Coca-Cola’s Australian Campaign: “Share a Coke”

I just returned from an amazing semester abroad in the Gold Coast of Queensland, Australia at Griffith University. Aside from classes, I spent my time at the beach and exploring. I’m not a big soda drinker, but this campaign by Coca-Cola convinced me to buy a couple bottles for my friends.

The “Share a Coke” summer campaign offers customers in Australia Coke bottles with different names printed on them. The names replace the Coca-Cola logo. There are 150 names available that are supposed to represent a cross section of the Australian population. They are popular names in Australia, making sure to take into account the ethnic population. 

Not only can you share a Coke from the grocery store or a ‘servo’ (gas station), you can share a virtual Coke on their Facebook page.

Here are their "Share a Coke" commercials:

 -  Share a Coke with Matt:

- Share a Coke with your Pop:

- Share a Coke with Kate:

- Share a Coke with Luke:

- Share a Coke with Alex:

- Share a Coke with Jess:

- Share a Coke with Laura:

- Share a Coke with Steve:

- Share a Coke with your Nan:

- Share a Coke with Tom:

- Share a Coke with Rob:

- Share a Coke with your Sis:

- Share a Coke with your Bro:

- Share a Coke with Mel:

- Share a Coke with Dave:

While most of the commercials are very similar, they each offer a personal touch, compelling the audience to "Share a Coke." I think this campaign works really well. At first I thought it was stupid, but I saw people buying Cokes just because they had the name of someone they new on them. Out to eat, I watched a girl grab a Coke, then put it back in the cooler and grab another one which had the name of her boyfriend on it and present it as a gift to him. My friend also tried to make amends with one of my roommates by placing a Coke with her name on it outside of her door. I have never seen her so excited. 

If only they would bring this campaign to the US.