June 19, 2017
@CocaCola/Twitter
Coca-Cola targets tweet at Pittsburgh residents with a map of Philadelphia.
It's hard being a soda company these days. Pepsi failed miserably trying to make a commercial that fused themes of social justice, celebrity, unity and refreshment. Then they came up with Pepsi Fire and people were even less enthused. Now you've got more cities taxing soda, public health cramping profit margins and mounting attacks on the illusion of diet soda.
On Monday, it was Coca-Cola's turn to take the heat, when all the company wanted was to help people beat it.
It started with this seemingly innocent tweet intended for the parched residents of Pittsburgh.
Today’s forecast in Pittsburgh: Record heat, followed by an ice-cold wave of ahhhhhhhh. #ShareaCoke pic.twitter.com/tr28Ia0bxo
— Coca-Cola (@CocaCola) June 18, 2017
As you can see, the territory depicted in this map is not Pittsburgh, but Philadelphia and the surrounding area. Not that we couldn't use it here too. It's almost 90 degrees, muggy as can be and about to pour.
In any case, Twitter jumped all over Coca-Cola for the error.
Jesus, the map even says PHILADELPHIA. How hard can this be?!?
— Fleurette (@Fleurette15236) June 18, 2017
@CocaCola is this some sort of joke or something? Last time I checked, Pittsburgh isn't Philadelphia pic.twitter.com/5OIQUzD5Pw
— Tyler Gorse (@tygorse97) June 17, 2017
You realize that's a map of Philadelphia right? I predict a decline In sales of #CocaCola in the #Pittsburgh area in the near future!
— Kimmy🌻 (@missbkimmer) June 19, 2017
IN WEST PITTSBURGH BORN AND RAISED, ITS NOT PHILADELPHIA SO I GOTTA GO OUT OF MY WAY, FILLING OUT, CHECKING, COPYING THESE FORMS
— Guillotine Wanter (@Siljmonster) June 18, 2017
It clearly says Philadelphia
— Nick Clarke (@clarkenick23) June 18, 2017
Ahem... "I was elected to represent the people of Pittsburgh, not Philadelphia."
— bill peduto (@billpeduto) June 19, 2017
Right Mayor @PhillyMayor https://t.co/38BRCgxzjs
That awkward moment when your intern doesn't know the difference between Pittsburgh and Philly, and how different the two cities really are.
— Christopher Fort (@Cfortbowls) June 19, 2017
coca cola staff membr 1: what's that big city in PA called again? pittsburgh?
— maur (@mauraflem) June 17, 2017
mem. 2: i thought it was philadelphia? prolly the same thing. https://t.co/L734ZSqDtj
So is it Always Sunny In Pittsburgh?
— Ben Aksar (@BenAksar) June 18, 2017
Even if you knew Pittsburgh from Philly your sugar loaded chemical concoction does nothing to quench thirst. Water and beer for me numbnuts.
— Arnold Slick (@KevinHussey4) June 18, 2017
I hate @pepsi but after this insult to the #CityOfChampions I just may have to switch it up now. Apologize to Pittsburgh! 😂
— Dalton (@BuccosPride412) June 18, 2017
The worst part about this, for us, is that Coca-Cola's mistake turned into Pittsburgh people ragging on the Flyers.
Pittsburgh is the much better sports city
— 🐧🏆 (@ChrisBolden1113) June 19, 2017
the difference is pittsburgh knows how to win. philly not so much
— 🎈Alex Milliken🎈 (@magnoliamanager) June 18, 2017
It's ok @CocaCola. Be glad your drink comes in bottles. Philly hasn't had a Cup in town since 1975z
— Tom (@napatom2005) June 19, 2017
This is Philadelphia. pic.twitter.com/ZF8br2pgcV
— Rob Z. (@PGHfan72) June 18, 2017
In a statement obtained by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Joshua Axelrod, Coca-Cola followed the classic method of deflecting a public gaffe: reiterate the point of the campaign while downplaying the mistake.
.@CocaCola's statement to the @PittsburghPG apologizing for courting Pittsburgh with a Philadelphia map pic.twitter.com/IBukil9GbE
— (((Joshua Axelrod))) (@jaxel222) June 19, 2017
"We sincerely apologize to our loyal fans for using a Philly map in our recent tweet. To our fans in both cities, we promise this error has been corrected," the statement reads. "This summer we are exploring innovative, adaptive technologies to serve up personalized content to our fans when the weather heats up, and remind them there's nothing better than sharing an ice-cold Coke. In this case, our map accidentally missed the mark."
Next up, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group.
