Get Ready; More Soft Drink Advertising Is Coming

By Nathan Young on February 25, 2014

Soft drinks have a very long history in the south. In fact, the four major soft drink brands, Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola, Dr. Pepper, and RC Cola, were all invented in the south! The most iconic brand in the south is Coca Cola, which got its start by pharmacist John Stith Pemberton in 1886 in Columbus, Georgia. Interesting fact, RC Cola also got its start in Columbus, Georgia in 1905 by pharmacist Claud A. Hatcher. Dr. Pepper was created in the 1880s by Charles Alderton of Waco, Texas. And Pepsi-Cola was created by pharmacist Caleb Bradham in the 1880’s in New Bern, North Carolina.

In the south, you see many antiques featuring Coca-Cola, and I recommend that you go visit the World of Coca-Cola museum in Atlanta. You even see plenty of soft drink advertising at schools like on the scoreboards. But the other soft drink brands wants their name put out there as well. And in Birmingham, Buffalo Rock, that distributes Pepsi products, is about to have the ultimate advertising spot, over downtown Birmingham.

http://twitter.com/Lindsaymoore/status/438373526052274176

The Two North Twentieth building in downtown has had a lighted sign on the top of the building where it shared updates on community happenings. Earlier this month, the sign was switched off for good. And a new sign is being installed on top of the 17-story building. The double-sided vinyl sign measuring 176-foot by 57-foot, will feature a blue background with the words “Pepsi” and “A Southern Original.” Here is what the sign will look like below.

Workers are now installing this sign on top of the building, but there might be one problem. The Birmingham Design Review Committee might have to approve this sign. And many people commenting online are already saying, seeing a major billboard overlooking downtown Birmingham for a soft drink, is going to look ugly and tacky. Regardless, you will soon see this Pepsi sign, overlooking downtown Birmingham. And yes, I think Buffalo Rock is smart, since tourists often take photos of downtown Birmingham on Red Mountain, this vinyl sign is going to be the third biggest Pepsi sign in America. And many people are going to see it in person, or online. And that begs the question, what is the most popular southern soft drink?

Night lights in Birmingham Saturday – a beautiful city not in need of a giant Pepsi ad. @WadeOnTweets @zacksyl @spann pic.twitter.com/SWhmPiukXI

— Rachel Callahan (@ObjectivityRach) February 24, 2014

Some people in the south will say it’s Coca-Cola, some say it’s Pepsi, some say it’s Dr. Pepper, and yes, some say it’s RC Cola. Everyone has a different preference when it comes to their favorite soft drink. But one thing is for sure, the soft drink advertising wars is going to continue, and you will see more people buying soft drinks at their local stores. Soft drink companies are losing some sales from health conscious people, and since some studies have said that consuming soft drinks leads towards obesity, the soft drink companies have to advertise, and advertise some more, to get their message out there.

The giant Pepsi sign in downtown Birmingham is just the beginning. Coca-Cola and the other soft drink companies are going all out to advertise their products. So what’s next, a Coca-Cola wrap over a building in downtown Birmingham? Or a freeway sponsored by RC Cola? Or vehicles sponsored by Dr. Pepper? You are going to see more soft drink advertising in the near future, because these companies wants you to buy their products, even if they factor into obesity. Crazy right?