Thank you, Atlanta

Muhtar Kent, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Coca-Cola Company
125th Anniversary Building Illumination
Atlanta, GA
May 6, 2011

Distinguished leaders from: our Diplomatic Community... our government and civic communities... our academic institutions... our friends from the media from all over the world... our clergy... our great business partners from around the country and the world... and to the great men and women of the Coca-Cola family. Good evening, everyone!

And thank you for joining us during this historic time for Coca-Cola. Ladies and gentlemen - 125 years ago at this very moment, a brilliant inventor, scientist and entrepreneur by the name of Dr. John Pemberton was around the corner here in his studio putting the final touches on his latest invention.

Like tonight, the sun was going down... a refreshing breeze was stirring... a sense of calm had returned to our beautiful Southern town. But in his studio, Dr. Pemberton was fast at work perfecting a soft drink formula that blended natural spices and flavorings from exotic locations all around the world. He was getting close but he needed just a little more time to get his formula to the point of absolute perfection.

Less than two days later, perfection was achieved. On the afternoon of May 8th 1886, Dr. Pemberton walked through the doors of Jacobs Pharmacy over on Marietta Street and poured the very first serving of Coca-Cola. It was the culmination of a multi-year journey to create the world's greatest tasting beverage.

What transpired on that warm and sunny Atlanta afternoon a century and a quarter ago was more than just the birth of a delicious and refreshing soft drink. It was the beginning of what I believe is the greatest brand-building journey the world has ever known. A journey made possible and fueled by today's bottling partners. A journey also guided by our dedicated customers and partners... our committed community leaders and our loyal shareholders and pay tribute to all you have done for the Coca-Cola family here in Atlanta and around the world.

We like to think Coca-Cola is more than just a drink. It's the great connector. A shared experience - a common thread that ties our diverse world together.

And through the inspired brilliance, creativity and passion of Dr. Pemberton and so many great Coca-Cola and Atlanta community leaders who followed him we have built a company, a system and a brand that is leaning forward to the next 125 years.

Tonight is our chance to begin saying "thank you" to Atlanta and to all the invaluable people, partners and places who have helped get us to this remarkable point in history.

The illumination you are about to see behind you on our North Avenue Tower puts the spotlight on you... on this great community... and on our extraordinary brand that you helped build and support.

Think of it as the world's largest thank you card we will share through the month of May with Atlanta and all of our people, partners and friends around the world.

Now, using the same gavel used by Robert Woodruff to celebrate our 50th and 75th anniversaries... the same gavel used by Roberto Goizueta to celebrate our 100th anniversary... I hereby ring in the official beginning of our 125th Anniversary celebration of Coca-Cola.