Fete LA

I love me some Coca-Cola, they are far hipper and classier then that “other” soda company that tries too hard with their trendy marketing/pr antics. Besides, if their cuddly Coke drinking winter polar bears don’t warm your heart, then you’re probably not human. Let’s not forget those classy designer bottles that were all the rage during Milan Fashion Week. What most people don’t know is that the bottles were made to raise money for the earthquake victims of Abruzzo, Italy. Isn’t that sweet?

With all this goodness I’m a bit annoyed at their newest social media – trying to be cool – international campaign called Expedition 206. The company somehow selected three teams composed of finalists from various countries. I can’t seem to find any information about a “Social Media Happiness Ambassador” contest though. I would have most certainly entered seeing as how my job isn’t exactly going anywhere. Oh, and zero of the nine contestants currently reside within the states. A few have lived here fora bit, but none currently make our country their home. Regardless, the winning team will travel to 206 in one year promoting the Coca-Cola brand. That’s A LOT of travel and sounds like they’ll have a grueling schedule zig-zagging the globe. The team will provide lots up dates via photos, blogging, videos, and such on the Expedition206 website.

The thing is, with all of this international outreach what about America? After all, they are headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. With Budweiser owned by some German company, and car makers in the red, there seem to be fewer and fewer high powered US companies still standing. So, shouldn’t they maybe take some of their dollars and work on an American social media campaign? Brand loyalty is being put to the ultimate test with the economy in the dumps. More and more consumers are switching to generics and cheaper brands. Just my 2 cents. I guess I’m glad I’m not the publicist in charge of that traveling bandwagon.