Coca-Cola Polar Bears Star in Streaming Digital Experience to Complement Ads during Super Bowl XLVI
01/26/2012 – ATLANTA – The iconic animated Coca-Cola polar bears are back. And, just in time for the Super Bowl XLVI
broadcast, they now have a TV, computer, smart phone and tablet device. That's right, just like 100 million other football fans from around the world, the Coca-Cola polar bears will tune in to watch the big game as they open happiness with an ice-cold Coke and chill on their "snowfa" in the Arctic.
Coca-Cola is capitalizing on the growing trend of second screen media consumption to extend its connection with fans beyond the television screen to the computer screen and the social media universe. Coca-Cola is launching a unique viewing experience for fans that merges a live digital stream and social media with traditional television advertising. The stars of the campaign are two Coca-Cola polar bears who will be watching the big game live and sharing a Coke from the comforts of their Arctic ice cave.
Fans can join in on the fun and watch the game with the polar bears "in the Arctic" by visiting www.CokePolarBowl.com. The digital platform uses proprietary technology to bring the computer-generated polar bears to life through live animation -- a technological first for the big game or any media event. The live stream will showcase the animated polar bears' reactions to all the plays on the field, the halftime show and highly anticipated commercials.
In a first for Coca-Cola, the polar bears will be "taking over" the official @CocaCola Twitter account on game day. On February 5, the profile photo for Coca-Cola will change from the current Coca-Cola logo to an image of the two polar bears. Using the hashtag #GameDayPolarBears, the polar bears will be sharing their unique perspectives on the game and engaging directly with consumers. Fans will be able to exchange tweets with the bears and share select moments from the live stream with friends via social media. For example, Twitter followers may see this post from a Coca-Cola polar bear: "If you tweet us photos of your own game day party we'll feature them in our live stream. That is, if the penguin deems them worthy."
While the two polar bears are both football fans, they are rooting for opposing teams, adding to the fun of watching their expressions of delight or frustration as the game unfolds. Throughout the live stream a variety of ancillary characters, including penguins and a young polar bear stop by the bears' snow cave to share a Coke and enjoy the festivities.
"Coca-Cola is part of the fun when friends and family gather to celebrate major events like the Super Bowl. This year, we're offering fans even more ways to connect over a Coke and be entertained by our well-loved iconic polar bears," said Katie Bayne, President and General Manager of Sparkling Beverages, Coca-Cola North America. "Our bears will come to life on television, digital and mobile screens, as they invite people everywhere to join them watching the big game live from the arctic."
Two new polar bear television ads will air during the first and second quarter of the Super Bowl broadcast. The ads are part of the Coca-Cola "Open Happiness" campaign and reflect the digital content from the live stream at www.CokePolarBowl.com.
"Our digital experience and our new animated polar bear ads highlight the connections and incredible experiences that are created by sharing a Coke," said Alison Lewis, Chief Marketing Officer, Coca-Cola North America. "We offer fans a light-hearted look at how Coca-Cola can bring everybody -- whether human or animated polar bears -- together to celebrate moments of happiness and connection even when they are cheering for opposing teams."
After the game, fans can send a Coke and a little digital happiness to fellow friends and followers from Coca-Cola's "AHHH Giver" and "ARGH Reliever" app on Facebook. Fans of the winning team can share the cheering "Ahhh" Coca-Cola polar bear and fans of the losing team can send the "Argh" polar bear. Both images will send a coupon for a Coke and a little happiness from the Arctic.
Animators will control the bears and their environment during the game using a combination of traditional video gaming controllers and a proprietary PC-based interface. The animators will be stationed in New York City, in a control room located at Major League Baseball's Advanced Media group, which is a leader in the delivery of streaming content.
Related Links:
Current news & stories
- Lovin’ Scoopful Signs Production Agreement With Lucerne Foods Lovin' Scoopful was founded by Maria Shriver, Tim Shriver and Dan Samson in part to benefit Special Olympics.
- Chipotle Plans 50% Increase in Usage of Locally Grown Produce Chipotle works with a network of more than 70 local, family owned farms.
- Frito-Lay Unveils Investment In Compressed Natural Gas Infrastructure Frito-Lay hopes to reduce its total U.S. fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2020, compared to 2007 baseline.
