I find advertising to be fascinating because so much creativity is used to gain our attention and work on our views. Outdoor artwork has been a part of the urban landscape for over a century, and Coke was always featured in many of the ads. I was thinking about this and therefore started looking for images -- here goes!  |
| In particular: Coca-Cola billboards appear throughout the world (well, maybe not in Antarctica). |
Unlike the artists who paint ephemeral murals that appear and disappear on the sides of buildings and many other places in cities, the creators of Coke and other ads are usually not acknowledged. Nor is their creative process discussed, except perhaps in advertising textbooks or other more obscure sources. The extent of the recognition of this art work is astounding. For a history of the Coca-Cola logo see this article: "Trace the 130-year Evolution of the Coca-Cola Logo."
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| This Coca-Cola billboard dates from1911 (source) |
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| You can even buy coke billboards for your model RR layout. |
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| My favorite soft drink, Diet Coke also figures in plenty of ads. (source) |
Along highways and country roads more billboards appeared in the past, but pressure from advocates of natural beauty and scenery have reduced the number of them somewhat. They are still with us wherever we go. It's easy to stop "seeing" them, so I thought I would share with Sami's weekly outdoor art blog event, and also with the weekly drink party at Elizabeth's blog.
Blog post by mae sander, © 2021. Images as credited.
Coke billboards are almost a staple through generations.
ReplyDeleteI love those Coke ads. Like you, diet Coke is my favorite. I only drink it about every six months or so, since coffee is my drink of choice most days. The signs are great and I like how some of them show their age, too. Thanks for sharing these with us at both Monday Murals and T Stands For Tuesday. You couldn't have found a better drink post to share this week, Mae. I really enjoyed reading about the logo over the years, too.
ReplyDeletecoke is awful, but this mural is perfect
ReplyDeleteI recognise the first one in the montage is in Sydney, Australia.
ReplyDeleteThat is so very cool.
ReplyDeleteThey are the most widely seen signs here as they sponsor store name signage in exchange for free advertising, for shops that sell Coke. A win-win all around.
ReplyDeleteThe Coke label seems to have been very consistent over the decades. I admit I have drank their products & kept them in business. sigh
ReplyDeleteGreat post, you are right these artists we take their work for granted.
ReplyDeleteOh, boy, the second lettering in the link you provided looks... huhhhh... horrible. I think with that as logo they would´ve failed becoming so big!
Coca Cola has an artistic font. Lots of great looks here, but my favorites are still the Christmas print ads of long ago! (I'm into Diet Coke Zero and Caffeine Free Diet Coke).
ReplyDeleteA lot of different Coke signs. I had never seen one with other colours like the top one, only the red and white ones.
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating in Monday Murals Mae.
Hi, interesting post and I enjoyed it. I have been watching about the history of food brands on the history channel the last few months and advertising becomes a part of that history too.
ReplyDeleteHappy T
I once read that if the entire world financial structure were to fail, Coca Cola would be the one company able to rebuild on the basis of its logo alone.
ReplyDeleteGreat look at the advertising art around food and drink- and Coke is a classic. I used to love cherry vanilla coke but haven't had any kind of soda in our home for some years now. Happy T day!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a pop drinker...especially coke but there is something very nostalgic about the logo.
ReplyDeleteHappy T day!
I always remember the CocaCola Santa advertising. The image all of us of a certain age have of him was created by "Ad-men".
ReplyDeleteI always remember the CocaCola Santa advertising. The image all of us of a certain age have of him was created by "Ad-men".
ReplyDeleteI shared one last week.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post, I don't think there are so many billboard ads for Cola here, but they have some cool TV ads. Happy T day, Valerie
ReplyDeleteFabulous, such an interesting post! Last Christmas we had the big red Coca Cola Truck passed our house in a Christmas parade, such fun 😀. Happy T Day! Hugs, Jo x
ReplyDeleteHi Mae,
ReplyDeleteThey have a lovely ad on TV for coke at Christmas in the UK,with the the truck, I do like to drink it occasionally but I'm not a lovely of fizzy drinks.
Happy T Day
Jan
I am not a big fan of most advertisements, but Coke advertisements are almost old friends and I never mind them. I watched a special the Pepsi versus Coke wars on Saturday - it was very interesting. Thanks for sharing these great pictures and that super article, Mae. Happy T-day!
ReplyDeleteI like that painted building wall. That ts great art, even though it is on a building. A bit Andy Warhol Campbell soup can. And nice advertising too. Have a super T day Mae. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteI don't drink Coca Cola (I only use it occasionally to unblock my drains or to polish a dirty coin.)
ReplyDeleteBut the history of their advertising is very interesting. It must have worked as everywhere in the world there is coke.
We have large billboards here but I have never seen a Coca Cola bill board in real life. (Only on photos)
The urban mural is great! And the article about the advert very interesting.
Happy T-Day,
Hugs,
Lisca
I remember a huge Coke billboard here in Memphis that lit up. I was actually sorry to see it go lol Happy T Tuesday
ReplyDeleteWow great post on the logo for coke. So many wonderful designs. Have a great day today.
ReplyDeleteI don't drink Coke but I do enjoy their vintage ads.
ReplyDeleteHappy Tea Day,
Kate
I enjoy looking at print ads. Great inspiration for artwork. Happy T Day
ReplyDeleteAnother interesting post Mae! I don't drink it often - but I do like Coke! Happy T day,Chrisx
ReplyDeleteA great T Day post! Love all the coke signs. At first I thought we were in Atlanta! LOL Happy T Day.
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