The Coca-Cola Company#Bottlers

{{Main|Coca-Cola#History}}

In July 1886, pharmacist John Stith Pemberton from Columbus, Georgia, invented the original Coca-Cola drink, which was advertised as helpful in the relief of headache, to be placed on sale primarily in drugstores as a medicinal beverage.{{cite book |title=The Cocaine War: In Context: Drugs and Politics |last=Boville Luca de Tena |first=Belén |publisher= Algora Publishing |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-87586-294-1 |pages=61–62 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QVrszTTSqasC&q=coca-cola+trace+cocaine&pg=PA61}} Pemberton had made many mixing experiments and reached his goal during the month of May, but the new product was as yet unnamed and uncarbonated.{{sfn|Garrett|1969|p=121}} Pemberton's bookkeeper, Frank Mason Robinson, is credited with naming the product and creating its logo.{{Cite news|url=https://www.today.com/food/who-invented-coca-cola-distillery-spain-says-it-created-coke-t130228|title=Where did Coca-Cola really come from? Company responds to surprising rumor|work=TODAY.com|access-date=September 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907032337/https://www.today.com/food/who-invented-coca-cola-distillery-spain-says-it-created-coke-t130228|archive-date=September 7, 2018|url-status=live}} Robinson chose the name Coca-Cola because of its two main ingredients (coca leaves and kola nuts) and because it is an alliteration. John Pemberton had taken a break and left Robinson to make, promote, and sell Coca-Cola on his own. Robinson promoted the drink with the limited budget that he had, and succeeded.{{Cite book|title=For God, Country, and Coca-Cola: The Definitive History of the Great American Soft Drink and the Company That Makes It, 3d ed.|last=Pendergrast|first=Mark|publisher=Basic Books|year=2013|location=New York}}

American businessman Asa Griggs Candler purchased the Coca-Cola formula and brand, forming the Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta in 1892. By 1895, Coca-Cola was being sold nationwide.{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/3950205/new-coke-history-america/|title=What Coca-Cola's Marketing Blunder Can Teach Us About America|magazine=Time|access-date=September 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821143146/http://time.com/3950205/new-coke-history-america/|archive-date=August 21, 2018|url-status=live}} In 1919, the company was sold to Ernest Woodruff's Trust Company of Georgia,{{Cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/strategies-coca-cola-used-to-become-an-iconic-brand-2016-2#3-it-was-distributed-in-a-proprietary-bottle-3|title=7 strategies Coca-Cola used to become one of the world's most recognizable brands|work=Business Insider|access-date=September 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907032304/https://www.businessinsider.com/strategies-coca-cola-used-to-become-an-iconic-brand-2016-2#3-it-was-distributed-in-a-proprietary-bottle-3|archive-date=September 7, 2018|url-status=live}} after which it was soon reincorporated under the Delaware General Corporation Law that same year.{{cite web|url=http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/thisday/gahistory/09/12/coca-cola-sale-completed|title=This Day in Georgia History – Coca-Cola Sale Completed – GeorgiaInfo|work=usg.edu|access-date=June 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115081202/http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/thisday/gahistory/09/12/coca-cola-sale-completed|archive-date=November 15, 2016|url-status=dead}}

Coca-Cola's first ad read "Coca Cola. Delicious! Refreshing! Exhilarating! Invigorating!" Candler was one of the first businessmen to use merchandising in his advertising strategy.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} As of 1948, Coca-Cola had claimed about 60% of its market share. By 1984, the Coca-Cola Company's market share decreased to 21.8% due to new competitors.

Coca-Cola acquired Minute Maid in 1960 for an undisclosed amount.{{cite web |url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/The-Minute-Maid-Company-Company-History.html |title=History of The Minute Maid Company |publisher=Fundinguniverse.com |access-date=July 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105061542/http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/The-Minute-Maid-Company-Company-History.html |archive-date=January 5, 2012 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|date=September 9, 1960|title=Merger Discussions Being Held By Coca-Cola and Minute Maid; Soft Drink Company Would Issue 1 Share for 2.2 of Citras Juice Concern COCA-COLA HOLDS TALKS ON MERGER (Published 1960)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1960/09/09/archives/merger-discussions-being-held-by-cocacola-and-minute-maid-soft.html|access-date=November 30, 2020|issn=0362-4331}} In 1982, it acquired the movie studio Columbia Pictures for $692 million. Coca-Cola then launched a series of entertainment takeovers, namely Merv Griffin Enterprises and Embassy Communications in the mid-1980s, forming the Entertainment Business Sector, which would later merge with Tri-Star Pictures to start out Columbia Pictures Entertainment, with CPE holding a stake in the company.{{Cite news |date=October 21, 1987 |title=Coke's EBS & Tri-Star Merge TV Biz, Forming Col Pictures TV |pages=512, 528 |work=Variety}}{{Cite news |date=October 28, 1987 |title=Coke Reorganizing TV Division After Merging It With Tri-Star; Two Execs Seek Syndie Rights |pages=43, 72 |work=Variety}} Coca-Cola sold Columbia to Sony for $3 billion in 1989.{{cite news | url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1997/10/13/232494/index.htm | title=WHERE COKE GOES FROM HERE | work=Fortune | date=October 13, 1997 | access-date=October 10, 2011 | author1=Sellers, Patricia | author2=Woods, Wilton | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110821141258/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1997/10/13/232494/index.htm | archive-date=August 21, 2011 | url-status=live }} In 1986, Coke sold off two assets, namely Presto Products and Winker-Flexible Products to an investment group led by E.O. Gaylord for $38 million.{{Cite news|date=January 15, 1986|title=Coke Sells 2 Subsids|page=34|work=Variety}}

The company acquired the Indian cola brand Thums Up in 1993,{{cite web |url=http://www.coca-colaindia.com/brands/brands_thumsup.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226224517/http://www.coca-colaindia.com/brands/brands_thumsup.aspx |archive-date=February 26, 2009 |title=Strong Cola Taste, Macho Personality}} and the American soda company Barq's in 1995.[http://barqs.com/history.html Barq's Root Beer: History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921233755/http://barqs.com/history.html |date=September 21, 2012 }}, Coca-Cola. Retrieved January 2, 2013. In 1999, Coca-Cola purchased 50% of the shares of Inca Kola for $200 million, subsequently taking control of overseas marketing and production for the brand.{{Cite web|url=https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/branding-lessons-from-inca-kola-the-peruvian-soda-that-bested-coca-cola/|title=Branding Lessons from Inca Kola, the Peruvian Soda That Bested Coca-Cola|website=Knowledge@Wharton}} In 2001, it acquired the Odwalla brand of fruit juices, smoothies, and bars for $181 million.{{cite web |url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/1435/2134401500034/filing-main.htm |title=Coca Cola, Form SC TO-T, Filing Date Oct 30, 2001 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date=March 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513115941/http://edgar.secdatabase.com/1435/2134401500034/filing-main.htm |archive-date=May 13, 2013 |url-status=live }}[https://money.cnn.com/2001/10/30/deals/coke_odwalla/ "Coke Buys Odwalla"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515110053/http://money.cnn.com/2001/10/30/deals/coke_odwalla/ |date=May 15, 2010 }}. (October 30, 2001).CNN Money. It announced Odwalla's discontinuation in 2020.{{Cite web|author=Alicia Wallace|title=Coke says it will kill more 'zombie' brands, weeks after dropping Odwalla|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/21/business/coke-zombie-brands-coronavirus/index.html|access-date=July 22, 2020|website=CNN|date=July 21, 2020 }} In 2007, it acquired Fuze Beverage from founder Lance Collins and Castanea Partners for an estimated $250 million.{{cite web |url=http://pdf.secdatabase.com/421/0001047469-07-001328.pdf |title=Coca Cola, Form 10-K, Annual Report, Filing Date Feb 21, 2007 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date=March 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513115642/http://pdf.secdatabase.com/421/0001047469-07-001328.pdf |archive-date=May 13, 2013 |url-status=live }}[http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_13073446 "Coca-Cola Buys Fuze Beverage"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511115235/http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_13073446 |date=May 11, 2011 }}. (February 12, 2007) Boulder Daily Camera.

The company's 2009 bid to buy Chinese juice maker Huiyuan Juice Group ended when China rejected its $2.4 billion bid, on the grounds the resulting company would be a virtual monopoly.{{cite web |url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/539/104746909004778/filing-main.htm |title=Coca-Cola, Form 10-Q, Quarterly Report, Filing Date Apr 30, 2009 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date=March 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513124336/http://edgar.secdatabase.com/539/104746909004778/filing-main.htm |archive-date=May 13, 2013 |url-status=live }} Nationalism was also thought to be a reason for aborting the deal.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7949903.stm | work=BBC News | title=Coke's China juice move collapses | date=March 18, 2009 | access-date=May 25, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226101755/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7949903.stm | archive-date=February 26, 2011 | url-status=live }}

In 2011, it acquired the remaining stake in Honest Tea, having bought a 40% stake in 2008 for $43 million.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cocacola-honesttea-idUSTRE72055U20110301|title=Coke buys remaining stake in Honest Tea|first=Martinne|last=Geller|work=Reuters|date=March 2011|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730170816/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cocacola-honesttea-idUSTRE72055U20110301|archive-date=July 30, 2018|url-status=live}} In 2013, it finalized its purchase of ZICO, a coconut water company.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bevnet.com/news/2013/coke-finishes-buyout-of-zico-uzzell-becomes-president-rampolla-to-advise|title=Coke Finishes Buyout of Zico; Uzzell Becomes President, Rampolla to Advise|website=BevNET.com|date=November 22, 2013|access-date=March 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308212210/http://www.bevnet.com/news/2013/coke-finishes-buyout-of-zico-uzzell-becomes-president-rampolla-to-advise|archive-date=March 8, 2016|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/news_home/Business_News/2013/11/Coca-Cola_all_in_on_coconut_wa.aspx?ID=%7B0EAB664A-7717-42BB-BAFA-8BE4E3BBDAFD%7D&cck=1|title=Coca-Cola all in on coconut water maker|access-date=March 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308180408/http://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/news_home/Business_News/2013/11/Coca-Cola_all_in_on_coconut_wa.aspx?ID=%7B0EAB664A-7717-42BB-BAFA-8BE4E3BBDAFD%7D&cck=1|archive-date=March 8, 2016|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.coca-colacompany.com/press-center/press-releases/zico-8482-beverages-joins-the-coca-cola-family/|title=ZICO Beverages Joins The Coca-Cola Family|publisher=The Coca-Cola Company|access-date=March 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308175303/http://www.coca-colacompany.com/press-center/press-releases/zico-8482-beverages-joins-the-coca-cola-family/|archive-date=March 8, 2016|url-status=live}} In August 2014, it acquired a 16.7% (currently 19.36% due to stock buy backs) stake in Monster Beverage for $2.15 billion with an option to increase it to 25%, as part of a long-term strategic partnership that includes marketing and distribution alliance, and product line swap.{{cite news|title=Beverages giant Coca-Cola acquires 16.7pc stake in Monster for $2.15bn|url=http://www.pittsburghnews.net/index.php/sid/224785733|date=August 15, 2014|access-date=August 15, 2014|publisher=Pittsburgh News.Net|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819130349/http://www.pittsburghnews.net/index.php/sid/224785733|archive-date=August 19, 2014|url-status=live}} In 2015, the company took a minority stake ownership in the cold pressed juice manufacturer, Suja Life LLC.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/coca-cola-buys-minority-stake-in-suja-life-1439998356|title=Coca-Cola Buys Minority Stake in Suja Life|last=Esterl|first=Mike|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|issn=0099-9660|access-date=March 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308190408/http://www.wsj.com/articles/coca-cola-buys-minority-stake-in-suja-life-1439998356|archive-date=March 8, 2016|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/briansolomon/2015/08/19/organic-juice-startup-suja-adds-unlikely-partners-coca-cola-goldman-sachs/|title=Organic Juice Startup Suja Adds Unlikely Partners: Coca-Cola, Goldman Sachs|website=Forbes|access-date=March 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308165726/http://www.forbes.com/sites/briansolomon/2015/08/19/organic-juice-startup-suja-adds-unlikely-partners-coca-cola-goldman-sachs/|archive-date=March 8, 2016|url-status=live}} In December 2016, it bought many of the former SABMiller's Coca-Cola operations.{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-02-01/super-bowl-advertisers-avoid-presidential-elephant-in-the-room |title=Coca-Cola Buys AB InBev Out of Africa Unit for $3.2 Billion |last=Jarvis |first=Paul |date=December 21, 2016 |website=Bloomberg News |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=February 1, 2017 |quote=Coca-Cola Co. will pay $3.15 billion to buy Anheuser-Busch InBev NV out of an African bottling joint venture ... Coca-Cola also agreed to buy AB InBev’s interest in bottling operations in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho, El Salvador, and Honduras for an undisclosed sum. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201113638/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-02-01/super-bowl-advertisers-avoid-presidential-elephant-in-the-room |archive-date=February 1, 2017 |url-status=live }} The Coca-Cola Company owns a 68.3% stake in Coca-Cola Bottlers Africa. Coca-Cola Bottlers Africa's headquarters located in Port Elizabeth South Africa.

The Coca-Cola Company acquired a 40% stake in Nigerian snack and beverage company Chi Limited on January 30, 2016. The Coca-Cola Company acquired the remaining 60% stake in Chi Ltd on January 30, 2019. In 2017, the Coca-Cola Company acquired Mexican sparkling water brand Topo Chico.{{Cite web| title = Topo Chico Acquired by Coca-Cola| work = Food & Wine| access-date = August 11, 2019| url = https://www.foodandwine.com/articles/topo-chico-coke-sold| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190811205123/https://www.foodandwine.com/articles/topo-chico-coke-sold| archive-date = August 11, 2019| url-status = live}} On August 31, 2018, it agreed to acquire Costa Coffee from Whitbread for £3.9bn. The acquisition closed on January 3, 2019.{{cite news |title=Coca-Cola to buy Costa coffee for £3.9bn or $4.9bn |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-45365893 |access-date=August 31, 2018 |work=BBC News |date=August 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831062742/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-45365893 |archive-date=August 31, 2018 |url-status=live }} During August 2018, the Coca-Cola Company acquired Moxie for an undisclosed amount.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2018/08/28/coca-cola-acquires-beloved-maine-soda-moxie/8EWByZiHnZwIp1qT4ik45M/story.html|title=Coca-Cola acquires beloved Maine soda Moxie |work=The Boston Globe|access-date=February 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424202254/https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2018/08/28/coca-cola-acquires-beloved-maine-soda-moxie/8EWByZiHnZwIp1qT4ik45M/story.html|archive-date=April 24, 2019|url-status=live}} On August 14, 2018, the Coca-Cola Company announced a minority interest in Bodyarmor.{{Cite news|last=Wiener-Bronner|first=Danielle|date=August 14, 2018|title=Coca Cola is fighting Gatorade by investing in BodyArmor|work=CNN Business|url=https://money.cnn.com/2018/08/14/news/companies/coca-cola-body-armor/index.html|access-date=May 26, 2020}} On September 19, 2018, the Coca-Cola Company acquired Organic & Raw Trading Co. Pty Ltd, the manufacturer of Mojo Kombucha in Willunga, Australia. In 2022 Coca-Cola shut down production of Mojo.{{Cite news|last=Enerva|first=Kaycee|date=November 17, 2022|title=Coke kills its Mojo: Kombucha plant shut down, brand axed|work=Inside FMCG|url=https://insidefmcg.com.au/2022/11/17/coke-kills-its-mojo-kombucha-plant-shut-down-brand-axed/|access-date=March 31, 2025}}

File:CocaColaSugarLandTX.JPG, Sugar Land, Texas, United States]]

According to the Coca-Cola Company's 2005 annual report, it had sold beverage products in more than 200 countries that year. The 2005 report further states that of the approximately 50 billion beverage servings of all types consumed worldwide, daily, beverages bearing the trademarks owned by or licensed to Coca-Cola account for more than 1.3 billion. Of these, beverages bearing the trademark "Coca-Cola" or "Coke" accounted for approximately 55% of the company's total gallon sales.{{cite web |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/21344/000104746906002588/a2167326z10-k.htm |title=Coca-Cola Company Form 10-K 2005 |publisher=SEC |access-date=May 11, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604201950/http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/21344/000104746906002588/a2167326z10-k.htm |archive-date=June 4, 2011 |url-status=live }}

In 2010, it was announced that Coca-Cola had become the first brand to top £1 billion in annual UK grocery sales.{{cite web|url=http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/Coke-sales-first-to-top.6168087.jp|title=Coke sales first to top £1bn|date=March 19, 2010|work=Edinburgh Evening News|access-date=March 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100909221400/http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/Coke-sales-first-to-top.6168087.jp|archive-date=September 9, 2010|url-status=live}} In 2017, Coca-Cola sales were down 11% from the year before due to consumer tastes shifting away from sugary drinks.{{cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/04/25/investing/coca-cola-job-cuts-earnings/index.html|title=Coca-Cola to cut 1,200 jobs as sales slump|date=April 25, 2017|work=CNN|access-date=July 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711133637/http://money.cnn.com/2017/04/25/investing/coca-cola-job-cuts-earnings/index.html|archive-date=July 11, 2017|url-status=live}}

File:Coca Cola 1929.JPG

Since 1919, Coca-Cola has been a publicly traded company.{{sfn|Butler|Tischler|2015|p=38}} Its stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "KO".{{cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/KO?p=KO|title=The Coco-Cola Company|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228065816/https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/KO?p=KO|archive-date=February 28, 2019}} One share of stock purchased in 1919 for $40, with all dividends reinvested, would have been worth $9.8 million in 2012, a 10.7% annual increase adjusted for inflation.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/08/14/coca-cola-stock-share-worth-millions/|title=One Share of Stock Now Worth $9.8 Million – Is It Really Possible?|author=Wiederman, Adam J.|date=August 14, 2012|website=DailyFinance.com|access-date=November 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115161117/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/08/14/coca-cola-stock-share-worth-millions/|archive-date=November 15, 2012|url-status=live}} A predecessor bank of SunTrust received $100,000 for underwriting Coca-Cola's 1919 public offering; the bank sold that stock for over $2 billion in 2012.{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/steveschaefer/2012/09/07/suntrust-dumps-93-year-old-stake-in-coca-cola-collects-a-tidy-two-million-percent-return/|title=SunTrust Sells Coca-Cola Stake After 93 Years, Collects A Tidy Two Million Percent Return|last=Schaefer|first=Steve|website=Forbes|language=en|access-date=October 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030193745/https://www.forbes.com/sites/steveschaefer/2012/09/07/suntrust-dumps-93-year-old-stake-in-coca-cola-collects-a-tidy-two-million-percent-return/|archive-date=October 30, 2019|url-status=live}} In 1987, Coca-Cola once again became one of the 30 stocks which makes up the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which is commonly referenced as a proxy for stock market performance; it had previously been a Dow stock from 1932 to 1935.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/11/05/decades-of-great-performance-from-9-dow-stocks/|title=Decades of Great Performance From 9 Dow Stocks|date=November 5, 2011|work=DailyFinance.com|access-date=November 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104053233/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/11/05/decades-of-great-performance-from-9-dow-stocks/|archive-date=November 4, 2012|url-status=live}} Coca-Cola has paid a dividend since 1920 and, as of 2019, had increased it each year for 57 years straight.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dividend.com/dividend-stocks/consumer-goods/beverages-soft-drinks/ko-coca-cola-co/|title=KO: Dividend Date & History for Coca-Cola Co.|website=Dividend.com|access-date=June 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606012248/https://www.dividend.com/dividend-stocks/consumer-goods/beverages-soft-drinks/ko-coca-cola-co/|archive-date=June 6, 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thestreet.com/investing/stocks/coca-cola-raises-dividend-for-57th-consecutive-year-14874187|title=Coca-Cola Raises Dividend for 57th Consecutive Year|last=Owusu|first=Tony|date=February 21, 2019|website=TheStreet|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228065918/https://www.thestreet.com/investing/stocks/coca-cola-raises-dividend-for-57th-consecutive-year-14874187|archive-date=February 28, 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/story/2012-07-10/coca-cola-stock-split/56128588/1|title=Coca-Cola shareholders OK 2-for-1 stock split|work=USA Today|access-date=November 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009062728/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/story/2012-07-10/coca-cola-stock-split/56128588/1|archive-date=October 9, 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.coca-colacompany.com/investors/investors-info-dividends|title=Investors Info: Dividends|website=coca-colacompany.com|access-date=February 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422152105/https://www.coca-colacompany.com/investors/investors-info-dividends|archive-date=April 22, 2019|url-status=live}}

The 10 largest shareholder of Coca-Cola in March 2025 were:{{Cite web |title=The Coca-Cola Company: Shareholders Board Members Managers and Company Profile {{!}} US1912161007 {{!}} MarketScreener |url=https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/THE-COCA-COLA-COMPANY-4819/company/ |access-date=2024-07-11 |website=www.marketscreener.com |language=en}}

{{Main|Category:Coca-Cola people}}

The following are key management as of March 2023 (excluding VP positions and regional leaders):{{cite web|url=https://www.coca-colacompany.com/about-us/leadership|title=Our Executive Leadership Team|website=The Coca-Cola Company|access-date=June 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601055625/https://www.coca-colacompany.com/about-us/leadership|archive-date=June 1, 2023|url-status=live}}

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• James Quincey (Chairman of the Board and chief executive officer)
• Manuel Arroyo (global chief marketing officer)
• Henrique Braun (president, international development)
• Jennifer Mann (president, North America operating unit)
• Lisa Chang (global chief people officer)
• Murat Ozgel (president, Bottling Investments Group)
• Monica Howard Douglas (general counsel)
• Nancy Quan (chief technical and innovation officer)
• Beatriz Perez (chief of communications, sustainability & strategic partnerships)
• John Murphy (president and chief financial officer)
• Roberto Mercade (president, The McDonald's Division)

}}

The following are all directors as of March 2023:

{{See also|Category:Directors of The Coca-Cola Company}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=400px|rules=yes|

• Herbert Allen Jr.
• Marc Bolland
• Ana Botín
• Christopher Davis
• Barry Diller
• Carolyn Everson
• Helene D. Gayle
• Alexis M. Herman
• Maria Elena Lagomasino
• Caroline Tsay
• David B. Weinberg

}}

File:Flasche Coca-Cola 0,2 Liter.jpg]]

In general, the Coca-Cola Company and its subsidiaries only produce syrup concentrate, as well as sourcing beverage base including coffee beans, tea leaf, juices, etc., which is then sold to various bottlers throughout the world who hold a local Coca-Cola franchise.{{Cite web|title=The Coca-Cola Company {{!}} History, Products, & Facts|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Coca-Cola-Company|access-date=November 30, 2020|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}} Coca-Cola bottlers, who hold territorially exclusive contracts with the company, produce the finished product in packages from the concentrate and beverage base, in combination with filtered water and sweeteners. The bottlers then sell, distribute, and merchandise the Coca-Cola product to retail stores, vending machines, restaurants, and food service distributors. Outside the United States, these bottlers also control the fountain business.{{citation needed|date=July 2016}}

Since the 1980s, the company has actively encouraged the consolidation of bottlers, with the company often owning a share of these "anchor bottlers".{{cite web|last1=Harris|first1=Rosemary|title=From humble beginnings|url=http://www.brentwheeler.com/from-humble-beginnings/|publisher=Brent Wheeler Group Limited|access-date=August 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919203539/http://www.brentwheeler.com/from-humble-beginnings/|archive-date=September 19, 2016|url-status=dead}}

In January 2006, the company formed the Bottling Investments Group (BIG), by bringing company-owned bottling operations together to strategically invest in select bottling operations, temporarily taking them under Coca-Cola ownership, and utilizing the leadership and resources of the company. Also, the company has accelerated refranchising both company-owned bottlers and independent bottling partners to consolidate their operations and move away from the capital-intensive and low-margin business of bottling, with maintaining minor share ownership of these consolidated bottlers and secure the right to nominate directors and/or executives through shareholders agreement and/or capital and business alliance agreement.[https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1650107/000119312515403749/d42920df4.htm#rom42920_99 Coca-Cola European Partners F-4 Registration of securities, foreign private issuers, business combinations, December 15, 2015][https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1672908/000119312517054853/d227961df4.htm#rom227961_35 Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan, F-4, February 24, 2027, ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF CAPITAL AND BUSINESS ALLIANCE AGREEMENT]

As a result of the refranchising and bottler consolidations, multi-national/large-scale bottlers and three U.S.-based bottlers now dominate the manufacturing and distribution of the company's products except the territories managed by BIG bottlers.

Multi-national/large-scale bottlers

• Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC: Headquartered in the UK, operates 29 countries in Western Europe, Oceania, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. The company owns 19.36%.
• Coca-Cola FEMSA: Headquartered in Mexico, operating in Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The company owns 27.8%.
• Arca Continental: Headquartered in Mexico, operating in Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, and the southwestern U.S. (Texas and parts of New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Arkansas). (Independent)
• Embotelladora Andina (Coca-Cola Andina): Headquartered in Chile, operating in Argentine, Chile, Brazil, and Paraguay. The company owns 14.7% of series A common stock outstanding & 14.7% of series B common stock outstanding.
• Coca-Cola HBC AG: Headquartered in Switzerland, operating 28 countries in Western, Central, and Eastern Europe, Russia, and Nigeria. The company owns 23.2%.
• Coca-Cola Icecek: Headquartered in Turkey, operates in the Middle East and Central Asian Countries (Turkey, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Iraq, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Jordan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Syria). The company owns 20.1%.
• Swire Coca-Cola: Headquartered in Hong Kong, operates in 11 provinces and Shanghai municipality in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Vietnam, Cambodia, and 13 states in the U.S.{{Cite web|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Food-Beverage/Swire-buys-Coca-Cola-bottlers-in-Vietnam-Cambodia-for-1bn2|title=Swire buys Coca-Cola bottlers in Vietnam, Cambodia for $1bn|website=Nikkei Asia}}
• COFCO Coca-Cola: Operates 19 provinces and municipalities in China, a joint venture between COFCO Corporation and the Coca-Cola Company with 35% ownership.
• Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Holdings: Headquartered and operates in Japan, covering ~90% of the volume sold in Japan. The company owns 18.88%.

Bottlers headquartered and operated in the U.S.

• Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, based in Charlotte, North Carolina. 34.8% owned by the Coca-Cola Company and listed on the NASDAQ.
• Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, based in Bedford, New Hampshire, and owned by Kirin Holdings.
• Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, based in Birmingham, Alabama (independent)
• Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, based in Tampa, Florida, and is a certified Minority owned business.

Company-owned bottling operation is now managed under BIG, which covers operations in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Philippines, Singapore, and Sri Lanka as well as eastern African operation by Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. In 2021, the company announced its intention to list Coca-Cola Beverages Africa as a publicly traded company. However, in June 2022 it announced that it was delaying this plan, pending an evaluation of macroeconomic conditions.{{cite press release| title=The Coca-Cola Company Announces Plans to Delay Listing of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa as a Publicly Traded Company | website=coca-colacompany.com | date=2022-06-14 | url=https://www.coca-colacompany.com/press-releases/coca-cola-plans-to-delay-listing-of-ccba | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814071314/https://www.coca-colacompany.com/press-releases/coca-cola-plans-to-delay-listing-of-ccba | archive-date=2022-08-14 | url-status=dead }}

{{Main|List of Coca-Cola brands}}

{{See also|List of assets owned by The Coca-Cola Company}}

File:Coca-Cola offices (Madrid, Spain) 04.jpg (Spain)]]

As of 2020, the Coca-Cola Company offers more than 500 brands in over 200 countries. In September 2020, the company announced that it would cut more than half of its brands, as a result of the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news |last=Maloney |first=Jennifer |date=October 16, 2020 |title=Tab, Coca-Cola's Diet-Soda Pioneer and a '70s Icon, Is Going Away |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/tab-coca-colas-diet-soda-pioneer-and-a-70s-icon-is-going-away-11602847800?mod=business_lead_pos5 |access-date=October 16, 2020 |work=The Wall Street Journal}}

Coca-Cola bought Columbia Pictures in 1982, owing to the low monetary value of the studio. The film company was the first and only studio ever owned by Coca-Cola. During its ownership of the studio, Columbia released many popular films including Ghostbusters, Stripes, The Karate Kid, and some others. However, two years after the critical and commercial failure of the 1987 film Ishtar, Columbia was spun-off and then sold to Tokyo-based Sony in 1989.

{{Main|World of Coca-Cola}}

Coca-Cola operates a soft drink themed tourist attraction in Atlanta, Georgia; the World of Coca-Cola is a multi-storied exhibition. It features flavor sampling and a history museum, with locations in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Lake Buena Vista, Florida.{{cite web |title=Coca-Cola Store |url=http://www.worldofcoca-cola.com/explore/explore-inside/explore-coca-cola-store/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202044854/http://www.worldofcoca-cola.com/explore/explore-inside/explore-coca-cola-store/ |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |access-date=January 26, 2017 |website=World of Coca-Cola}}{{cite news |last1=Caslin |first1=Yvette |date=January 19, 2017 |title=Creative artists, social media masters inspire new World of Coca-Cola gallery |url=http://rollingout.com/2017/01/19/creative-artists-social-media-masters-inspire-new-world-of-coca-cola-gallery/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129220703/http://rollingout.com/2017/01/19/creative-artists-social-media-masters-inspire-new-world-of-coca-cola-gallery/ |archive-date=January 29, 2017 |access-date=January 26, 2017 |publisher=Rolling Out}}

File:Last Minute Refreshment.jpg

The Coca-Cola Company also produces a number of other soft drinks including Fanta (introduced circa 1941), Sprite and Lilt, which was discontinued after 50 years and renamed Fanta Pineapple & Grapefruit.{{Cite news |date=2023-02-13 |title=Lilt drink brand to be scrapped and renamed Fanta |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-64629080 |access-date=2024-05-24 |language=en-GB}} Fanta's origins date back to World War II during a trade embargo against Germany on cola syrup, making it impossible to sell Coca-Cola in Germany. Max Keith, the head of Coca-Cola's German office during the war, decided to create a new product for the German market, made only from products available in Germany at the time, which they named Fanta.{{cite web |last=Mikkelson |first=Barbara |date=April 29, 2011 |title=The Reich Stuff? |url=http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/fanta.asp |access-date=May 8, 2014 |publisher=Snopes}} The drink proved to be a hit, and when Coke took over again after the war, it adopted the Fanta brand as well. Fanta was originally an orange-flavored soft drink that can come in plastic bottles or cans. It has become available in many different flavors now such as grape, peach, apple, pineapple, and strawberry.

In 1961, Coca-Cola introduced Sprite, a lemon-lime soft drink, another of the company's bestsellers and its response to 7 Up.

Tab was Coca-Cola's first attempt to develop a diet soft drink, using saccharin as a sugar substitute. Introduced in 1963, the product was sold until fall 2020,{{Cite news |last=James |first=Leggate |date=October 16, 2020 |title=Coca-Cola will stop making Tab diet soda, company announces |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/coca-cola-stop-making-tab-diet-soda |access-date= |work=Fox Business}} although its sales had dwindled since the introduction of Diet Coke.{{cite news |last1=Estes |first1=Adam |title=A Brief History of Racist Soft Drinks |url=http://www.thewire.com/national/2013/01/brief-history-racist-soft-drinks/61515/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822013457/http://www.thewire.com/national/2013/01/brief-history-racist-soft-drinks/61515/ |archive-date=August 22, 2016 |access-date=August 10, 2016 |work=The Wire}}

Coca-Cola South Africa also released Valpre Bottled "still" and "sparkling" water.

In 1969, the company released Simba, which was a take on Mountain Dew, and had packaging that was African desert-themed, replete with an African Lion as the symbol of the brand. The tagline was "Simba – It Conquers the African Thirst."

Also in 1969, the company released a line of products under the name of Santiba, which was targeted for mixing cocktails and party usage, products including Quinine water and Ginger Ale. Like the above-mentioned Simba, the Santiba line of products was short-lived in the marketplace.

{{Main|BreakMate}}

No longer manufactured, the Coca-Cola BreakMate was a three-flavor dispenser introduced by Coca-Cola and Siemens in 1988. Intended for use in offices with five to fifty people,{{cite news |date=November 19, 1988 |title=Coca-Cola seeping into coffee breaks |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1310&dat=19881119&id=beZVAAAAIBAJ&pg=3496,4781541 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403174211/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1310&dat=19881119&id=beZVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0eEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3496,4781541 |archive-date=April 3, 2016 |access-date=March 16, 2016 |publisher=Eugene Register-Guard}} its refrigerated compartment held three individual one-litre plastic containers of soda syrup and a CO₂ tank. Like a soda fountain, it mixed syrup in a 1:5 ratio with carbonated water. In North America, Coca-Cola discontinued spare BreakMate parts in 2007 and stopped distributing the syrup in 2010.{{cite web |date=January 28, 2011 |title=Coca Cola Refreshments Discontinues BreakMate Syrup |url=http://www.vendingmarketwatch.com/news/10267188/coca-cola-refreshments-discontinues-breakmate-syrup |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814130040/http://www.vendingmarketwatch.com/news/10267188/coca-cola-refreshments-discontinues-breakmate-syrup |archive-date=August 14, 2014 |access-date=September 21, 2014 |work=VendingMarketWatch}}

During the 1990s, the company responded to the growing consumer interest in healthy beverages by introducing several new non-carbonated beverage brands. These included Minute Maid Juices to Go, Powerade sports beverage, flavored tea Nestea (in a joint venture with Nestlé), Fruitopia fruit drink, and Dasani water, among others. In 2001, the Minute Maid division launched the Simply Orange brand of juices including orange juice. In 2016, Coca-Cola India introduced Vio to enter into the value-added dairy category. The product lays the foundation for Coca-Cola's new segment after carbonated beverages, water and juices.{{Cite web |title=Coca-Cola India Enters Dairy Market With VIO Flavored Milk |url=http://www.coca-colacompany.com/stories/coca-cola-india-enters-dairy-market-with-vio-flavored-milk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170407143024/http://www.coca-colacompany.com/stories/coca-cola-india-enters-dairy-market-with-vio-flavored-milk |archive-date=April 7, 2017 |access-date=June 22, 2016 |publisher=The Coca-Cola Company}}

In 2004, perhaps in response to the burgeoning popularity of low-carbohydrate diets such as the Atkins diet, Coca-Cola announced its intention to develop and sell a low-carbohydrate alternative to Coke Classic, dubbed C2 Cola. C2 contains a mix of high fructose corn syrup, aspartame, sucralose, and Acesulfame potassium. C2 is designed to more closely emulate the taste of Coca-Cola Classic. Even with less than half of the food energy and carbohydrates of standard soft drinks, C2 is not a replacement for zero-calorie soft drinks such as Diet Coke. C2 went on sale in the U.S. on June 11, 2004, and in Canada in August 2004; it was replaced in 2013 by Coca-Cola Life.

Starting in 2009, the Coca-Cola Company invested in Innocent Drinks, first with a minor stake, increasing to 90% in the first quarter of 2013.{{Citation |last=Neate |first=Rupert |title=Coca-Cola takes full control of Innocent |date=February 22, 2013 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/feb/22/coca-cola-full-control-innocent |access-date=June 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729200236/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/feb/22/coca-cola-full-control-innocent |archive-date=July 29, 2017 |url-status=live |location=London (I believe) |publisher='’The Guardian'’}}

It was in May 2014 when Finley, a sparkling fruit-flavored drink, was launched in France. It was launched in other countries later,{{Citation |last=Inge |first=Sophie |title=Coca-Cola launches new soft drink in France |date=May 5, 2014 |newspaper=The Local France |url=https://www.thelocal.fr/20140505/coca-cola-launches-new-soft-drink-in-france |access-date=June 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820045209/https://www.thelocal.fr/20140505/coca-cola-launches-new-soft-drink-in-france |archive-date=August 20, 2017 |url-status=live |publisher=thelocal.fr}} including Belgium and Luxembourg in September 2014. Coca-Cola first started developing the drink in Belgium in 2001.{{Citation |last=Bouchkley |first=Ben |title=Coke Launches adult soft drink Finley in Belgium to stem adult soft drinks age decline |date=September 4, 2014 |work=Beverage Daily |url=http://www.beveragedaily.com/Markets/Coke-launches-adult-soft-drink-Finley-in-Belgium-Luxembourg |access-date=June 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730052332/http://www.beveragedaily.com/Markets/Coke-launches-adult-soft-drink-Finley-in-Belgium-Luxembourg |archive-date=July 30, 2017 |url-status=live}} As of 2014, the drink is targeted for adults, and is low in sugar with four flavors.

Coca-Cola is the best-selling soft drink in most countries, and was recognized as the number one global brand in 2010.{{cite web |title=Best Global Brands Ranking for 2010 |url=http://www.interbrand.com/en/best-global-brands/best-global-brands-2008/best-global-brands-2010.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110212184731/http://www.interbrand.com/en/best-global-brands/best-global-brands-2008/best-global-brands-2010.aspx |archive-date=February 12, 2011 |access-date=July 29, 2012 |publisher=Interbrand.com}} While the Middle East is one of the few regions in the world where Coca-Cola is not the number one soda drink, Coca-Cola nonetheless holds almost 25% market share (to Pepsi's 75%) and had double-digit growth in 2003.{{cite news |date=April 8, 2004 |title=Coke and Pepsi battle it out |url=http://www.ameinfo.com/37492.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060408053252/http://www.ameinfo.com/37492.html |archive-date=April 8, 2006 |access-date=May 11, 2006 |publisher=AME Info}} Similarly, in Scotland, where the locally produced Irn-Bru was once more popular, 2005 figures show that both Coca-Cola and Diet Coke now outsell Irn-Bru.{{cite news |last=Murden |first=Terry |date=January 30, 2005 |title=Coke adds life to health drinks sector |url=http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/business.cfm?id=112872005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050304094426/http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/business.cfm?id=112872005 |archive-date=March 4, 2005 |access-date=May 11, 2006 |work=The Scotsman |location=UK |series=Scotland on Sunday}} In Peru, the native Inca Kola has been more popular than Coca-Cola, which prompted Coca-Cola to enter in negotiations with the soft drink's company and buy 50% of its stakes. In Japan, the best selling soft drink is not cola, as (canned) tea and coffee are more popular.{{Cite web |title=Japan Soft Drink Association |url=http://www.j-sda.or.jp/engish/tou-eng/en_hinmoku/hin_eng.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070214152424/http://www.j-sda.or.jp/engish/tou-eng/en_hinmoku/hin_eng.htm |archive-date=February 14, 2007}} As such, the Coca-Cola Company's best selling brand there is not Coca-Cola, but Georgia.[http://www.ccwh.co.jp/pdf/ir/presentation/ccwh/ks_h20q2.pdf Coca-Cola West Japan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080923201242/http://www.ccwh.co.jp/pdf/ir/presentation/ccwh/ks_h20q2.pdf|date=September 23, 2008}} IR report (in Japanese), 2008. In May 2016, the Coca-Cola Company temporarily halted production of its signature drink in Venezuela due to sugar shortages.{{cite web |date=May 24, 2016 |title=Sugar shortage hits Coke in Venezuela |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36365336 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527001409/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36365336 |archive-date=May 27, 2016 |access-date=July 30, 2018 |publisher=BBC}} Since then, the Coca-Cola Company has been using "minimum inventories of raw material" to make their signature drinks at two production plants in Venezuela.{{cite web |date=July 1, 2016 |title=Coca-Cola lanza en Venezuela bebida sin caloría |url=http://elestimulo.com/elinteres/coca-cola-lanza-en-venezuela-bebida-libre-de-azucar/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623222135/http://elestimulo.com/elinteres/coca-cola-lanza-en-venezuela-bebida-libre-de-azucar/ |archive-date=June 23, 2018 |access-date=July 30, 2018 |website=Elestimulo.com}}

On July 6, 2006, a Coca-Cola employee and two other people were arrested and charged with trying to sell trade secret information to the soft drink maker's competitor PepsiCo for $1.5 million. The recipe for Coca-Cola, perhaps the company's most closely guarded secret, was never in jeopardy; instead, the information was related to a new beverage in development. Coca-Cola executives verified that the trade secret documents in question were genuine and proprietary to the company. At least one glass vial containing a sample of a new drink was offered for sale, court documents said. The conspiracy was revealed by PepsiCo, which notified authorities when it was approached by the conspirators.{{cite news |last=Day |first=Kathleen |date=July 6, 2006 |title=3 Accused in Theft of Coke Secrets |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/05/AR2006070501717.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726064647/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/05/AR2006070501717.html |archive-date=July 26, 2008 |access-date=July 15, 2006 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

The company announced a new "negative calorie" green tea drink, Enviga, in 2006, along with trying coffee retail concepts Far Coast and Chaqwa.

On May 25, 2007, Coca-Cola announced it would purchase Glaceau, a maker of flavored vitamin-enhanced drinks (vitamin water), flavored waters, and Burn energy drinks, for $4.1 billion in cash.{{cite web |author=McWilliams, Jeremiah |date=January 30, 2010 |title=Coke, Pepsi battle over bottled water |url=https://www.ajc.com/business/coke-pepsi-battle-over-bottled-water/Bg7RosNcmLbGQOYXFHuvAL/ |access-date=August 18, 2021 |publisher=Atlanta Journal-Constitution}}

On September 3, 2008, Coca-Cola announced its intention to make cash offers to purchase China Huiyuan Juice Group Limited (which had a 42% share of the Chinese pure fruit juice market{{Cite news |last=Tucker |first=Sundeep |date=March 17, 2009 |title=Coca-Cola's $2.4bn China deal at risk |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/daf851e8-1327-11de-a170-0000779fd2ac.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924145337/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/daf851e8-1327-11de-a170-0000779fd2ac.html |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |access-date=March 17, 2009 |newspaper=Financial Times |location=Hong Kong}}) for US$2.4bn (HK$12.20 per share).{{cite web |title=THE COCA-COLA COMPANY Media Center |url=http://www.coca-colacompany.com/media-center/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121226040243/http://www.coca-colacompany.com/media-center/ |archive-date=December 26, 2012 |access-date=December 19, 2012}} China's ministry of commerce blocked the deal on March 18, 2009, arguing that the deal would hurt small local juice companies, could have pushed up juice market prices, and limited consumers' choices.{{Cite news |last=Tucker |first=Sundeep |date=March 18, 2009 |title=China blocks Coca-Cola bid for Huiyuan |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5c645830-1391-11de-9e32-0000779fd2ac.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522083149/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5c645830-1391-11de-9e32-0000779fd2ac.html |archive-date=May 22, 2009 |access-date=March 18, 2009 |newspaper=Financial Times |location=Hong Kong}}

In October 2009, Coca-Cola revealed its new 90-calorie mini can that holds 7.5 fluid ounces.{{cite news |author=Plumb, Tierney |date=October 14, 2009 |title=Coca-Cola to unveil mini cans in D.C. |url=http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2009/10/12/daily45.html?ana=from_rss |work=Washington Business Journal/Bizjournals.com}} The mini can is often sold in 8 packs. Despite costing nearly 30 percent more per ounce, the mini cans have been met with positive sales figures.{{Cite web |last=Tuttle |first=Brad |date=January 15, 2015 |title=How Coke Convinced Us to Pay More … for Less Soda |url=https://money.com/mini-coke-cans-trend-value-price/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502125039/https://money.com/mini-coke-cans-trend-value-price/ |archive-date=May 2, 2022 |access-date=October 5, 2015 |website=MONEY.com}}

In November 2011, Coca-Cola revealed a seasonal design for its regular Coke cans as part of a partnership with the World Wildlife Fund. However, it was withdrawn only a month after release due to consumer complaints about a similar look to the silver cans commonly used for Diet Coke. There were also complaints about deviating from traditional red as the color of Coca-Cola cans previously.{{cite news |last=Esterl |first=Mike |date=December 1, 2011 |title=A Frosty Reception for Coca-Cola's White Christmas Cans |url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204012004577070521211375302.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207121348/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204012004577070521211375302.html |archive-date=February 7, 2012 |access-date=February 6, 2012 |work=The Wall Street Journal}}

It was announced on August 14, 2014, that the Coca-Cola Company was making a cash payment of $2.15 billion for a 16.7 percent stake in Monster Beverage Corp to expand its market for energy drinks, with Coke to transfer ownership in Full Throttle and Burn to Monster and Monster to transfer its ownership in Hansen's Natural Sodas, Peace Iced Tea, and Blue Sky Soda to the Coca-Cola Company. Muhtar Kent, Coke's former chief executive officer, stated that the company has the option to increase its stake to 25 percent but could not exceed that percentage in the next four years.{{cite news |last1=ATHAVALEY |first1=ANJALI |date=August 15, 2014 |title=Coca-Cola pays $2.2 billion for major stake in Monster Beverage |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-coca-cola-idUSKBN0GE2C920140815 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815063129/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/15/us-coca-cola-idUSKBN0GE2C920140815 |archive-date=August 15, 2014 |access-date=August 15, 2014 |work=Reuters}}{{cite news |last1=Gelles |first1=David |date=August 14, 2014 |title=Coke to Buy Stake in Monster Beverage for $2.15 Billion |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/08/14/coke-to-buy-stake-in-monster-beverage-for-2-15-billion/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420135901/https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/08/14/coke-to-buy-stake-in-monster-beverage-for-2-15-billion/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0 |archive-date=April 20, 2018 |access-date=August 15, 2014 |work=The New York Times}}

In 2021, the Coca-Cola Co used its Mexican{{Cite web |title=Topo Chico - Brands & Products |url=https://www.coca-colacompany.com/brands/topo-chico |website=The Coca-Cola Company}} sparkling mineral water brand Topo Chico to launch a range of vegan friendly{{Cite web |date=May 3, 2021 |title=Coca Cola's First Alcoholic Drink - Topo Chico Hard Seltzer - Off To a "Promising Start" |url=https://vegconomist.com/products-and-launches/coca-colas-first-alcoholic-drink-topo-chico-hard-seltzer-off-to-a-promising-start/}} alcoholic hard seltzers in the United Kingdom and in the United States.{{Cite web |title=Age Verification | Topo Chico Hard Seltzer |url=https://www.topochicohardseltzerusa.com/av?url=https://www.topochicohardseltzerusa.com/ |website=www.topochicohardseltzerusa.com}}{{Cite web |last=Woolfson2020-10-27T11:40:00+00:00 |first=Daniel |title=Coca-Cola enters UK booze market with Topo Chico hard seltzer |url=https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/new-product-development/coca-cola-enters-uk-booze-market-with-topo-chico-hard-seltzer/649763.article |website=The Grocer}}{{Cite web |title=We Taste-Tested Topo Chico's 4 New Spiked Seltzers, So You Don't Have To |url=https://www.southernliving.com/drinks/topo-chico-hard-seltzer |website=Southern Living}}

File:'96-'02 Chevrolet Express Wagon Coca-Cola.jpg van bearing the logo of the Coca-Cola Company]]

Coca-Cola advertising has "been among the most prolific in marketing history," with a notable and major impact on popular culture and society.{{cite book|author=Stringer, G. |date=2015|title= Case Study: Coca Cola Integrated Marketing Communications|url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/case-study-coca-cola-integrated-marketing-gregory-stringer}} The company in recent years has spent approximately an annual $4 billion globally to promote its drinks to the public; and spent approximately $4.24 billion on advertising in fiscal year 2019, most of which was spent to advertise Coca-Cola.Investopedia, August 10, 2021 [https://www.investopedia.com/articles/markets/081315/look-cocacolas-advertising-expenses.asp "A Look at Coca-Cola's Advertising Expenses"]

Coca-Cola advertises through direct marketing, web-based media, social media, text messaging, and sales promotions. The company also markets via mobile marketing in text messages, e.g. viral marketing campaigns.

Fan engagement spans 86 million globally across social media channels: online interaction, and social, cultural, or sporting events.

In the retail setting, direct store beverage delivery trucks (mobile advertising) as well as point of sale coolers and vending machines have bright red logo blazoned branding.

As part of its corporate propaganda campaign to deflect public attention away from the harmful health effects of its sugary drinks, the Coca-Cola Company has funded front organizations.

The Beverage Institute for Health and Wellness was led by Rhona S. Applebaum, who was also the Coca-Cola Company's Chief Science and Health Officer. It was announced in 2005, when Coca-Cola executive Donald Short, then the company's vice president, published a paper about his company's commitments to consumers' health in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.{{Cite journal

| last1 = Short | first1 = D.

| title = When science met the consumer: The role of industry

| journal = The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

| volume = 82

| issue = 1 Suppl

| pages = 256S–258S

| year = 2005

| pmid = 16002832

| doi = 10.1093/ajcn/82.1.256S

| doi-access = free

}} Their paid advisers include Baylor College of Medicine researcher John Foreyt.{{cite web | url=http://www.houstonpress.com/2005-05-19/news/sugar-coated/ | title=Sugar Coated | work=Houston Press | date=May 19, 2005 | accessdate=April 22, 2014 | author=Malisow, Craig}} The Institute "sponsors continuing professional education for registered dietitians, nurses and other professionals."{{cite web | url=http://articles.philly.com/2012-02-08/news/31038027_1_coca-cola-north-america-healthy-lifestyle-choices-long-term-health | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016102756/http://articles.philly.com/2012-02-08/news/31038027_1_coca-cola-north-america-healthy-lifestyle-choices-long-term-health | url-status=dead | archive-date=October 16, 2013 | title=Critics pounce on Coke, Pepsi health initiatives | work=Philly.com | date=February 8, 2012 | accessdate=August 22, 2013 | author=Deardorff, Julie}} This has led critics to say that "corporate influence is both tainting the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics's reputation and affecting its positions."{{cite web | url=http://www.ibtimes.com/nutrition-industry-sold-out-coca-cola-pepsico-kellogg-hershey-other-junk-food-giants-registered | title=Nutrition Industry Sold Out To Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Kellogg, Hershey And Other Junk Food Giants, Registered Dietitians Say | work=International Business Times | date=July 12, 2013 | accessdate=August 24, 2013 | author=Zara, Christopher}}

The company funded creation of the front organization the Global Energy Balance Network (GEBN) to address the growing evidence that the company's products are a leading cause of the epidemic of childhood obesity in the United States and the growing number of Americans, including children, with type 2 diabetes. GEBN designed its own studies to arrive at conclusions set in advance and cherry picked data to support its corporate public relations agenda. After an August 2015 investigative report exposed the GEBN as a Coca-Cola Company front organization, GEBN was shut down.Clifford D. Conner, "The Tragedy of American Science, from Truman to Trump" (Chicago: Haymarket Books, 2020), pp. 14–16

Three years after the shutdown of GEBN, the company, together with several other junk food giants, was revealed to be behind an initiative in China called "Happy 10 Minutes", funded through a group called the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI). The aim of the initiative was to address decades of research on diet-related diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes and hypertension, by promoting physical exercise to the population but avoiding discussion of the link between such diseases and junk foods, including sugary drinks.New York Times, January 9, 2019 [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/09/health/obesity-china-coke.html "How Chummy Are Junk Food Giants and China’s Health Officials? They Share Offices"] ILSI through the 1980s and 1990s had been promoting the tobacco industry's agenda in Europe and the United States.New York Times, September 16, 2019 [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/16/health/ilsi-food-policy-india-brazil-china.html "A Shadowy Industry Group Shapes Food Policy Around the World"]

Coca-Cola's advertising expenses accounted for US$3.256 billion in 2011.{{citation|title=2011 Annual Report|url=http://www.coca-colacompany.com/investors/2011-annual-report-on-form-10-k|access-date=January 4, 2013|format=PDF|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130215185413/http://www.coca-colacompany.com/investors/2011-annual-report-on-form-10-k|archive-date=February 15, 2013|url-status=live}}

Coca-Cola sponsored the English Football League from the beginning of the 2004–05 season (beginning August 2004) to the start of 2010–11 season, when the Football League replaced it with NPower.{{citation needed|date=December 2016}} Along with this, Coca-Cola sponsored the Coca-Cola Football Camp, that took place in Pretoria, South Africa during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

Other major sponsorships include the AFL, NHRA, NASCAR, the PGA Tour, NCAA Championships, the Olympic Games, the NRL, the FIFA World Cups, Premier League and the UEFA European Championships.{{citation needed|date=December 2016}} The company partnered with Panini to produce the first virtual sticker album for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and they have collaborated for every World Cup since.{{cite news |title=12 Years Running: Panini's FIFA World Cup Digital Sticker Album is More Popular Than Ever |url=https://www.coca-colacompany.com/stories/paninis-fifa-world-cup-digital-sticker-album-is-more-popular#ath |access-date=October 5, 2018 |publisher=Coca Cola Company |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005111908/https://www.coca-colacompany.com/stories/paninis-fifa-world-cup-digital-sticker-album-is-more-popular#ath |archive-date=October 5, 2018 |url-status=live }} Each fall, Coca-Cola is the sponsor of the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola held at the East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia. The Tour Championship is the season-ending tournament of the PGA Tour.{{cite web|url=https://www.tourchampionship.com/news/2023/05/24/the-coca-cola-company-renews-as-proud-partner-of-the-tour-championship|title=The Coca-Cola Company Renews as Proud Partner of the TOUR Championship|website=Tour Championship|date=May 23, 2023|access-date=October 6, 2024}} In the Philippines, it had a team in the Philippine Basketball Association, the Powerade Tigers.{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/remembering-the-coca-cola-powerade-tigers-franchise-a795-20210401|title=Coca-Cola/ Powerade Tigers' PBA run was short and sweet|website=spin.ph|last=Terrado|first=Reuben|date=April 1, 2021|access-date=October 6, 2024}}

In 2017, Major League Baseball signed a multi-year deal with Coca-Cola to be the official soft drink, replacing Pepsi. Nineteen MLB teams (Los Angeles Angels, Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, Washington Nationals, San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Texas Rangers, Tampa Bay Rays, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, Colorado Rockies and Chicago White Sox ) have Coca-Cola products sold in their ballparks. In 2023, the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers added Coca-Cola as the official soft drink.{{Cite web |title=Coca-Cola joins T-Mobile Park lineup as Mariners "official fan refreshment" |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-coca-cola-joins-t-mobile-park-lineup-as-mariners-official-fan-refr |access-date=August 17, 2022 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}

In October 2018, Coca-Cola started sponsoring the Formula 1 team McLaren with several 1 year deals being signed since then.{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/mclaren-signs-coca-cola-sponsor-deal-for-rest-of-2018-f1-season-5290152/5290152/|title=McLaren signs Coca-Cola sponsor deal for rest of 2018 F1 season|website=www.autosport.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mclaren.com/racing/partners/coca-cola/mclaren-racing-extends-partnership-coca-cola-company/|title=McLaren Racing - McLaren Racing extends partnership with The Coca-Cola Company|website=www.mclaren.com}}

Since 2019, Coca-Cola has been the title sponsor of the Uzbekistan Super League in soccer, which is officially called Coca-Cola Uzbekistan Super League.

Coca-Cola has also sponsored the Overwatch league since season two. They also sponsor all major Overwatch tournaments such as the world cup

.{{cite web|url=http://pfl.uz/ru/news/sections/superliga/10108|title=Coca-Cola – титульный спонсор Суперлиги и Кубка Узбекистана|publisher=pfl.uz|language=ru|access-date=March 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306174820/http://pfl.uz/ru/news/sections/superliga/10108|archive-date=March 6, 2019|url-status=live}}

In February 2020, Coca-Cola became the title sponsor for the eNASCAR iRacing series.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2020/02/05/enascar-iracing-competition-refreshed-by-coca-cola-beginning-in-2020/|title=Coca-Cola named entitlement sponsor of iRacing Series | NASCAR|date=February 5, 2020|website=Official Site Of NASCAR}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.marketingdive.com/news/coca-cola-becomes-title-sponsor-of-nascars-esports-race/571902/|title=Coca-Cola becomes title sponsor of NASCAR's esports race|website=Marketing Dive}}

In February 2025, Coca-Cola became a sponsor of the Northern Super League, the top women's soccer league in Canada.{{Cite web|url=https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2025/02/28/coca-cola-hydrates-soccer-game-adds-canada-fledgling-northern-super-league-roster/|title=Coca-Cola hydrates its soccer game and adds Canada fledgling Northern Super League to roster|date=February 28, 2025}}

Coca-Cola sponsored Walt Disney's first television show "One Hour in Wonderland" broadcast on Christmas Day 1950.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/los-angeles-mirror-disney-in-video-debut/170424096/ |title=Disney in Video Debut Today |publisher=Los Angeles Mirror |date=December 25, 1950}}

Coca-Cola sponsored the 1965 airing of the television special "A Charlie Brown Christmas".{{cite web|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/charlie-brown-christmas-special-history-television-classic-cbs-180957490/|title=The 'Charlie Brown Christmas' Special Was the Flop That Wasn't|website=Smithsonian Magazine|last=Hagen|first=Carrie|date=December 9, 2015|access-date=October 6, 2024}}

Coca-Cola also sponsored the popular Fox singing-competition series American Idol from 2002 until 2014.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/coca-cola-cuts-ties-with-american-idol-1201380360/|title=Coca-Cola Ends Sponsorship Of 'American Idol' (EXCLUSIVE)|website=Variety|last=Steinberg|first=Brian|date=December 16, 2014|access-date=October 6, 2024}}

Coca-Cola was a sponsor of the nightly talk show on PBS, Charlie Rose in the US.{{cite web |url=http://www.charlierose.com/about/show/ |title=About the program |publisher=Charlie Rose |access-date=July 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919003607/http://www.charlierose.com/about/show/ |archive-date=September 19, 2012 |url-status=dead}}

Coca-Cola is also an executive producer of Coke Studio (Pakistan). It was a franchising that started in Brazil, broadcast by MTV Brasil and there are various adaptations of Coke Studio such as Coke Studio (India), Coke Studio Bangla and Coke Studio Africa.{{Cite web|url=https://digiday.com/marketing/inside-coke-studios-growth-africa/|title=Inside the growth of Coca-Cola's music TV show in Africa|date=August 17, 2017|access-date=February 12, 2020|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308045003/https://digiday.com/marketing/inside-coke-studios-growth-africa/|url-status=dead}}

While not necessarily having naming rights to anything in all locations, the company does sponsor and provide beverages in many theme parks, usually in an exclusive capacity. This includes the Disney Experiences,{{efn|Shanghai Disney Resort uses Pepsi. It is the only Disney Parks location to serve Pepsi and not Coca-Cola.{{cite web|title=PepsiCo Chairman & CEO Congratulates Disney on Grand Opening of the World-Class Shanghai Disney Resort|url=http://www.pepsico.com/live/pressrelease/pepsico-chairman-ceo-congratulates-company-on-grand-opening-of-the-world-class-shanghai-disney-resort|publisher=PepsiCo|access-date=January 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131184747/http://www.pepsico.com/live/pressrelease/pepsico-chairman-ceo-congratulates-company-on-grand-opening-of-the-world-class-shanghai-disney-resort|archive-date=January 31, 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Jourdan|first1=Adam|title=PepsiCo re-enters 'Magic Kingdom' with Shanghai Disney deal|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pepsico-idUSBREA1Q13020140227|access-date=January 31, 2017|work=Reuters|date=February 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131185004/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-pepsico-idUSBREA1Q13020140227|archive-date=January 31, 2017|url-status=live}}}} Merlin Entertainment, Universal Destinations & Experiences, Six Flags, Cedar Fair, and United Parks & Resorts which are six of the nine largest theme park operators worldwide (it is unknown whether OCT Parks China, the Chimelong Group, or Fantawild, the fourth, seventh, and eighth largest theme park operators respectively, use Coca-Cola).{{cite web|url=http://www.aecom.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/2015_Theme_Index__Museum_Index.pdf|publisher=Themed Entertainment Association|access-date=May 25, 2016|year=2015|title=TEA/AECOM 2015 Global Attractions Attendance Report|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703150307/http://www.aecom.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/2015_Theme_Index__Museum_Index.pdf|archive-date=July 3, 2016|url-status=live}}

The company also formerly sponsored, with naming rights, the Coca-Cola London Eye and the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye.{{cite web|title=Orlando Eye is renamed the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye|url=http://www.clickorlando.com/news/orlando-eye-coca-cola-to-make-joint-announcement|access-date=July 28, 2016|date=July 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729150619/http://www.clickorlando.com/news/orlando-eye-coca-cola-to-make-joint-announcement|archive-date=July 29, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Dineen|first1=Caitlin|title=Orlando Eye officially flies Coca-Cola banner|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-orlando-eye-coke-announcement-20160728-story.html|access-date=July 28, 2016|work=Orlando Sentinel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729160745/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-orlando-eye-coke-announcement-20160728-story.html|archive-date=July 29, 2016|url-status=live}}

The company also operates "Coca-Cola" visitor centers in Israel, Belgium and Turkey.{{Cite web| url=http://cafe.themarker.com/post/1914733/| title=Interview about the attractions park for Coca-Cola Turkey| work=café.themarker.com| access-date=July 6, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626203110/http://cafe.themarker.com/post/1914733/| archive-date=June 26, 2015| url-status=live}}{{Cite web| url=http://www.mefik.co.il/page.asp?page_parent=7795| title=Coca-Cola Visitors Centre Turkey| work=mefik.co.il| access-date=July 6, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627011903/http://www.mefik.co.il/page.asp?page_parent=7795| archive-date=June 27, 2015| url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.cocacolavisitorscenter.be/nl/|title=Coca Cola Visitors|website=Coca Cola Visitors|language=nl|access-date=December 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215053633/http://www.cocacolavisitorscenter.be/nl/|archive-date=December 15, 2017|url-status=live}}

After Martin Luther King Jr. won the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize, plans for an interracial celebratory dinner in still-segregated Atlanta were not initially well supported by the city's business elite until Coca-Cola intervened.{{cite news |date=December 10, 2002 |title=NOBEL PEACE PRIZE: In 1964, award to King stirred a storm |newspaper=Atlanta Journal-Constitution}}

{{blockquote |J. Paul Austin, the chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola, and Mayor Ivan Allen summoned key Atlanta business leaders to the Commerce Club's eighteenth-floor dining room, where Austin told them flatly, 'It is embarrassing for Coca-Cola to be located in a city that refuses to honor its Nobel Prize winner. We are an international business. The Coca-Cola Company does not need Atlanta. You all need to decide whether Atlanta needs the Coca-Cola Company.' Within two hours of the end of that meeting, every ticket to the dinner was sold.|Andrew Young{{cite book |first=Andrew |last=Young | title=An Easy Burden |url=https://archive.org/details/easyburdencivilr00youn |url-access=registration |publisher=HarperCollins |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-06-092890-2|oclc=34782719}}}}

Throughout 2012, Coca-Cola contributed $1,700,500 to a $46 million political campaign known as "The Coalition Against The Costly Food Labeling Proposition, sponsored by Farmers and Food Producers".[http://www.kcet.org/news/ballotbrief/elections2012/propositions/prop-37-funding-genetically-engineered-food.html Who's Funding Prop 37, Labeling for Genetically Engineered Foods? | Propositions | Elections 2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121126131614/http://www.kcet.org/news/ballotbrief/elections2012/propositions/prop-37-funding-genetically-engineered-food.html|date=November 26, 2012}}. KCET. Retrieved December 23, 2013. This organization was set up to oppose a citizen's initiative, known as Proposition 37, demanding mandatory labeling of foods containing genetically modified ingredients.{{cite news |last1=Westervelt |first1=Amy |author-link=Amy Westervelt |date=August 22, 2012 |title=Monsanto, DuPont Spending Millions to Oppose California's GMO Labeling Law |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/amywestervelt/2012/08/22/monsanto-dupont-spending-millions-to-oppose-californias-gmo-labeling-law/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911034339/http://www.forbes.com/sites/amywestervelt/2012/08/22/monsanto-dupont-spending-millions-to-oppose-californias-gmo-labeling-law/ |archive-date=September 11, 2016 |access-date=August 10, 2016 |work=Forbes}}

In 2012, Coca-Cola was listed as a partner of the (RED) campaign, together with other brands such as Nike, Girl, American Express, and Converse. The campaign's mission is to prevent the transmission of the HIV virus from mother to child by 2015 (the campaign's byline is "Fighting for an AIDS Free Generation").{{cite web |year=2012 |title=(RED) Partners |url=http://www.joinred.com/partners/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524044206/http://www.joinred.com/partners/ |archive-date=May 24, 2012 |access-date=October 14, 2012 |work=(RED) |publisher=The ONE Campaign}}

In 2024, Coca-Cola sponsored the presidential campaign of Donald J. Trump.{{Cite news |last=Fung |first=Katherine |date=2024-02-10 |title=List of American Companies That Support President Donald Trump. |url=https://www.newsweek.com/american-businesses-supporting-donating-donald-trump-list-2027957 |work=Newsweek}} Coca-Cola gifted President Donald Trump with a custom Coke bottle commemorating his inauguration in January 2025.{{Cite news |last=Ahn |first=Ashley |date=2025 |title=Coca-Cola toasts Trump's inauguration with custom bottle despite rocky history |url=https://www.ajc.com/politics/national-politics/coke-toasts-trumps-inauguration-with-commemorative-bottle-despite-rocky-history/NER4VQ2YLVHRLCJWA5OIKM226Y/ |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=English |issn=1539-7459}}{{Cite web |date=2025-01-16 |title=Can Donald Trump inauguration gift reignite Coca-Cola vs Pepsi war? |url=https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/01/16/strange-donald-trump-inauguration-gift-could-reignite-coca-cola-vs-pepsi-war |website=euronews |language=en}}

{{Main|Criticism of Coca-Cola}}

Since the early 2000s, the criticisms over the use of Coca-Cola products as well as the company itself, escalated with concerns over health effects, environmental issues, animal testing, economic business practices and employee issues.{{Cite web |last=Nace |first=Trevor |title=Coca-Cola Named The World's Most Polluting Brand in Plastic Waste Audit |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevornace/2019/10/29/coca-cola-named-the-worlds-most-polluting-brand-in-plastic-waste-audit/ |access-date=November 30, 2020 |website=Forbes |language=en}} The Coca-Cola Company has been faced with multiple lawsuits concerning these various criticisms.{{Cite web |date=February 27, 2020 |title=Group sues to hold Coca-Cola, Pepsi and others liable for plastics fouling California waters |url=https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2020-02-26/coca-cola-pepsi-other-big-companies-face-plastic-pollution-lawsuit |access-date=November 30, 2020 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}

{{See also|Plastic pollution}}

File:Coca Cola plastic bottles.jpg|Coca-Cola bottles as pollution in water

File:Transforming the Plastics Economy.webm|Discussion about plastic waste with Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey

The Coca-Cola Company produces over 3 million tonnes of plastic packaging each year including 110 billion plastic bottles.{{Cite web |last=Jack |first=Simon |date=October 25, 2019 |title=In the war on plastic is Coca-Cola friend or foe? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50175594 |access-date=February 4, 2020 |website=BBC News |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=October 25, 2021 |title=The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo named top plastic polluters for the fourth year in a row |url=https://www.breakfreefromplastic.org/2021/10/25/the-coca-cola-company-and-pepsico-named-top-plastic-polluters-for-the-fourth-year-in-a-row/ |access-date=June 22, 2022 |work=Break Free From Plastic}}{{Cite news |last=Russ |first=Hilary |date=February 15, 2022 |title=Coca-Cola, criticized for plastic pollution, pledges 25% reusable packaging |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/coca-cola-criticized-plastic-pollution-pledges-25-reusable-packaging-2022-02-10/ |access-date=June 22, 2022 |work=Reuters}}

The company has been referenced as "the worst plastic polluter in the world" pumping out 200,000 plastic bottles a minute.{{cite news |date=November 15, 2022 |title=Study Finds That These Companies Are The Biggest Plastic Polluters Of 2022 |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/pepsico-was-the-biggest-plastic-polluter-in-india-in-2022-coca-cola-globally-584817.html |work=IndiaTimes |language=en-IN}} Problems also arose in places such as Samoa where Coca-Cola switched away from reusable glass bottles to one time use plastic bottles. Residents of Samoa have seen an increase in plastic pollution since this switch has been made. Alternatives to plastic such as aluminum have also been overlooked with Coca-Cola releasing a new plastic bottle slightly bigger than a can size.{{Cite web |title=Coca-Cola's Plastic Pollution Problem |url=https://www.sierraclub.org/michigan/blog/2022/12/coca-cola-s-plastic-pollution-problem |access-date=April 2, 2023 |website=www.sierraclub.org |language=en}}

The magazine Forbes has labeled Coca-Cola as the world's most polluting brand.{{cite web |last1=Nace |first1=Trevor |title=Coca-Cola Named The World's Most Polluting Brand in Plastic Waste Audit |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevornace/2019/10/29/coca-cola-named-the-worlds-most-polluting-brand-in-plastic-waste-audit/ |website=Forbes |language=en}} The company's global chief executive stated that "Coca-Cola has no plans to reduce its use of plastic bottles" and opposes bottle bill legislation,{{Cite web |last=Lerner |first=Sharon |date=October 18, 2019 |title=Leaked Audio Reveals How Coca-Cola Undermines Plastic Recycling Efforts |url=https://theintercept.com/2019/10/18/coca-cola-recycling-plastics-pollution/ |access-date=January 23, 2020 |website=The Intercept |language=en-US}} as consumers prefer the plastic bottles that "reseal and are lightweight".

In 2018, Coca-Cola pledged to use 50% recycled materials in its packaging and to recycle the equivalent of 100% of its packaging by 2030.{{cite web |last=LaVito |first=Angelica |date=January 19, 2018 |title=Coca-Cola wants to collect and recycle 100% of its bottles, cans by 2030 |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/19/coca-cola-wants-to-collect-and-recycle-100-percent-of-its-packages-by-2030.html |access-date=June 21, 2023 |website=CNBC}} That same year, the company started to sell reusable bottles in Brazil, which customers could return to the point of sale for a discount of subsequent purchases. The initiative was expanded to several other South American countries by 2022.{{cite web |last=Arthur |first=Rachel |date=February 15, 2022 |title=Coca-Cola's 25% reusable packaging goal: How will this be achieved? |url=https://www.beveragedaily.com/Article/2022/02/15/Coca-Cola-s-25-reusable-packaging-goal-How-will-this-be-achieved |access-date=June 21, 2023 |website=BeverageDaily}} In 2019, the company's Swedish branch marked the first to fully transition to recyclable bottles by 2020.{{cite web |last=Starn |first=Jesper |date=November 19, 2019 |title=Coca-Cola's First Market to Adopt Fully Recycled Plastic Is Sweden |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-11-19/coca-cola-races-ahead-in-sweden-shifting-to-recycled-plastic?leadSource=uverify%20wall#xj4y7vzkg |access-date=June 21, 2023 |website=Bloomberg News}}

In December 2024, Coca-Cola announced adjustments to its sustainability goals, specifically revising its target to recycle the equivalent of 100 percent of its packaging by 2030. The company has acknowledged that it will not meet this goal as initially set. Instead, Coca-Cola has decided to focus on other sustainability measures, which has sparked discussions among environmental advocates and industry analysts.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-04 |title=Coca-Cola lowers ambition with new 2035 packaging sustainability targets |url=https://www.packagingdive.com/news/coca-cola-lowers-ambition-with-new-2035-packaging-sustainability-targets/697682/ |access-date=2024-12-09 |website=Packaging Dive}}

In 2023, Coca-Cola's packaging composition included 47.7% plastic, 26% aluminum, and 10.4% glass. The company's efforts towards increasing the reuse of packaging have been limited, with only 1.2% of its packaging being reusable in the previous year.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-04 |title=Coca-Cola is dramatically scaling back its plastic promises |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/04/business/coca-cola-plastic-promises/index.html |access-date=2024-12-09 |website=CNN Business}} Additionally, Coca-Cola has increased its use of virgin plastics by approximately 6% since 2019.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-05 |title=The Bottled Truth: Coca-Cola's New 2035 Environmental Goals Face Sustainability Backlash |url=https://carboncredits.com/the-bottled-truth-coca-colas-new-2035-carbon-emissions-environmental-goals-face-sustainability-backlash/ |access-date=2024-12-09 |website=Carbon Credits}}

Coca-Cola's use of high-fructose corn syrup is less sustainable when compared to producing sugary drinks with sugar cane. High-fructose corn syrup is carbon intensive due to the substantial amounts of fossil fuels required to power heavy machinery. Turning corn into high-fructose corn syrup is an energy intensive process requiring large amounts of carbon to be expended especially during corn growth. Burning fossil fuels releases {{CO2}} and {{CH4}} which is the main source of energy for producing high-fructose corn syrup. The environmental impact of corn production can be attributed to three primary effects of field emissions, irrigation and grain decay.{{Cite journal |last=Eyre |first=Timothy |date=2010 |title=PDFdiff: A PDF File Comparison Script |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.5300/2010-3/208 |journal=Zpravodaj Československého sdružení uživatelů TeXu |issue=3 |pages=208–214 |doi=10.5300/2010-3/208 |issn=1211-6661 |hdl-access=free |hdl=10338.dmlcz/150122}}

Coca-Cola has also been under fire for depleting water sources through their high water usages. Local villagers have testified that Coca-Cola's entry in Kaladera Rajasthan intensified lower water sources. Documents from the government's water ministry reveal water levels remained stable from 1995 until 2000, when the Coca-Cola was first operational. Water levels then dropped by almost ten meters during the next five years. Other communities in India that are located around Coca-Cola's bottling plants are experiencing water shortages as well as environmental damage taking heavy tolls on harvests as well as drying up wells.{{Cite web |date=November 19, 2007 |title=Coca-Cola: drinking the world dry {{!}} War on Want |url=https://waronwant.org/news-analysis/coca-cola-drinking-world-dry |access-date=April 2, 2023 |website=waronwant.org |language=en}}

In November 2000, Coca-Cola agreed to pay $192.5 million to settle a class action racial discrimination lawsuit and promised to change the way it manages, promotes, and treats minority employees in the US. In 2003, protesters at Coca-Cola's annual meeting claimed that black people remained underrepresented in top management at the company, were paid less than white employees, and fired more often.{{Cite news |last=White |first=Ben |date=April 18, 2002 |title=Black Coca-Cola Workers Still Angry |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/2002/04/18/black-coca-cola-workers-still-angry/2d9d4610-5c10-4145-914a-e1cd2b1c905b/ |access-date=March 11, 2022 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}} In 2004, Luke Visconti, a co-founder of DiversityInc, which rates companies on their diversity efforts, said: "Because of the settlement decree, Coca-Cola was forced to put in management practices that have put the company in the top 10 for diversity."{{cite news |author=Annys Shin |date=June 10, 2004 |title=Foundation Helps Sodexho Counter Discrimination Suit |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A28918-2004Jun9.html |newspaper=Washington Post}}

In March 2012, 16 workers of color sued Coca-Cola, claiming they had to work in a "cesspool of racial discrimination".{{Cite web |title=Coca-Cola Unit Sued for Alleged Racial Discrimination |url=https://workforce.com/uk/news/coca-cola-unit-sued-for-alleged-racial-discrimination |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122181926/https://www.workforce.com/uk/news/coca-cola-unit-sued-for-alleged-racial-discrimination |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |access-date=March 11, 2022 |website=Workforce.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last1=Haskin |first1=On Behalf of Employment Law Office of John H. |last2=Associates |last3=LLC |date=March 26, 2012 |title=Coca-Cola sued for racial discrimination |url=https://www.jhaskinlaw.com/blog/2012/03/coca-cola-sued-for-racial-discrimination/ |access-date=March 11, 2022 |website=Employment Law Office of John H. Haskin & Associates, LLC |language=en-US}}

In February 2021, recordings of an employee training course were leaked on social media. The course instructed employees to "be less white", which the course equated with being less "arrogant" and "oppressive".{{Cite news |last=Río |first=Mairem Del |date=May 7, 2021 |title=Coca-Cola Asks Its Workers to Be 'Less White' to Fight Racism |url=https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/business/article/Coca-Cola-Asks-Its-Workers-to-Be-Less-White-to-15979661.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311170710/https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/business/article/Coca-Cola-Asks-Its-Workers-to-Be-Less-White-to-15979661.php |archive-date=March 11, 2022 |access-date=March 11, 2022 |website=Beaumont Enterprise |language=en-US}}

• List of assets owned by the Coca-Cola Company
• Stepan Company – produces coca leaf extract

{{Notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book |last1=Butler |first1=David |title=Design to Grow: How Coca-Cola Learned to Combine Scale and Agility (and How You Can Too) |last2=Tischler |first2=Linda |date=February 10, 2015 |publisher=Simon & Schuster |isbn=978-1-4516-7627-3 |edition=1st |location=New York, NY}}
• {{Cite journal |last1=Garcia |first1=Christopher J. |last2=Proffitt |first2=Jennifer M. |date=2022-10-20 |title="We are Coca-Cola and so much more": political economic analysis of non-carbonated SSB Coke brands |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15528014.2021.1922192 |journal=Food, Culture & Society |language=en |volume=25 |issue=5 |pages=796–813 |doi=10.1080/15528014.2021.1922192 |issn=1552-8014}}
• {{cite book |last=Garrett |first=Franklin Miller |title=Atlanta and Environs: A Chronicle of Its People and Events, 1880s-1930s |date=1969 |publisher=University of Georgia Press |isbn=978-0-8203-3128-7 |edition=2nd |location=Athens, Georgia. |chapter=The Eighteen-Eighties }}
• {{cite encyclopedia |url= http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-1854 |title= Coca-Cola Company |first=August W. |last=Giebelhaus |date= May 13, 2008 |encyclopedia=The New Georgia Encyclopedia |publisher=Georgia Humanities Council}}
• {{cite web |url = https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/research/finding-aids/robinson-william-e |title = Robinson, William E.: Papers, 1935–69 |publisher=Dwight D. Eisenhower Library |location = Abilene, Kansas }}
• {{Cite book |last1=Zyman |first1=Sergio |title=The End of Marketing as We Know It |date=June 1, 1999 |publisher=HarperBusiness |location=New York |isbn=0-88730-986-0 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/endofmarketingas00zyma }}

• {{Official website}}
• {{OpenCorp|Coca-Cola}}
• {{OpenSecrets}}

{{Finance links

| name = The Coca-Cola Company

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| yahoo = KO

| google = KO:NYSE

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