Dive Summary:
- Coca-Cola will launch a print ad in USA Today for the Atlanta area on Wednesday, with ads in more publications to follow, beginning a campaign to defend its ingredient aspartame as a safe sweetener alternative.
- The company is seeking to combat criticism that its drinks contribute to obesity as regular and diet soda sales decline in the U.S.
- The beverage giant will be monitoring responses to the first ads as it evaluates how to expand its efforts, according to Caren Pasquale Seckler, vice president of social commitment at Coca-Cola, who was cited in an Associated Press report.
Dive Insight:
Declining soft drink consumption in the U.S. got a significant amount of attention during Coca-Cola's Q2 earnings report. The company would certainly like to remedy that problem if possible. In the meantime, it is exploring stevia-sweetened alternatives in Argentina.