Dr. John S. Pemberton initially created Coca-Cola in 1886 with the hope to find success after a harsh battle in the Civil War. At first, Pemberton only had sales of his beverage of about nine drinks per day; today there are approximately one point nine billion beverages sold daily. In the beginning, Coca-Cola designed ads for a particular demographic; meaning that each ad was only effectively reaching a fixed number of individuals pertaining to the demographic. This could help explain why the sales were so low initially. Today, Coca-Cola advertisements have become less focused on reaching a particular demographic, but instead a large variety of people. However, each ad created throughout the past one hundred and twenty nine years effectively reached the demographic it was aimed towards, but sometimes promoted other things rather than the beverage.

 

            I think that the first ad analyzed in 1905 was effective for the decade it was created in because at the time men really had to work hard to support their family during Reconstruction. Businessmen and schoolboys needed relief from a long day, and the ad is demonstrating that Coca-Cola is capable of bringing the needed relief. The young boy demonstrated that all ages were able to enjoy the drink. I think this ad is favoring the working upper class because the only workingwomen were underclass factory workers, and the ad only shows males who needed thirst and weariness satisfied. When I look at the ad, it does not capture my attention because it only consists of two colors. However, if I would have seen the ad during the time period is was created in, I do not think it would have reached me because I would have thought it was a “male only” drink because only males are shown in the ad. 

 

            The second ad created in the 1920’s seemed to be more effective in reaching the intended audience. I think this ad had a clearer demonstration of what the beverage would bring through words and clear facial expressions. Unlike the previous ad, this ad clearly showsed smiling that is aimed at the drink. It also has words that explain that the beverage is reaching out to an even larger demographic because it is a fashionable glass. The woman and two men are also wearing fashionable apparel that was popular during the time to correspond with the fashionable drink. I am attracted to this ad because It illustrates fashion during the time and fashion history is interesting to me.

 

            I personally think that the third ad that was created in 1955 was just as effective as the 1920’s ad because they both demonstrate Americans’ values at the time. People during the fifties valued family, and the ad illustrated a family benefiting from the new thriving economy after the war; like most families at the time. I believe that stating how many are sold a day was very effective to viewers because people would not be as interested to try the beverage if they knew not many people bought it. This ad effectively showed the happiness Coca-Cola brought to the prospering American Family. In my opinion, showing what most people value at the time is a very effective tool in advertisement. The 1920’s and 1955 ad both show males and females enjoying the beverage rather than just one, which is showing that the company is now reaching a larger demographic; different from the 1905 ad. However, all three ads are limiting to only the Caucasian demographic.

 

            Even though the fourth advertisement in 1992 supports and promotes the Olympic games through the medal winning baseball player, I do not think it is that effective in promoting the actual product. Many people would question how and why soda could bring such success. Many people would agree it is refreshing, but not in regards to athletics. However, I do think the company effectively used logos to appeal to the logic of drinking the beverage; it will induce success. The ad also appropriately used emotions that arose from drinking Coca-Cola. Even though the Olympics is world-wide, only Americans would be interested in American athletes, so this ad still only reaches a limited demographic. I am not drawn to this ad because I do not think soda should be associated with athletics. Although, this ad could have been more easily seen to the world because of the worldwide event. Overall, this ad seemed to have promoted the Olympics Games and Andy Benes more than the beverage because most people do not associate soda with athletic success.

 

            Instead of trying to convince people to drink the beverage, I think the fifth ad created in 2014 is only trying to promote and advertise the brand. With close to two billion beverages sold a day, the company does not need to convince people to drink it since Coca-Cola is known globally in this era now. I think the company effectively promoted their product because the ad is easy and quick to look at. Most people today only look at ads quickly and this ad can grab a viewer’s attention because it is easy to understand at first glance and a viewer can obtain all the information on the ad in just a few seconds. Unlike each previous ad, this ad is modeling Hispanics, which is reaching out to both genders and an ethnicity other than Caucasian. This ad seems to be the most appealing to me because it is easy to understand the main point with just a glance. The other ads required more time to understand and only modeled Caucasians; making this particular ad unique and modern.

 

            In conclusion, Dr. Pemberton seemed to have achieved the success he anticipated after the Civil War. Each ad had a particular demographic that it effectively reached by maintaining the same appeal of pathos, which was happiness. Through a demonstration of happiness in each ad, the company was able to increase the daily sales to one point nine billion a day. I think that the use of Hispanic models in the last advertisement was highly beneficial to the company because it is demonstrating that Coca-Cola is unbiased to ethnicity. Throughout time, Coca-Cola successfully broadened the intended demographic in each ad throughout the past one hundred and twenty nine years to be a favored beverage globally.