ATLANTA
Coca-Cola “Happiness Machine” Wins Top Honors at the 2010 CLIO Awards
Since January 12, 2010, hidden camera footage of smiling
students getting more than they bargained for from a Coke vending
machine has been viewed by more than 2.2 million people on YouTube.
Last night, the Coca-Cola "Happiness Machine" was awarded CLIO's
prestigious Gold Interactive Award at the 51st annual awards dinner
held in New York City. A CLIO award is one of the world's most
recognized industry accolades for advertising, design and
communications.
"Happiness is contagious. When you see people smiling, you want to
smile"
The "Happiness Machine" video, the result of a collaboration
between Coca-Cola and integrated interactive marketing agency
Definition 6, features a Coca-Cola vending machine transformed to
deliver surprising "doses" of happiness to unsuspecting college
students. Shot on location at the Queens, NY, campus of St. John's
University, the outwardly typical Coke machine, was placed in the
center of the student cafeteria, in full view of five strategically
placed hidden cameras. What ensued was totally unscripted.
Over 2 days of filming, the hidden cameras captured the
spontaneous reactions of the students as the machine dispensed an
array of goodies including, flowers, pizzas, sunglasses, a
twelve-foot 'hero' sub and a seemingly never ending supply of
Coca-Cola.
"Happiness is contagious. When you see people smiling, you want to
smile," said Wendy Clark, SVP, Integrated Marketing Communications
and Capabilities, The Coca-Cola Company. "This human truth is at
the heart the idea. In the video, you see genuine surprise and
delight on the students' faces when they interact with the
Coca-Cola 'Happiness Machine' and witness the generosity that
ensues as they come together to share in the moments of happiness.
It is such a simple yet compelling concept and one that so
accurately portrays Coca-Cola for what it ultimately is; one of
life's simple pleasures."
Earlier this week, the "Happiness Machine" video reached its
biggest audience yet as a 30-second edit of the footage debuted
during American Idol's season finale.
"Coke's goal to inspire consumers through small, surprise moments
of happiness served as the ideal creative motivation to us," said
Paul Iannacchino Jr., Creative Director, Definition 6. "Our
strategy was to deliver doses of happiness in an unexpected,
innovative way to engage not only the students, but the audience at
large. Whether you were present during the shoot or experiencing
the event online, our goal was the same - to put a smile on your
face and share that emotional connection."
The "Happiness Machine" video is part of Coca-Cola's global
integrated marketing campaign, "Open Happiness," which invites
people around the world to bring positivity, optimism and fun into
their lives. Launched in 2009, at the core of the campaign is the
message to consumers to open a Coke and share a little
happiness.
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage
company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and
still brands. Along with Coca-Cola®, recognized as the world's most
valuable brand, the Company's portfolio includes 12 other billion
dollar brands, including Diet Coke®, Fanta®, Sprite®, Coca-Cola
Zero®, vitaminwater®, POWERADE®, Minute Maid®, Simply® and Georgia
Coffee®. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling
beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and
coffees. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system,
consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages
at a rate of 1.6 billion servings a day. With an enduring
commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is
focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve
resources and enhance the economic development of the communities
where we operate. For more information about our Company, please
visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.
About Definition 6
Definition 6 is an integrated interactive marketing agency that
creates immersive brand experiences that drive business results.
Definition 6 collaborates with clients to help them create
innovative and measurable customer experiences across all media
channels, leading strategy and creativity with insight and
imagination. From eCommerce and website design, to rich media and
interactive marketing applications, Definition 6 helps clients such
as VeriFone, Cox, La Quinta Inn & Suites, Mitsubishi, and
Wendy's/Arby's Group to bridge the gap between marketing and
technology. For more information, visit .
About The CLIO Awards
The CLIO Awards is one of the world's most recognized awards
competitions for advertising, design and communications. The CLIO
Awards has maintained its original commitment to celebrate and
reward creative excellence, honoring a powerful form of
communication and its impact on modern culture. At the same time,
the CLIO Awards remains focused on evolving with the industry in
order to acknowledge the most current, breakthrough work. To this
day, CLIO's iconic statue is the most widely recognized and coveted
symbol of the industry's creative accomplishments.