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MacGillivray Freeman Films Partners with Coca-Cola on Arctic Home Campaign to Protect Polar Bears


Message from MacGillivray Freeman Films:

“To support this exciting campaign, MacGillivray Freeman Films is doing what we do best: using film to tell a compelling story. Beginning in November, Coca-Cola’s Arctic Home television commercials and website content will feature sneak preview footage from our upcoming IMAX® film To The Arctic 3D, a co-production with Warner Bros. Pictures and IMAX Corporation and the first film presentation of One World One Ocean, scheduled for release in IMAX® theatres 2012.   Our footage brings to life the story of the polar bear and will inspire consumers to take action to protect the polar bear’s habitat. This marks the first time one of our films—or any giant-screen film for that matter–has been so extensively integrated into a cause-related public engagement campaign of this scope.”

(ATLANTA, USA) – Beginning November 2011, white will be the new red. Coca-Cola and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) are joining forces in a bold new campaign to help protect the polar bear’s Arctic home. For the first time ever, Coca-Cola is turning its iconic red cans white in celebration of the polar bear and committing up to $3 million to WWF’s polar bear conservation efforts. The Company is also asking fans in the U.S. to join the “Arctic Home” campaign by texting donations.

“We want to help the polar bear—a beloved Coca-Cola icon since 1922—by helping conserve its Arctic habitat,” said Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. “That’s why we’re using one of our greatest assets—our flagship brand, Coca-Cola—to raise awareness for this important cause. And by partnering with WWF, we can truly make a positive difference for these majestic animals.”

First Ever White Packaging Encourages $1 Text Donation to WWF
This holiday season, more than 1.4 billion white Coke cans will help raise awareness and funds to protect the polar bear’s home. White bottle caps also will be on bottles of Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite, Nestea, Minute Maid and more. Coca-Cola has never before changed the color of the red can to support a cause.

Beginning November 1, 2011, the familiar red can background will be replaced with an all-white panorama, highlighted by the iconic Coca-Cola script printed in red. The eye-catching cans will feature the image of a mother bear and her two cubs making their way across the Arctic. White packaging will be on store shelves through February 2012.

Coca-Cola is making an initial donation of $2 million to WWF and inviting others to join the effort. Anyone who wants to help the polar bears can text the package code to 357357 to donate $1 to WWF. They also can donate online at ArcticHome.com, starting November 1. Coca-Cola will match all donations made with a package code by March 15, 2012, up to a total of $1 million.

“Arctic Home” Funds to Support WWF’s Polar Bear Conservation Efforts
Funds raised will go toward WWF’s conservation efforts to protect polar bear habitats—for their survival today and in the future.

“Polar bears live nowhere else except the Arctic. Their lives are intimately bound up with sea ice, which is now melting at an alarming rate,” said Carter Roberts, President and CEO of World Wildlife Fund. “By working with Coca-Cola, we can raise the profile of polar bears and what they’re facing, and most importantly, engage people to work with us, to help protect their home.”

WWF has a vision to help protect the polar bear’s Arctic home. This includes working with local residents to manage an area high in the Arctic where the summer sea ice will likely persist the longest. This area—potentially covering 500,000 square miles—could provide a home for the polar bear while protecting the cultural and economic needs of local people.


Coca-Cola Ads with Arctic IMAX® Film Footage Inspire Action

Coca-Cola and WWF also have partnered with Academy Award® nominated filmmakers MacGillivray Freeman Films, which is working with Warner Bros. Pictures and IMAX Corporation to co-produce the new IMAX® film To The Arctic 3D, scheduled for release in 2012. Coca-Cola’s “Arctic Home” television commercials and content on the website, ArcticHome.com, feature sneak preview footage from the film.

Producer Shaun MacGillivray said the film brings the polar bear story to life: “Filming To The Arctic 3D was an extraordinary journey. It makes perfect sense for our footage to be a part of ‘Arctic Home,’ inspiring action to protect the bears.”

On ArcticHome.com visitors can explore, experience and learn about the polar bear and its Arctic habitat. They can conduct live video chats with WWF scientists, track virtual polar bear sightings and make donations. Supporters of “Arctic Home” also can help spread the word to their friends and families by sharing content using the hashtag #ArcticHome.  

About World Wildlife Fund
World Wildlife Fund is the world’s largest conservation organization, working in 100 countries for half a century. With some five million members worldwide, WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, stop the degradation of the environment and combat climate change. Visit www.worldwildlife.org.

About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, the world’s most valuable brand, the Company’s portfolio features 15 billion dollar brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply and Georgia. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Visit  www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

About MacGillivray Freeman Films
MacGillivray Freeman Films is the world’s best-selling independent filmmaker of films for IMAX and other giant-screen theatres with more than 35 giant-screen films to its credit. Throughout the company’s 40-year history, its films have won numerous international awards including two Academy Award® nominations for Best Documentary Short Subject. The company’s blockbuster film Everest remains the top-grossing giant-screen film in history. To The Arctic 3D follows in the company’s long tradition of producing films that call attention to important issues in the natural world. It is the first film presentation of One World One Ocean, a multi-year, multi-platform non-profit campaign established by company founder Greg MacGillivray to spark a global movement to protect the world’s oceans. Visit www.oneworldoneocean.org/tothearctic.

Judith Rubin
Judith Rubin
Judith Rubin ([email protected]) is a leading journalist, content marketing specialist and connector in the international attractions industry. She reports on design and technical design, production and project management, industry trends and company culture. From 2005-2020 she ran communications and publications for the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). In 2013, she was honored with the TEA Service Award. She was development director of IMERSA and publicist for the Large Format Cinema Association, and has contributed to the publications of PLASA, IAAPA and the International Planetarium Society. Judith joined World’s Fair magazine in 1987, which introduced her to the attractions industry. She joined InPark in 2010. Judith earned a BFA from Pratt Institute. She has lived in Detroit, New York, Oakland, and now Saint Louis, where she is active in the local arts community.

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