment that they calculated to have the most viral value to maximize their visibility.

If we had any reason to believe that they were truly backing multiculturalism rather than backing Coca-Cola Inc., I would have no problem with it. As it stands, it's straightforward pandering that happens to have a message that's pleasing to progressive sensibilities.

[OilemFirchen]

77. Wait, wut?

It's worse to air this ad when they have the most eyes?

There's "obvious cynicism" on display, but we likely disagree about its source.

[Orrex]

80. They want to paint themselves as pro-diversity when everyone is watching

It's not an ad in favor of diversity and multiculturalism; it's an ad calculated to paint Coke as a champion of multiculturalism and diversity. It's exactly the same as Right-wingers draping themselves in aggressively pro-America propaganda. They are the product that they're selling.

That's why it's cynical.

[OilemFirchen]

82. That's not cynicism, that's merchandising.

If the takeaway is positive, I don't give a shit about their motivation.

[Orrex]

83. That's a very pollyanna point of view. (nt)

[OilemFirchen]

88. Hilarious. (Likewise n/t).

[d_b]

58. lol

[NuclearDem]

61. They pissed off right wingers, and that's all we care about.

Who cares if they've funded ALEC or exploited workers? They bravely stood up for the LGBT community after seeing how the public opinion shifted.

[sufrommich]

62. Should we join in with the racist mouth breathers

because we don't like a brand? Dumb OP is dumb.

[Orrex]

67. You're welcome to join them for whatever reason you like.

Maybe you and they can misunderstand the OP together.

[CBGLuthier]

84. Some of us can see more than the so-called two sides to things.

I wrote an email to the Oklahoma rep who condemned the ad and called it unamerican.

but at the same time I find the ad to be exploitative and their product to be poison.

It is called using your brain to think about things for yourself.

[PFunk]

63. No.

I still think they (and Pepsi) are slime because of the actions you mentioned. But I will buy coke products for this week (and only this week) only because I want to show my approval/support of that ad.

[jeff47]

68. We aren't the fucking morons you claim us to be.

It is quite possible to think "nice commercial" while not liking the company's products or policies.

[Orrex]

72. Golly! So feisty!

DU is awash with pro-Coke sentiment today, which interests me because in other circumstances we happily condemn them with equal vigor. I'm commenting on the pendulum swing and how little it takes to camouflage the practices of the company that we're praising with (more or less) one voice.


I haven't claimed that anyone is a fucking moron, though I confess that you give me reason to reconsider.

[jeff47]

74. It's a really dumb argument that insists we are idiots

And it's all over the place on all sorts of issues. So yeah, I'm going to be "feisty" in opposing it.

DU is awash with pro-Coke sentiment today

No, DU is awash with pro-Coke-commercial sentiment today. Again, we are not fucking morons and are capable of separating the commercial from the company.

I'm commenting on the pendulum swing and how little it takes to camouflage the practices of the company that we're praising with (more or less) one voice.

Because you're insisting we are fucking morons that are unable to separate the commercial from the company.

But hey, you've got a nice passive-aggressive "I'm so superior" thing going on here, so enjoy.

[Orrex]

78. If you feel like a fucking moron, that's not my problem.

But hey, you've got a nice passive-aggressive "I'm so superior" thing going on here, so enjoy.

The same empty accusation could be made of anyone who posts an opinion at odds with whatever trend is currently in vogue on DU at any given time. Care to try again?

you're insisting we are fucking morons

No one else seems to have drawn that conclusion. No one else is foaming at the mouth about it like you are, either.


Golly! So feisty!

[WhiteTara]

69. add decimation of the rain forest to plant

sugar for their product.

[Auggie]

76. Not me. That commercial is borrowed interest too. It's awful.

[Arkana]

79. Um...no.

I do enjoy the fact that a simple commercial pissed off so many xenophobic whack jobs.

[W T F]

85. Nobody said that……..A broken clock is right twice a day.

[quinnox]

86. I support coke in that I drink it a lot, but thought the ad was mediocre, and nothing special

I'm baffled by all the celebration and saying how great it was. So they had people singing some patriotic tune in foreign languages. Whoop-de-doo.

[KamaAina]

87. Not to mention their sponsorship of the Sochi Olympics

[bobclark86]

89. I think it's funny how it got...

a bunch of panties in a bunch over having something other than Aryans drinking it, but other than that, I don't care.

Good point, though.

[LanternWaste]

90. I don't think recognizing good advertising as such accurately translates to support.

I don't think recognizing good advertising as such accurately translates to support.

However, I do understand that the implication of ethical relativism based on invalid sampling certainly allows one the pretense found on many high horses...

[merrily]

91. Who said union busting was forgiven?

[Orrex]

92. It certainly seems to have been entirely overlooked

In the world of corporate advertising, "overlooked" is as good as "forgiven."

[merrily]

95. Reminding people is appropriate, IMO. I certainly appreciate that kind of reminder.

Implying that expressing appreciation for the ad without, in the same post, castigating Coke for union busting, is the equivalent of condoning union busting is not fair, IMO. And that is how your OP came across to me.

[no_hypocrisy]

96. Nope.

High fructose corn syrup

Caramel coloring

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/01/12/what-happens-to-your-body-within-an-hour-of-drinking-a-coke.aspx

[MrScorpio]

98. Only if you want to play the Zero/Sum game

There's nothing that says you can't oppose both.

[liberal_at_heart]

100. It is possible to recognize their good work with this commercial and still criticize their

business practices. And just because I like the commercial doesn't mean I am going to mindlessly wander to my local grocery store and buy a basket full of cokes. I don't even drink soda any more and my soda of choice used to be Dr. Pepper.

[frwrfpos]

101. nope

Union busting and those that support a company that busts unions are republican ideals. Its sad to read comments that they either dont care or will continue to support this garbage.

When the fuck did it become ok for Democrats to support right wing republican union busting?