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Coca-Cola illustrated Santa, dressed him in red and white, and manipulated perceptions. The Coca-Cola Company Gave Santa Claus His Modern Glow (and Made Christmas Bigger Than Ever) 125 years ago, Coca-Cola had a problem: sales plummeted in winter. Back then, people saw it as a "summer drink." So, Coca-Cola did what the greatest marketers do, they created a story. They looked at Christmas and thought, What if we tied our brand to this holiday? But here’s the twist: Christmas wasn’t the mega holiday we know today. Easter was the real deal. Christmas was more of a solemn religious event, with mass and simple traditions. So, Coca-Cola's team took a character, Saint Nicholas, already fading into obscurity, and reinvented him: - They dressed him in red and white (Coca-Cola colors). - They made him plump, cheerful, and human-like (thanks to artist Haddon Sundblom in 1931). - They gave him rosy cheeks and a love for Coca-Cola. This version of Santa Claus stuck. And guess what? It worked. People started associating Coca-Cola with winter, holidays, and joy. But here’s where the myth and fact meet: - No, Coca-Cola didn’t invent Santa Claus, he was rooted in European folklore long before. - Yes, Coca-Cola’s campaigns made Santa's current image iconic. It became the Santa everyone recognises globally. Over time, their marketing not only boosted sales, it commercialized Christmas, made Santa an advertising icon, and even reshaped other traditions (like Hanukkah and Kwanzaa gaining prominence during the season). Coca-Cola didn’t just sell soda; they redefined how we experience an entire season. #Branding #marketing #genius #CocaCola #SantaClaus