Coke: Sniff it, Drink it. You will have it!

Happy New Year! And nothing says that better than a fizzy, syrupy Coca-Cola. I recently had the opportunity to visit the Coca-Cola museum to better acquaint myself with the tradition that is Coca-Cola. WOW! I would just like to say that they are quite proud of their product.

This world-renowned product was introduced in Atlanta, GA back in 1886. Creator John Pemberton claimed that this beverage could cure among other things, impotence. Based on my tour, I am convinced they really do believe they were the first version of Viagra or Cialis.

As my journey through the museum progresses, this becomes imminently clear as my visual senses are over-stimulated with coca-cola bottles. They are EVERYWHERE! All different shapes and sizes covered in different colored labels and of course filled with coke. Not one single can of coke to be found. Nothing but bottles.

But of course this experience comes later in the journey. The first experience is quite entertaining from a marketing and sociological perspective. After passing security, everyone is ushered into a short film. (This seems to be a growing trend – the Civil Rights Museum and the Clinton Library both begin this way.) Although the Civil Rights Museum and the Clinton Library show films to provide the viewer with some background, the Coca-Cola Museum invented the background. A cartoon in the style of Pixar was shown. Clever. What came next baffled me at the moment, but writing this here I finally get it: sex sells. The pixar-like animation had a young girl (not attractive as far as cartoons are concerned) twirling a baton in a VERY short skirt. In addition, she was sucking on a lollipop. (Why not go all the way? Have her suck down a nice bottle of cold coke.) Right, this is a family affair and they can’t be too obvious! Lollipops are innocent. Ha! Now to make matters more intense (better or worse – your perspective) she kept crossing and uncrossing her legs. I kept asking myself, “Isn’t this a cartoon? Aren’t there children here?”

Suddenly, the room filled with a sweet, almost saccharine scent. Being the marketer that I am, I asked the strangers around me if they noticed it. They responded no. I asked them are they now thirsty? They responded yes, but not without the look of surprise and awe. Yes folks, Coca-Cola is on to clever research and marketing—something has had to keep them around for over 100 years. Certain smells make you thirsty. Didn’t know you could be manipulated like that did you? Something to ponder . . . .

So we leave the short film CRAVING a beverage. No water fountain in sight, museum attendees are left to wander until they find their way to the Tasting Room. Here they boast on how you can taste the different cokes of the world. Not so my discerning friends. Different orange, grape and lime flavored sodas, maybe, but no true cokes. For those reading who’ve tasted coke outside the US, you know what I mean. My favorite flavor of Coca-Cola comes from France. Well, it’s really Coca-Light (the diet equivalent). But, it’s not equal. Coke Zero is probably closer in taste, but still not quite there. Coca-Light is AMAZING in terms of having a non-caloric carbonated sweet brown fizzy beverage to guzzle. Could I get my fix? Nope. All I had to chose from were things we Americans will never hear about or see again, oh and of course, all the coca-cola products provided by your local vending machine. However, they do provide you with a parting gift: Your very own tiny glass bottle. I just wish I could have had more than just two sips before I was ushered into the gift shop to make my purchase of the 20-ouncer.