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Coke ad sparks online uproar

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Cape Town - A new Coca-Cola advertisement which features a multilingual patriotic song has garnered both kudos and brickbats.

The ad entitled “America is Beautiful” features the 1895 American patriotic song “America the Beautiful.”

It was broadcast as part of Coca-Cola’s commercial during the Super Bowl.

Watch the ad here:



However, the one-minute ad stirred up controversy because the song is sung in several different languages by people from various ethnicities.

The song is sung in English, Tagalog, Spanish, Hebrew, Hindi, Keres and Senegalese-French and also features a gay family.

Since its broadcast, unhappy Coke drinkers have taken to Twitter, threatening to boycott the product.






The Coca-Cola company said in a statement on its website that the ad provides a snapshot of the real lives of Americans representing diverse ethnicities, religions, races and families, all found in the United States.

“For 127 years, Coca-Cola has been proud to be a part of bringing friends and families together while memories are made,” said Coca-Cola North America president Katie Bayne.

"With ‘It’s Beautiful,’ we are simply showing that America is beautiful, and Coke is for everyone.”

Some people on Twitter agreed with Bayne.




Should Coke make a commercial in South Africa using the 11 official languages? Mail us or use #SAisBeautiful to leave your comment on Twitter.

 - Fin24


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