Go Home
Agency Membership
Agency Membership
Pitch Consultancy
Pitch Consultancy
Discover Agencies
Directory
Brand
Full-service
Production
Explore Content
Archive
Deep Dives
Technology
Media
Creative
Find an Agency
Directory
Brand
Full-service
Production
Data, Loyalty & CRM
Innovation & New Technology
Explore Content
Archive
Deep Dives
Technology
Media
Creative
Trends
Data
Podcasts
Campaigns
Agency Membership
Agency Membership
Pitch Consultancy
Pitch Consultancy

Coca-Cola: Icons

By
RCP
Date Launched

A CONFIDENT AND DEFIANT CAMPAIGN IN THE FACE OF CHANGING LEGISLATION TO POSITIVELY RESHAPE PUBLIC OPINION

What we loved

Demonstrating that true icons never change no matter the pressure they may face; to be adored, you have to endure

How we got there

The sugar tax was coming. Many high sugar brands had tried to reformulate or shrink sizes in order to get around the tax. This we felt, was short sighted, disingenuous and ultimately designed to take away consumers agency and choice. We wanted to buck this trend. Instead of being apologetic or kowtowing to the powers that be we decided to make our resistance to change a decision to be proud of. 

Our idea was to pair our unchanging and iconic product to unchanging and iconic people. Because true icons stand the test of time. So we commissioned multi-award winning artist Noma Bar to create two iconic visuals. Elvis and Marilyn. Both of whom were synonymous with the never changing commitment authentically being themselves. Just like we are with our never changing commitment to the authentic taste of Coca-Cola

What it changed

It changed how people saw us passing on the cost of the sugar tax. We were no longer a greedy company putting their prices up but an iconic brand not bending to the chronic overreach of a Nanny State-esque British Government. 

Marylin Icons.webp
Elvis icons.webp
Coca-Cola Marylin.webp
No items found.

Editor's Picks

Hardware and software: how Friends Everywhere sells the one thing a brand can't hire
Hardware and software: how Friends Everywhere sells the one thing a brand can't hire

Friends Everywhere is staffed by people who spent their careers inside brands. That background, more than craft, is what clients are paying for

By
August 7, 2026
Long on belief, short on skill
Long on belief, short on skill

Only 12% of the people running marketing came up through brand. The mid-market brands that most need brand building are the ones least likely to have anyone who can specify it.

By
July 30, 2026
Cannes Lions Admits It Was Never About Creativity
Cannes Lions Admits It Was Never About Creativity

Why the festival's focus on the infrastructure underpinning creativity is exactly where it needs to be.

By
Amar Chohan
July 13, 2026
Social-first is not a strategy.
Social-first is not a strategy.

Two approaches to social-first marketing. Only one is building a brand.

The Performance Treadmill
The Performance Treadmill

Brand building remains overshadowed by quick-win metrics. Perhaps it’s time for a rebrand.

Trust, accountability and purpose: The Kite Factory's winning formula
Trust, accountability and purpose: The Kite Factory's winning formula

CEO James Smith on how a culture of accountability and effectiveness have helped to build one of media's most trusted independents.

No items found.
Technology
Technology
Media
Media
Creative
Creative
Trends
Trends
Data
Data
Podcasts
Podcasts
Campaigns
Campaigns

Marketing's new guidance system

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Discover
Explore ContentFind an Agency
Latest Deep Dive
Majority Rules: Brand building advice for the ‘marketing majority’
Company
About UsFor AgenciesFor Brands
Legal
Privacy & Cookies Policy
hi@thedca.co
Design by domhoskins.com
Build by truegroup.agency
© 2024 Copyright. All Rights Reserved.