Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Video: New Coke Commercial Reminds Us How We Get Fat
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 14, 2013
Modified Jan 14, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 14, 2013
Modified Jan 14, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Today Coca-Cola joined the esteemed class of corporations who warn their consumers that their products may be hazardous with a new two minute advertisement entitled "Coming Together." The ad gives us the unvarnished truth: "If you eat and drink more calories than you burn off, you'll gain weight." The video also explains what happens when "a mommy and daddy love each other very much," where old doggies go when they go away for a long time, and how digging that hole to China may take longer than you think.
"There's an important conversation going on about obesity out there, and we want to be a part of the conversation," Stuart Kronauge, the general manager of sparkling beverages told the AP, presumably referring to that guy who comes up to you at parties and says, "Does anyone want a Coke?"
Mike Jacobson, the executive director for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, was less optimistic: "It looks like a page out of damage control 101. They're trying to disarm the public."
For instance, the narrator in the ad says, "all calories count, no matter where they come from, including Coca-Cola and everything else with calories." What the ad fails to mention is that liquid calories have a stronger impact on the body than solid calories because the body doesn't recognize them and reduce caloric intake later. Liquid calories are the largest source of calories in our diet.
The ad also unintentionally shows how powerful the company really is when it comes to impacting the health of the country: they make 650 different types of beverages! 180 of them are "low and no calorie choices" while the rest are presumably refreshing and delicious.
Coca-Cola's new commercial debuts during tonight's cable news broadcast, and will also run during American Idol (a show that depicts its stars drinking Coca-Cola products), airing during the portions of the show when people get up off their couches to get something to drink, say, a Coca-Cola.
Tagged
coca-cola
coke
diet coke
obesity epidemic
soda
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Oct 19, 2026
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .