General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSo... Wait. We support Coca-Cola now?
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
(3,182 posts)One can certainly support one action, without support all.
kelliekat44
(7,759 posts)rurallib
(62,431 posts)L0oniX
(31,493 posts)leftyohiolib
(5,917 posts)L0oniX
(31,493 posts)leftyohiolib
(5,917 posts)Vashta Nerada
(3,922 posts)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
(28,151 posts)Good post Orrex.
HappyMe
(20,277 posts)what it was - a really cool commercial.
I still have the the occasional coke.
lapfog_1
(29,210 posts)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
(30,151 posts)Then it will be forgotten....
Cerridwen
(13,258 posts)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
(18,495 posts)or was that, no?
onehandle
(51,122 posts)Capt. Obvious
(9,002 posts)and Dr. Pepper is made from the skin of prunes.
Orrex
(63,216 posts)Even the overpraised Pepsi Throwback is vile. Especially Pepsi Throwback.
Capt. Obvious
(9,002 posts)but it's hard to find outside of rural areas.
Orrex
(63,216 posts)Capt. Obvious
(9,002 posts)Erose999
(5,624 posts)at the university where I work because they have an exclusive contract with Coke. I actually prefer RC to Coke.
Iggo
(47,558 posts)However, I'm not going to start or stop drinking Coke because of some TV commercial.
Vashta Nerada
(3,922 posts)Not diversity.
Iggo
(47,558 posts)What they used it for was to sell Coke.
Vashta Nerada
(3,922 posts)The message was at the tune of diversity and Capitalism.
Iggo
(47,558 posts)Or, more correctly: We see what we want to see. (Didn't mean to put it all on you.)
HappyMe
(20,277 posts)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
(8,543 posts)Just because Coca-Cola seems to be supporting it?
Orrex
(63,216 posts)DU loudly excoriated Walmart for its food-drive to support its employees.
So we're against providing food for low-income families now?
mac56
(17,572 posts)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?
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
(45,851 posts)In perfect synchrony
Thought, it's the real thing.
mathematic
(1,439 posts)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
(21,797 posts)is OK by me.
And yeah, I do like a Coca-Cola product on occasion.
cali
(114,904 posts)demwing
(16,916 posts)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
(63,216 posts)Or not reply at all. It's entirely up to them.
frazzled
(18,402 posts)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
(3,922 posts)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.
JHB
(37,161 posts)...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
(17,469 posts)than it is about liking Coke.
The scum I hate that annoys other scum I hate makes for a popcorn moment.
2naSalit
(86,660 posts)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
(7,143 posts)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
(63,216 posts)OilemFirchen
(7,143 posts)For the cheerleaders?
Do they have cheerleaders?
Exultant Democracy
(6,594 posts)I didn't see the commercial, but I'm in favor of anything that ties the rights panties in a knot.
pipi_k
(21,020 posts)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
(10,274 posts)Jeff In Milwaukee
(13,992 posts)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
(63,216 posts)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
(13,992 posts)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
(10,274 posts)A Pink velvet glove for the iron fist of capitalism....
Skidmore
(37,364 posts)Jesus Malverde
(10,274 posts)kcr
(15,317 posts)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
(145,359 posts)I hate admit that I am addicted to diet coke but this ad did make me feel better about the company
justiceischeap
(14,040 posts)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
(28,876 posts)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
(63,216 posts)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
(20,277 posts)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
(2,812 posts)OilemFirchen
(7,143 posts)An advertisement which might positively shift a few attitudes about multiculturalism and acceptance is being used to hawk sugary drinks.
Those bastards!
Orrex
(63,216 posts)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
(20,277 posts)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
(63,216 posts)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.
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
(20,277 posts)Apple devices because of the way the workers are treated?
OilemFirchen
(7,143 posts)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
(63,216 posts)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
(7,143 posts)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
(63,216 posts)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
(7,143 posts)If the takeaway is positive, I don't give a shit about their motivation.
Orrex
(63,216 posts)OilemFirchen
(7,143 posts)NuclearDem
(16,184 posts)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
(22,871 posts)because we don't like a brand? Dumb OP is dumb.
Orrex
(63,216 posts)Maybe you and they can misunderstand the OP together.
CBGLuthier
(12,723 posts)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.
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
(26,549 posts)It is quite possible to think "nice commercial" while not liking the company's products or policies.
Orrex
(63,216 posts)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
(26,549 posts)And it's all over the place on all sorts of issues. So yeah, I'm going to be "feisty" in opposing it.
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.
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
(63,216 posts)Golly! So feisty!
WhiteTara
(29,718 posts)sugar for their product.
Auggie
(31,174 posts)Arkana
(24,347 posts)I do enjoy the fact that a simple commercial pissed off so many xenophobic whack jobs.
W T F
(1,148 posts)quinnox
(20,600 posts)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
(78,249 posts)bobclark86
(1,415 posts)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
(37,748 posts)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
(45,251 posts)Orrex
(63,216 posts)In the world of corporate advertising, "overlooked" is as good as "forgiven."
merrily
(45,251 posts)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
(46,131 posts)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
(73,631 posts)There's nothing that says you can't oppose both.
liberal_at_heart
(12,081 posts)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.
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?