A History of Coca‑Cola Advertising Slogans

Throughout the years, the slogans used in advertising for Coca‑Cola have reflected not only the brand, but the times. Slogans provide a simple, direct way to communicate about Coca‑Cola.

The 1906 slogan, "The Great National Temperance Beverage," reflects a time when society in the United States was veering away from alcoholic beverages, and Coca‑Cola provided a nice alternative.

Other slogans have concerned our sales figures, such as "Three Million a Day" from 1917 or "Six Million a Day" from 1925. In terms of drinks a day, that's a vast difference from the one billion a day mark The Coca‑Cola Company passed in 1997.

Some slogans for Coca‑Cola have concentrated on the quality of the product, its refreshing taste, or even its role in entertaining, as in 1948's "Where There's Coke There's Hospitality."

In 1985, the introduction of a new taste of Coca‑Cola (commonly called new Coke® ) and the reintroduction of Coca‑Cola classic and the original formula led to multiple slogans. By 1986, two slogans were used to differentiate the brands, with "Red, White & You" for Coca‑Cola classic and "Catch the Wave" for Coca‑Cola.

Some advertisements themselves rise to the level of memorable slogans. The 1971 "Hilltop" ad featured a song with the words "I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke." Although that wasn't an actual slogan (the ad in fact was part of the "It's the Real Thing" campaign), the ad and song lyrics are still so well known today that the lyrics are considered a slogan to many.

In January 2003, the latest slogan for Coca‑Cola was introduced -- "Coca‑Cola... Real." The campaign (and slogan in turn) reflects genuine, authentic moments in life and the natural role Coca‑Cola plays in them.

Well Known Coca‑Cola Slogans From 1866 to 2006

• 1886 - Drink Coca‑Cola 
• 1904 - Delicious and Refreshing
• 1905 - Coca‑Cola Revives and Sustains
• 1906 - The Great National Temperance Beverage
• 1922 - Thirst Knows No Season
• 1923 - Enjoy Thirst
• 1924 - Refresh Yourself
• 1926 - It Had to Be Good to Get Where It Is
• 1927 - Around the Corner from Everywhere
• 1929 - The Pause that Refreshes 
  
• 1932 - Ice Cold Sunshine
• 1938 - The Best Friend Thirst Ever Had
• 1939 - Thirst Asks Nothing More
• 1939 - Whoever You Are, Whatever You Do, Wherever You May Be, When You Think of Refreshment Think of Ice Cold Coca‑Cola
• 1942 - The Only Thing Like Coca‑Cola is Coca‑Cola Itself
• 1948 - Where There's Coke There's Hospitality
• 1949 - Along the Highway to Anywhere
• 1952 - What You Want is a Coke
• 1956 - Coca‑Cola... Makes Good Things Taste Better
• 1957 - Sign of Good Taste
  
• 1958 - The Cold, Crisp Taste of Coke
• 1959 - Be Really Refreshed
• 1963 - Things Go Better with Coke
• 1969 - It's the Real Thing 
• 1971 - I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke (part of the "It's the Real Thing" campaign)
• 1976 - Coke Adds Life 
• 1979 - Have a Coke and a Smile
• 1982 - Coke Is It! 
• 1985 - We've Got a Taste for You (for both Coca‑Cola & Coca‑Cola classic)
• 1986 - Red, White & You (for Coca‑Cola classic)
• 1986 - Catch the Wave (for Coca‑Cola)
• 1988 - You Can't Beat the Feeling 
• 1989 - Official Soft Drink of Summer
• 1990 - You Can't Beat the Real Thing
• 1993 - Always Coca‑Cola
• 2000 - Coca‑Cola. Enjoy
• 2001 - Life Tastes Good
• 2003 - Coca‑Cola... Real
• 2005 - Make It Real
• 2006 - The Coke Side of Life
  
  

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