Coca-Cola Celebrates 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement
Coca-Cola chooses Birmingham to introduce Civil Rights Commemorative Bottle
Birmingham, June 24, 2013 – People across the country are coming together to celebrate a key milestone in United States history – and Coca-Cola is paying tribute in a special way.
In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement, Coca-Cola is activating a series of events, releasing a limited-edition glass bottle and providing scholarship grants to historically black colleges and universities. Through each of these activities, Coca-Cola honors a movement, begun in Birmingham, which changed the world and celebrates a future of hope and equality. In Birmingham, Coca-Cola is sponsoring events, promoting educational activities and giving back to the community through service projects throughout 2013.
“Coca-Cola is privileged to be a key partner with the city of Birmingham during the 2013 Civil Rights Commemorative year. On behalf of all of the Coca-Cola United employees, I am pleased to announce the introduction of a special Civil Rights Commemorative bottle. In recognition of these special Coca-Cola bottles and the Civil Rights Movement, grants will be awarded for First Generation Scholarships at Miles College and other historically black colleges and universities” said Claude Nielsen, Chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola Bottling Company United and Birmingham Coca-Cola Bottling Company. “In addition to the introduction of these Civil Rights bottles we are proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute’s exhibit -“Marching On: The Children’s Movement at Fifty.”
“Birmingham will be the first city to introduce the limited-edition eight ounce Civil Rights Commemorative Coca-Cola glass bottle. The special bottle will be available in stores starting July 1 and in selected cities across the country over a period of the next several months. The bottle includes the “Fifty Years Forward” movement logo, which represents the 50 years of the movement, from 1963 to today” announced Walter Body, Consumer Marketing Manager for Birmingham.
“The Civil Rights Movement was a pivotal time that shaped our nation’s history. It represents leadership, courage and justice for all,” said Lauventria Robinson, VP Multicultural Marketing, Coca-Cola North America Group. “We are proud to commemorate this momentous occasion all across the Coca-Cola system.”
About Birmingham Coca-Cola Bottling Company
Birmingham Coca-Cola Bottling Company, founded in 1902, is the headquarter location of Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc., the third largest Coca-Cola bottling company in the United States located in Birmingham, Alabama. Coca-Cola United is engaged principally in the production, marketing and distribution of soft drinks under exclusive franchises from The Coca-Cola Company and other soft drink manufacturers in parts of 6 states in the southeast United States. For more information, visit www.cocacolaunited.com.
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, the world’s most valuable brand, our Company’s portfolio features 16 billion-dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia and Del Valle. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of more than 1.8 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world’s top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system associates. For more information, visit Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo or check out our blog, Coca-Cola Unbottled, at www.coca-colablog.com.