Coca-Cola Re-Establishes Long-Standing Association with Academy Awards on ABC

Coca-Cola Re-Establishes Long-Standing Association with Academy Awards on ABC

Agreement Makes Company Exclusive Non-Alcoholic Beverage Sponsor

ATLANTA, June 2 /PRNewswire/ -- After a seven-year absence from the red carpet, The Coca-Cola Company, led by Diet Coke, is back in the spotlight as the exclusive non-alcoholic beverage sponsor of the Academy Awards telecast on ABC.

Beginning in March 2006, seven commercials featuring Diet Coke and other Coca-Cola brands will air during the biggest entertainment program on television. The annual broadcast of the Academy Awards reaches an average audience of 42 million people, second only to the Super Bowl in total viewership.

"Our brands, especially Diet Coke, have been synonymous with entertainment and style for decades, so our association with the Academy Awards telecast makes perfect sense," said Katie Bayne, senior vice president, Coca-Cola Brands, Coca-Cola North America, "Today, more than ever, people are passionate about the world of film. By refreshing moviegoers in theaters across the country, featuring celebrities in advertising, and participating in the Academy Awards telecast, we offer people multiple ways to enjoy the entertainment lifestyle."

The sponsorship of the Oscars telecast adds another component to the roster of high-visibility entertainment and sports properties that Coca-Cola will activate in 2006, including the Olympic Winter Games, the World Cup, American Idol, NCAA, NBA, NASCAR, and NHRA.

The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's most valuable brand, the Company markets four of the world's top five soft drink brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta and Sprite, and a wide range of other beverages, including diet and light soft drinks, waters, juices and juice drinks, teas, coffees and sports drinks. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate exceeding 1 billion servings each day. For more information about The Coca-Cola Company, please visit our website at http://www.coca-cola.com/.

Source: The Coca-Cola Company

CONTACT: Susan McDermott of Coca-Cola North America, +1-404-676-4120

Web site: http://www.coke.com/

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