Coca-Cola‘s Anthem for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is arriving this Friday, March 6, which means soccer enthusiasts are one step closer to beginning the official countdown to the international stage out on the pitch!
Forget sneaker drops — because this summer, the most ‘refreshing’ limited-edition flex might just be a can (or bottle) of Coke as the iconic soda has teamed up with Star Wars for their new “Refresh Your Galaxy” campaign. Could it be the most epic collab since Han Solo teamed up with Luke Skywalker to blow up the Death Star? Read on.
On Monday (April 8), Coca-Cola unveiled Coca-Cola x Marvel: The Heroes, the latest groundbreaking collaboration with Marvel, offering a never-before-seen consumer experience through exclusive, limited-edition Coca-Cola pack designs featuring 38 character illustrations, digital collectible characters, exciting prizes and an immersive AR extension on Coca-Cola’s website.
Marvel’s collaboration with Coca-Cola has sparked a wave of excitement among fans worldwide, as two iconic brands unite to deliver an unforgettable campaign experience.
Last night in New York City, Coca-Cola debuted their phenomenal Foodmark experience campaign with the preview of the sold-out Manhattan event, which embraces the iconic Marilyn Monroe captured in one very fun and fabulous historical scene. Launching across the world, Foodmarks are destinations and experiences with a recipe of three key ingredients: the perfect moment, the perfect meal, and an ice-cold Coca-Cola.
XXXX on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024 in New York. (Ben Hider/AP Images for The Coca-Cola Company)
“Foodmarks wield the extraordinary power to transcend borders and tell stories of shared experiences and cultural significance. They are a testament to the universal language of mealtime,” said Elif Kaypak, Global Brand Marketing Lead at The Coca-Cola Company. “As we unveil the five global iconic Foodmarks and hundreds more in neighborhoods around the world, we celebrate the moments that have shaped culture and connected us through the shared magic of Coca-Cola.”
For decades, Coca-Cola has been a part of iconic food and culture moments – from films to music hits and more. The unveiling of Foodmarks celebrates newly-created global “food landmarks” inspired by culture, created with the real magic of Coca-Cola. The brand will have five immersive experiences globally, which includes the famous time Marilyn Monroe was photographed enjoying a hot dog and a Coca-Cola from a New York City street cart.
XXXX on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024 in New York. (Ben Hider/AP Images for The Coca-Cola Company)
More than 400 Foodmarks are highlighted at launch in cities and neighborhoods around the world, with more being added over the coming weeks, brought to life through a unique partnership with Time Out.
New York City, USA – February 16-17
- The first iconic Foodmark experience will debut in New York City, inspired by the famous photograph of Marilyn Monroe stopping traffic while enjoying a hot dog and an ice-cold Coca-Cola. This immersive three-day experience will create a perfect mashup of 1957 and 2024, incorporating theater, dance, technology, and style, featuring shops, breakout flash-shows, and a virtual Marilyn brought to life through AI – allinspired by 1957 Coca-Cola. Free tickets for the event have already “sold out”, however, a limited number of entries will be available at the experience on a first-come, first serve basis.
XXXX on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024 in New York. (Ben Hider/AP Images for The Coca-Cola Company)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – March 1
- In the 80s, Brazilian rock legend Cazuza frequented the bohemian neighborhood of Leblon, enjoying many a late-night meal after a show with an ice-cold Coca-Cola. For The Cazuza Foodmark, Coca-Cola is opening “Pizzaria Cazuza” an 80s themed rock restaurant and music venue serving Cazuza’s favorite pizza and Coca-Cola.
Hong Kong, China – March 8-10
- When “The God of Cookery” came out in the 90s, it became an instant hit in Hong Kong cinema, telling the story of a renowned chef who loses his title and sets out to reclaim it, filled with scenes featuring meals and Coca-Cola. At The God of Cookery Foodmark, Coca-Cola is bringing Hong Kong’s cinematic flavors to life by recreating the renowned ‘Beef Ball Shop’ as an immersive pop-up store.
New Delhi, India – March 8
- Raj Kapoor was the biggest star in Bollywood, and he would often share meals and Coca-Cola with his co-stars and crew on-set during the 1950s. At The Raj Kapoor Foodmark, Coca-Cola is recreating Raj Kapoor’s on-set meal moments, inviting people to enter the golden age of Bollywood in the 1950s, through an immersive film set that combines the magic of 1950s Bollywood with tech forward interactive moments using AR and A.I. The event will be curated and hosted by Janhvi Kapoor, and Raj’s Grandson will curate the menu with his grandfather’s favorite dishes that live on through Junglee Kitchen.
Bangkok, Thailand – April
- Bangkok street food stalls have been the location of legendary meals and Coca-Cola moments forever. These are all being transformed into Foodmarks, all announced through a magic audiovisual experience that celebrates Bangkok’s most epic night out, featuring Thai culture and culinary talent.
Fans can explore and find Foodmarks across the world through a custom interactive map at cocacolafoodmarks.timeout.com as part of a bespoke global campaign created by Time Out.
Photos Courtesy The Coca-Cola Company
This is the hot moment you have been waiting for to kickoff 2024 perfectly!
On Saturday, Nov. 11. the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit returned to Atlanta, offering a vibrant celebration of the diverse facets of the black experience. With the support of Coca-Cola and McDonald’s, attendees of all ages gathered for a day filled with panels, beauty, and music.
Throughout the lively event, trays of complimentary McDonald’s French Fries circulated the venue while guests engaged in various activities including photo-booths, crafting flower crowns, and more.
Essence Ventures President & CEO Caroline Wanga kicked off the event with her ‘Disrupt or Be Disrupted’ panel. A thought-provoking episode of the podcast ‘If Not for My Girls’ featured comedian and actress Pretty Vee, rapper BIA, and singer-songwriter Muni Long discussing walking in one’s purpose and aspiring for more.
Girls United Co-Founders Rechelle and Sophia Dennis joined sisters Jordyn and Jodie Wood for a heartfelt conversation on the joys of sisterhood and how they’ve learned eachother. Despite their age gaps, the sisters displayed a genuine closeness that made the panel feel more like a relaxed chat between life-long friends.
Jordyn and Jodie Woods, despite their undeniable impact across social media, have solidified themselves as more than just influencers. Jodie has emerged as an inspiration for the new Gen Z, while Jordyn has continued to establish her brand with her newly launched clothing line, Woods by Jordyn.
Notable personalities such as Aliyah’s Interlude, Yung BBQ, TM Twins, Karma Bridges, Anisa Brenee, and DJ Tootz were also in attendance.
The summit offered diverse interactive experiences, from speed mentorship sessions to a beauty makeover station. In front of a massive photo wall featuring the season 5 cast of ‘If Not for My Girls’—BIA, Muni Long, and Pretty Vee—attendees enjoyed Coca-Cola mocktails at a mocktail bar and explored a Coca-Cola® Zero Sugar photo activation.
Guests personalized airbrushed tote bags and pouches and indulged in some light shopping at the Soko Marketplace, featuring a range of products from jewelry to haircare.
The day concluded with an electrifying performance by Mariah The Scientist, singing her hit songs, including the fan-favorite “Spread Thin.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 08: A guest attends CultureCon NY 2023 on October 08, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
Saturday, October 7, 2023. Duggal Greenhouse, Brooklyn, New York. — Saturday morning rain showers fell hard and heavy in the borough of Brooklyn; but it didn’t stop the main event from happening on Flushing Avenue. The annual cultural mecca for Black and Brown creatives, CultureCon, opened its lines to the likes of designers, brand influencers, culture benders, film talents, small business owners, media press outlets and many more. CultureCon, founded in 2019, is the fastest growing conference and brings together creatives and changemakers of color that aim to elevate their social and professional networks. These bountiful creatives intend to make a mark on the culture and within the communities they serve. In an effort to keep the focus “community centered” the conference sets its sights on celebrating prominent and innovative voices leading the way. It is their hope to inspire attendees to make notable impacts in their respective lanes, creative causes and to become an infectious impact on the world at large, as a BIPOC creative-thought leader.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 08: A guest attends CultureCon NY 2023 on October 08, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
This year’s CultureCon presented by Creative Collective included presenting partners: Max, Amex, Shea Moisture, Amazon PRIME, Freevee, Clinique, Google, Ciroc, Bullet Bourbon, Seedlip (Non Alcoholic Spirits), Patreon, Paramount (Content For Change), KickStarter, NBCUniversal,Spotify, Walmart, Tubi, School For Experiential Education in Design, The Startup Collection | Aveeno, Ben & Jerry’s, Coca Cola, LTK, Visible by Verizon, Dotdash Meredith, LCKR, Getty Images, Nielsen, TikTok, #CultureTags, NPR, and The Tillary Hotel- Brooklyn.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 08: (L-R) Simone Jordan, Laura Stylez and Jacob Lattimore speak on stage during CultureCon NY 2023 on October 08, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
CultureCon encourages the creative collective body by honoring notable influencers, industry trailblazers, tastemakers and celebrities. The two day event featured panelists that discussed navigating and managing the pressures in the film and entertainment industries; obtaining careers in the growing field of tech and various degrees of corporate spaces. Other major topics offered insights on personal branding; overcoming the socio-economic factors that impede or inspire creativity; investments, crowdfunding for business and managing personal finances with financial gurus such as Financial Educator and New York Times Bestseller, Tiffany “the Budgetnista”; as well as discussions on maintaining self care while launching brands and building empires.
This year the 2023 CultureCon brought on a new facet to their ever growing pilgrimage, now including in its activation booths, a Creative Career Job Fair that allowed the attendees to meet one on one with recruiters from: Amazon Studios, Clinique, Max, NBCUniversal, Google, Walmart, Shea Moisture, and Kickstarter. Career hopefuls had the opportunities to provide or upload their digital resumes within the talent submission pool for further consideration and a chance to land their dream jobs.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 07: Issa Rae speaks onstage during How to Find Your People Brand: American Express panel at the CultureCon NY 2023 on October 07, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
Day one of the CultureCon event included the prolific and legendary American Actress and Writer, Issa Rae (Insecure, Rap Sh!t, The Photograph, The Lovebirds, Barbie) discussed her organization, ColorCreative, and how it cultivated its initiative, the Find Your People Program (FYPP), to mentor aspiring creatives of color through an intensive creative program.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 07: Issa Rae speaks onstage during How to Find Your People Brand: American Express panel at the CultureCon NY 2023 on October 07, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
Emmy-Award winning actor and rapper, Jharrel Jerome (When They See Us, Moonlight, Full Circle) sat down with podcast host and entrepreneur, Bimma Williams to share his creative process in music and his career journey. Sharing insights on “When They See Us” and providing more insight on his new album “I’m a Virgo”, inspired the crowd who remained engaged during his interview with Bima.
Actress and Film Producer, Marsai Martin (Blackish, Little, Fantasy Football), at the blossoming age of 18 years, took to the stage to share her newest venture as the global brand ambassador for Clinique and shared her creative evolution in beauty after partnering with the high-end beauty brand. Marsai spoke on her numerous achievements, multiple NAACP Image Awards, BET Awards, her historic role as the youngest executive producer in Hollywood, and founding her company Genius Entertainment.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 07: Teyana Taylor and Eric Jones Jr. speak onstage at CultureCon NY 2023 on October 07, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
This year’s CultureCon honoree, was the illustrious superstar, Teyana Taylor(A Thousand and One, Coming 2 America, The Breaks). The multihyphenate shared the stage in an intimate discussion with Emmy-Award winning journalist, Eric Jones, to discuss her incredible career and was rightfully presented with the CultureCon 2023 award by her mother and children. Teyana dazzled the crowd with her star studded aura. She handed out pearls of wisdom to the attendees; mentioning that her faith in God kept her strong in mind and spirit; and reminding us that the wait for our promise is actually our time of preparation for a great outcome and to learn to give ourselves flowers by being our own glade plugin; further exemplifying why she earned the right to be acclaimed as a cultural icon.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 07: Ziwe speaks onstage at CultureCon NY 2023 on October 07, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
TV host and internet icon, Ziwe closed day one with a hilarious conversation alongside, DeAndre Brown AKA The Corporate Baddie. “Black Friend: Essays,” and her journey from being an intern with big dreams to a certified boss in the midst of her dream career.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 07: Lola Brooke speaks onstage at CultureCon NY 2023 on October 07, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
On day one, I found myself richly inspired by panelist, Rap recording artist, Lola Brooke, who eagerly shared her love of performing on stage. The “Don’t Play With” lyricist lit up as she discussed that she knew in her heart she’d always wanted to perform; she said that before bed at night, she recalls falling asleep with music in her ears and dreaming that she was on stage. She expressed staying grounded and knowing that every decision that she’d made “fell on me” and that remaining centered was above all else, priority for her.
Day one of CultureCon lunch consisted of jollof rice ( a tomato and rice-based dish that is widely eaten across West and Central Africa) sweet plantains, gold coast slaw, grilled peri-peri chicken with a Bissap Hibiscus juice from African Chop House, and yes it was delicious. Other featured restaurants included the Crabby Shack, Ras Plant Based, OxKale, Cafe Rue Dix, File Gumbo Bar, Aunt Et uncles, Charles Pan Fried Chicken, the James Beard nominated chef and Harlem icon’s soul food for the soul pick, and Chef Kwame’s Patty Palace.
By the close of Day one’s festivities, my black mesh CultureCon tote was full to the brim with goodies. I collected my goodies from Clinique whose volumizing mascara and skin moisturizer has instantly become a new favorite in my makeup arsenal; magazine giveaways (and cookies) from the largest publisher in North America, Dotdash Meredith; free beverages from CocaCola and SmartWater; and an adorable “Black Men We Love You” men’s care kit from Shea Moisture.
Let me know, did you get your Culture on this weekend or are you planning to attend the Fourth Annual Culture Con? Let me know your thoughts and stay tuned for Day 2 of Culture Con!
Check out the new documentary, “The Last Mile” on the AIDS epidemic, the impact of “Philadelphia” and the progress we’ve made today!
This Thursday, Extra Butter hosted an exclusive launch party for the new Herschel Supply and Coca-Cola collaboration.