News Release
A COCA-COLA CAMPUS
College on the 'Coke Side of Life'
TUCSON, July 16, 2008 -
University of Arizona students and faculty might notice a little more
red on campus when they return for classes for the fall semester.
Beginning this month, the UA will get a taste of college on the 'Coke
Side of Life' as Coca-Cola replaces Pepsi as the primary beverage
served on campus.
Coca-Cola was selected as the exclusive beverage provider for the
University of Arizona through a comprehensive Request for Proposal
process, which included a six-month review. As part of the exclusive
10-year deal between Coca-Cola North America (CCNA), Coca-Cola Enterprises
(CCE) and the UA, products from Coca-Cola will be offered in every
vending machine and fountain outlet across every University-operated
dining location on the UA's main campus.
"We've enjoyed a wonderful relationship with Pepsi-Cola
for the past 10 years and now look forward to establishing a similar
relationship with Coca-Cola," said Dr. Dan Adams, UA associate
vice president for student affairs. "We're excited to welcome
Coca-Cola to the UA community and look forward to collaborating with
our new partners to create exclusive programs to help enhance campus
life for our students."
Coca-Cola will directly support and provide funding for student-run
programs within the UA's Center for Student Involvement &
Leadership, wellness and diversity initiatives and the Vice President's
program for funding creative excellence through the Office of Student
Affairs. In addition, Coca-Cola is underwriting Freshman Convocation
activities, speaker series and the Accolades student recognition program.
Coca-Cola is also bringing several new enhancements to the UA campus
that will directly benefit all students, staff and faculty. Foremost,
the UA's CatCard program will expand as Coke is providing new
vending machines that will accept the University's meal plans
via the student's CatCard, allowing students to use their CatCards
to purchase Coca-Cola beverages throughout the campus. These new machines
will also accept Master Card and Visa credit cards. In addition, Coca-Cola
is outfitting all athletic venue concessions stands with new menu
boards and fountain dispensing equipment.
"We're ready to kick off an exciting and mutually beneficial
relationship with the University of Arizona and make Coca-Cola part
of the Wildcat tradition," said Sharon Byers, vice president,
National Programs and Regional Asset Management, Coca-Cola North America.
"When students, faculty and staff gather to learn, study, celebrate
and create Wildcat memories, the brands of The Coca-Cola Company --
from Coca-Cola to vitaminwater -- will be there to refresh and
uplift them."
Coca-Cola is already working to create customized marketing programs
and sampling opportunities for UA students and faculty that will feature
multiple brands from the Coca-Cola beverage portfolio. Key focal points
for activation will include the Arizona Student Unions and Campus
Dining Services, other areas within UA Student Affairs and UA Athletics.
A significant piece of the multi-year partnership, which makes Coca-Cola
the official soft drink of the Arizona Wildcats, includes sponsorship
elements managed by Arizona Athletics and IMGCollege. The sponsorship
will include such programs as retail marketing promotions, stadium
signage, individual game day sponsorships, Fan Fiesta entitlement,
official partnership with ArizonaAthletics.com and Olympic sports
sponsorships.
"The athletic department is extremely pleased to have Coca-Cola
join our corporate partner team," said UA Athletic Director Jim
Livengood. "Arizona has become one of the most recognized programs
in the nation just as Coca-Cola has become a global leader in the
marketplace. We are excited and look forward to a long relationship
between our two organizations."
The sponsorship commitment is one of the most significant sports
sponsorships for Arizona Athletics and allows multiple Coca-Cola brands
to connect with Wildcat fans at all levels.
"We are eager to provide UA students with their favorite beverages
from our extensive portfolio," said Jeff Sigmen, vice president,
On-Premise, Coca-Cola Enterprises. "Students will soon be able
to enjoy college on the 'Coke Side of Life' and we look
forward to a decade of refreshing the University of Arizona while
providing world class customer service."
The Campus Dining Service, Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola (the UA's
previous beverage provider) are working closely together to ensure
a smooth transition over the summer, with minimal impact to UA students
and the campus.
About The University of Arizona
Located in Tucson, Ariz., the UA is one of the nation's leading public
universities, with a long history of academic excellence, research
innovation and a student-centered approach. A member of the prestigious
Association of American Universities, the UA is ranked 13th among
public universities by the National Science Foundation with total
research expenditures last year of $530 million. With more than 37,000
students across three campuses representing 50 states and 124 nations,
the UA is on the forefront of discoveries -- from the depths of
space to the medical and genetic mysteries of life, from emerging
trends in climate change to the broad complexities of the human condition.
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage
company, refreshing consumers with more than 450 sparkling and still
brands. Along with Coca-Cola®, recognized as the
world's most valuable brand, the Company's portfolio includes 12 other
billion dollar brands, including Diet Coke®, Fanta®, Sprite®,
Coca-Cola Zero®, vitaminwater, Powerade®, Minute
Maid® and Georgia Coffee®. Globally, we are the No.1 provider
of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink
teas and coffees. Through the world's largest beverage distribution
system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages
at a rate of 1.5 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment
to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives
that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic
development of the communities where we operate. For more information
about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.
About Coca-Cola Enterprises
Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) is the world's largest marketer, distributor,
and producer of bottle and can liquid nonalcoholic refreshment. CCE
sells approximately 80 percent of The Coca-Cola Company's bottle and
can volume in North America and is the sole licensed bottler for products
of The Coca-Cola Company in Belgium, continental France, Great Britain,
Luxembourg, Monaco, and the Netherlands. For more information about
CCE, please visit: www.cokecce.com
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