SPRITE LAUNCHES SPRITE TEA, A NEW INNOVATIVE TEA FLAVORED SPARKLING BEVERAGE IN CHINA

Coca-Cola is combining China's two most popular beverages Sprite and green tea into one: Sprite Tea. At the same time Brand Sprite is being revitalized with the theme of "Spark Fresh Thinking."

SHANGHAI, March 25, 2010  -  Brand Sprite announced today its new brand theme of "Spark Fresh Thinking" and the launch of a new product, Sprite Ice Tea Essence (Sprite Tea), in China. Sprite Tea is the combination of China 's two most popular beverages -- as it blends local green tea flavors into a sparkling beverage and creates a remarkable mashup of extraordinary tastes and sensations. The launch of Sprite Tea shows that Sprite is an innovative leader in setting trends in the beverage industry in China.

"Sprite is the number one sparkling brand in volume share in China and China is now the largest market for Brand Sprite globally. Sprite has maintained 7 years of consecutive double digit growth in China, with an 18% growth in 2009. With the launch of Sprite Tea and our 'Spark Fresh Thinking,' we look forward to further enhancing the momentum of Brand Sprite in China," said Andres Kiger, Senior Marketing Director of Coca-Cola Greater China.

To appeal to younger generations and further drive up brand love, Sprite revitalizes its theme this year from "Cools you down, frees you up" to "Spark Fresh Thinking," boosting its lifestyle appeal and evoking new inspirations through fusion and mashups everywhere. A big launch event held March 25 in Shanghai was itself an amazing illustration of "Spark Fresh Thinking." Jay Chou, spokesperson of Sprite and super pop star in China, carried out an Avatar-like 4D performance across the screen and stage, transporting over 1,000 fans and audiences into an inspiration-filled wonderland.

The innovative new Sprite Tea is another ultimate example of "Spark Fresh Thinking;" its unique, refreshing taste comes from a crossover between green tea flavors and Sprite. "Sprite Tea has been on our agenda for more than a year," said Ella Liu, Sprite Brand Director of Coca-Cola Greater China. "We have spent a lot of time and resources through massive consumer testing to fine-tune the taste of Sprite Tea, including having the right amount of tea essence and percentage of bubbles. We are confident that Sprite Tea will be welcomed by Chinese consumers." Sprite Tea is also the first sparkling innovation created from Coca-Cola Global Innovation and Technology Center after its opening in March 2009 in Shanghai. "With Sprite Tea, we will set a new benchmark in the beverage industry," said Liu.

Sprite Tea is set to breathe new life in the China beverage market. With Chinese consumers enduring love for tea, ready-to-drink tea consumption in China has increased over 30% annually in recent years, and in general, tea and sparkling beverages make up over 20% of the entire Chinese beverage sector. Mashing up local green tea flavors with the most well-known lemonade sparkling beverage, Sprite Tea is anticipated to directly impact the competition in both the sparkling beverage segment and the tea flavor beverage segment in China.

Nationally, Sprite Tea will be launched through a comprehensive and impressive marketing campaign.

"We will introduce experiential Sprite Tea sampling stations across China and will provide 15 million free drinks to domestic consumers, the largest new product sampling ever in Coca-Cola China System. We'll let Sprite Tea speak for itself," said Kiger. Supported by strong television commercials, on-line activation as well as outdoor and in-store advertising, the nationwide launch of Sprite Tea is expected to further enhance the leadership of Sprite in China 's sparkling beverage industry.

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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. Together with Coca-Cola®, recognized as the world's most valuable brand, the Company's portfolio includes 14 billion dollar brands, including Diet Coke®, Fanta®, Sprite®, Coca-Cola Zero®, vitaminwater, Powerade®, Minute Maid®, Simply® 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 1.6 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.

Coca-Cola Beverages ( Shanghai ) Ltd.
Coca-Cola is one of the most well-known international brands in China, with a leading position in the soft drinks market. Since re-entering China in 1979, Coca-Cola has invested more than USD 2 billion in the local market. By the end of October 2009, China Business Unit has established a total of 39 bottling plants. Now the Coca-Cola system employs more than 40,000 people, virtually 99% of which are local-hires. The system also has donated more than RMB 70 million to support China 's national and regional social charity undertakings. Immediately after the Sichuan earthquake, the Coca-Cola System (including Coca-Cola ( China ) Beverages Ltd., COFCO Coca-Cola Beverages Ltd., Coca-Cola China Industries Ltd., and Swire Beverages Ltd.) donated RMB 20 million in immediate relief support. Another RMB 80 million was further donated to help with reconstruction of schools destroyed by the earthquake, with total contributions of RMB 100 million in disaster-relief and re-building efforts. For more information about our Company, please visit our Web site at www.coca-cola.com.cn.

Sprite now is the number one sparkling brand in volume share in China. A.C. Nielson, 2009

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