In 2011, Coca‑Cola Australia launched ‘Share a Coke’, an iconic marketing campaign that made an impact on a global scale. The simple creative idea of turning Coca‑Cola bottles and cans into personalised keepsakes by swapping out the logo with popular first names has encouraged fans to connect and make memories with friends and loved ones.
Almost 800 million Coca-Cola labels were personalised, printed on HP Indigo digital presses across Europe, with a special ink pre-mixed by HP Indigo to match the iconic Coca-Cola red colour consistency across multiple label converters and digital presses.
‘Share a Coke’ is making a timely comeback in 2025 as Gen Z seeks authentic connection in an increasingly digital world. The campaign will encourage this audience to tap into the nostalgia of personalising a can of Coca‑Cola as a creative way to show their friends, loved ones, and community that they see them – a reminder that all it takes to spark a connection is a simple act of sharing.
The 2025 iteration of the groundbreaking campaign fuses digital and IRL experiences with increased shareability and customisation. Starting in April, consumers will begin finding Coca‑Cola cans or bottles with names on store shelves. The rolling global launch will ultimately include over 120 countries.
The Coca‑Cola mobile app and on-pack QR codes provide a gateway to the ‘Share a Coke’ digital hub, where fans can customise Coca‑Cola packaging with additional names and access the ‘Share a Coke Memory Maker’, an interactive digital experience to create personalised videos with their own content and memes to share with friends – all in the spirit of celebrating friendships by turning everyday moments into lasting, shareable memories.
Other ‘Share a Coke’ elements include ‘The Magic of Sharing’ film, partnering with influencers to reach the post-millennials on relevant social media platforms, striking outdoor creative highlighting the energy and excitement of friendship, and ‘Share a Meal’ bundles at McDonald’s restaurants in select countries, and more.
“The iconic ‘Share a Coke’ is back and supercharged at a global level, celebrating the pure magic that happens when people connect,” says Islam ElDessouky, Global Vice President Creative Strategy & Content, The Coca‑Cola Company.
As digital natives, Gen Z’s digital interactions can feel fleeting, fuelling a desire for real life engagement. As Gen Z seeks authenticity and connection with people in real life in a world where interactions online can feel momentary, sharing a Coke offers a tangible way to show you care.
“It’s not just about likes and shares… we’re talking real-world moments, amplified,” says ElDessouky.
‘Share a Coke’ honours the friendships and online experiences that define this generation, as well as the physical spaces that allow moments of togetherness to thrive through spontaneous moments of laughter, stories, and fun.
“Get ready for a whole new level of sharing with fresh experiences and ways to spark joy with your crew. We’re bringing new channels and experiences to this campaign to help people uplift friendships through real-life everyday moments,” adds ElDessouky.
