Coca-Cola have announced the return of their famous Christmas Truck Tour across the nation, aiming to spread the festive spirit and raise awareness for some societal issues.
The popular annual Christmas tour undertaken by the large red truck will be hitting cities across the UK in 2024, in support of FareShare, the country’s largest charity in fighting food waste and hunger.
Each person that attends the Coca-Cola Christmas Truck Tour will have the equivalent of a meal donated on their behalf, with the soft drink company aiming to donate up to the equivalent of one million meals through FareShare this Christmas period.
The iconic red truck is making its return (Getty/Peter John Dickson)
The charity works with the food industry to help redistribute surplus food to 8,000 charities and community groups in the UK.
In 2024, the Coca-Cola Truck Tour aims to focus on spreading kindness, with the company’s Christmas campaign message being: “The World Needs More Santas”.
Encouraging visitors to spread their Christmas spirit by sharing acts of kindness, the truck will be parked in major cities under sparkling festive lights, while Christmas-themed games will be available to visitors, and a lucky dip to win exclusive Coca-Cola merchandise.
The Coca-Cola Truck is a food truck too, at the end of the day, so some seasonal tastes will be up for grabs along with an ice-cold Coca-Cola Zero Sugar for customers.
Other features of the Coca-Cola Christmas campaign include:
Holidays are coming advertisement
The Truck will be making its annual festive appearance on our TVs later this November, with the classic ‘Holidays Are Coming’ ad signalling the beginning of the campaign.
Coca-Cola will also introduce an AI-generated interpretation of the original advert, in a modern twist of the ad.
We’ll be seeing the truck tour the country later this month (Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)
Real magic experiences
The soft drink company will also share a ‘festive digital AI experience’, allowing people to have conversations with Santa or a snow globe avatar, creating a personalised snow globe animation that you can share with friends.
This will be accessible by scanning the QR code on a Christmas bottle or can of Coca-Cola.
‘The world needs more Santas’
The slogan is being used for the second year running, as the advert reminds everyone to spread Christmas kindness to ‘spark the inner Santa’ in us all.
This advert will be soundtracked by British singer-songwriter Celeste, with a cover of ‘Anyone Can Be Santa’.
Florence Wheatley, the marketing manager for Coca-Cola Great Britain, stated: “Coca-Cola has and remains synonymous with Christmas, with many people eagerly awaiting the Coca-Cola Christmas Truck Tour and Holidays Are Coming advert to create a little festive magic.
“This year, we’re delighted to continue our relationship with FareShare to support its mission to reduce hunger and surplus food waste. We hope that every person that attends the Truck Tour not only experiences the magic of Coca-Cola Christmas, but also supports FareShare, knowing that the equivalent of a meal has been donated on their behalf, acting as a little moment of kindness to ensure that thousands of people across the country enjoy a more meaningful Christmas.”
Coca-Cola is using AI to bring some new features to customers as part of their Christmas Campaign (Mark Renders/Getty Images)
Kirsty Ford, the Head of Fundraising at FareShare also said: “We are so grateful to Coca-Cola for their continued support for FareShare. These invaluable donations help us get good-to-eat food to the people who need it rather than going to waste. Every day, the food we redistribute to a network of over 8,000 charities in every region helps to strengthen communities. Coca-Cola’s generous support for FareShare is instrumental in helping people affected by the cost-of-living crisis. This support means charities can unite more people through food to form connections and access essential support services. Thank you for helping FareShare make the food go further.”
If you can’t visit the truck in person, a promotion with Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Coca-Cola Original Taste from November will allow fans to scan on-pack QR codes to be in with the chance to win Christmas shopping vouchers.
List of possible key destinations
- Glasgow
- Edinburgh
- Gateshead
- Leeds
- Dublin
- Belfast
- Liverpool
- Sheffield
- Manchester
- Rushden
- London
Coca-Cola Christmas Truck Tour fans can follow announcements about the schedule which will be made over the coming weeks at @CocaColaGBI (Instagram) and @CocaCola_GB (X).
Featured Image Credit: Getty Peter John Dickson / Mark Renders/Getty Images
Topics: Christmas, Charity, Food And Drink, UK News
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The chilly weather has officially arrived and men are looking to an iconic British brand to get kitted out for winter.
The high street store in question has launched a new merino wool collection that looks and feels designer — but without the hefty price tag.
There are tonnes of wardrobe heroes on offer in a load of classic colours that will look the part at your desk, at the pub, and even when the weekend rolls around.
Not only is merino wool known for its super-soft texture, the fabrication has moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating properties too — so there’s no need to sweat it out on the morning rush to work.
The best part? Unlike designer knitwear, these winter essentials are easily machine washable (30 degrees), so you don’t have to foot any dry cleaning bills.
Designed to be layered over a shirt for Monday meetings or under a wool coat for dinner, they’re sure to make a solid investment this winter and beyond — and everything is under £79.
Shop our top winter picks below:
Crew Neck Merino Jumper
Hawes & Curtis
Let’s start with a wardrobe classic: the Crew Neck Merino Jumper. Described as ‘supremely soft’, it’s available in three colours and can be worn over a shirt for work or on its own with jeans when the pub calls.
Buy now.
1/6
V Neck Merino Jumper
Hawes & Curtis
Available in three timeless colours (navy, grey, black), the V Neck Merino Jumper will refresh your 9-5 wardrobe in time for winter.
Buy now.
2/6
Half Zip Merino Jumper
Hawes & Curtis
One of our favourites, the Half Zip Jumper comes in 13 colours and has received rave reviews. One customer wrote: “Good quality, nice fit, and good for casual wear or for the office.” What more could you ask for?
Buy now.
3/6
Merino Polo Jumper
Hawes & Curtis
The Merino Polo will keep you cosy on weekend walks and work from home days. Described as a “super design and great fit” by customers, it’s perfect for when you need to look smart without compromising comfort.
Buy now.
4/6
Roll Neck Merino Jumper
Hawes & Curtis
The easiest way to look and feel smart, the Merino Roll Neck Jumper is quintessentially British and will look best under a long wool coat. A top choice for the festive season, too.
Buy now.
5/6
Zip Through Merino Jumper
Hawes & Curtis
Made to be worn over a shirt or on its own, the Zip Through Merino Jumper is the most versatile item in the range. The hero knit is available in four colours – grey, black, neutral, and navy.
Buy now.
6/6
Shop the new collection on the Hawes & Curtis website.
Featured Image Credit: Hawes & Curtis
Topics: Fashion, Shopping
McDonald’s fans rejoice, as the Saver Menu is getting a brand new burger next week – which promises to bring a touch of spice to their cost-cutting offerings.
Fans of the famed Golden Arches have been treated to some major new additions the menu in recent weeks, with the legendary McRib recently making its long-awaited comeback after a decade in the wilderness.
However, the iconic sandwich sadly won’t be becoming a permanent fixture at restaurants.
However Ronald McDonald can hear your devastation from up and down the country and has promised to soften the blow by bringing a brand new burger to UK and Irish stores.
The new product will launch on 6 November (Peter Dazeley/Getty Images)
What is the newest burger to join the McDonald’s Menu?
Launching on 6 November (which is just over a week away) is the Chilli Double Cheeseburger, which promises to ‘tantalise taste buds without breaking the bank’.
The burger comes with two 100 percent British & Irish beef patties, two slices of cheese, onions, jalapenos, pickles and spicy relish all in a soft, toasted bun – bringing a flavoursome kick to the menu staple.
This will be the first time the burger has been sold in the UK, however it is already a popular item over in South Africa.
However, the best part of the new burger is undoubtably the price, with the Chilli Double Cheeseburger set to be retailing for just £2.49 in restaurants across the UK and Ireland. Talk about a winter bargain!
Punters will be delighted to hear the Saver Menu is also getting revamp, which means there will be plenty of options to tuck into while enjoying a break from the tedious crowds while you’re doing the dreaded Christmas shopping.
What is included on the revamped Saver Menu?
The full updated McDonald’s Saver Menu (with prices) is below:
- Hamburger – £1.19
- Cheeseburger – £1.39
- Double Cheeseburger – £2.29
- Mayo Chicken – £1.39
- Small Fries – £1.19
- Mini Core McFlurry – £1.29
- Chilli Double Cheeseburger – £2.49
- Small Milkshake – £1.99
- Small Drinks – £1.19
- Americano – £1.39
- White Coffee – £1.39
The new item is a spicy twist on the classic cheeseburger (PA/Dean Edwards)
What other changes are coming to the McDonalds Menu?
There is not too much longer to wait until McDonalds launches its famed Christmas Menu – with 2023’s festive offerings landing towards the end of November.
There’s no word on what 2024’s menu will bring (last year saw the restaurant wheel out their Cheesy Melt dippers, Big & Cheesy Burger with Bacon and Chicken Big Mac) but stay tuned and enjoy the final weeks of the spooky Halloween offerings.
Featured Image Credit: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images/PA/Dean Edwards
Topics: Food And Drink, McDonalds, UK News
From dusting off your decorations and finally putting the tree up to tucking into your advert calendar and starting the faff of the festive food shop – there are a whole bunch of things we do every year that really get us into that festive feeling.
One of which is the annual Coca-Cola Christmas advert which many people find themselves looking forward to each year to officially inaugurate the season.
Well, luckily for you, the waiting time is finally over as the company has just dropped its latest 2023 film titled ‘The World Needs More Santas’. Check it out:
So, while I’m sure Crimbo fanatics all over are beyond buzzing to feast their eyes on this year’s advert – let’s rewind way back to when it all began.
Now, the Coca-Cola brand has had a longstanding affiliation with the image of Santa Claus following its initial use in Christmas adverts in the Roaring Twenties.
Around a decade or so later, however, the history of Coca-Cola and Christmas changed forever.
In 1931, Coca-Cola commissioned a chap called Haddon Sundblom, a Michigan-born illustrator, to create images of Santa Claus to be worked into the brand’s holiday adverts.
You know? The big rosy cheeks, twinkling eyes, perfectly-formed laughter lines from too much cheesing, and the distinctive white beard – you know the guy.
Coca-Cola
Well, while a load of us will be able to identify that particular depiction Santa a mile away – what many don’t know is that the iconic imagery now synonymous with Coca-Cola is actually a self-portrait based off of Sundblom himself.
Before that, Santa – who we now know as the jolly big fella in a red suit – was depicted as everything from a tall bloke on the leaner side of the spectrum to a spooky-looking elf.
Can’t imagine that looking as appealing on the back of a can.
In short, Coca-Cola effectively helped shape the image of the Santa we all recognise and love to this very day nearly a century on.
Talk about legacy – eh?
Coca-Cola
The eagerly-anticipated festive campaign was first screened at the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Lapland, where LADbible sat down with Coca-Cola’s Global Head of Creative Strategy & Content, Islam Eldessouky, to find out a little more about it.
Eldessouky tells us that the values of Coca Cola have always been about bringing people together, explaining: “We were always trying to bring the spirit of the holiday [and] the spirit of Christmas.”
And it seems that acts of kindness are on the very top of Santa’s Crimbo list with this year’s Christmas campaign being titled ‘The World Needs More Santas’.
Geared around celebrating the spirit of Santa Claus in all of us, Coca-Cola uses the iconicity of Santa Claus as a symbol of kindness, generosity and goodwill.
The new Coca-Cola Christmas film starts off in a buzzing city where people prepare for the special day; from sorting some last-minute laundry at the dry cleaners and doing a mad dash to the shops for Xmas gifts, to getting in a quick gym sesh and grabbing some scran out with a mate.
Coca-Cola
Oh yeah, and absolutely everyone walking the snow-coated cityscape is Santa.
The advert sees the Santas helping out their neighbour, sharing the last Coca-Cola at a vending machine, or just offering a small act of kindness to a stranger in need.
Anchored in a narrative that focusses on the magic of kindness, the most poignant part of the advert is about halfway-through when all the Santas are congregated in a train station.
A train pulls up and, in an instant, what was previously a platform and carriage fully of jolly chaps in red become your regular civilians donning winter coats and commuter attire – revealing that what viewers have been witnessing all this time was in fact a manifestation of people’s ‘inner Santa’.
While the bushy white beards and festive hats are now nowhere to be seen, the kindness and warmth of the people remains.
Coca-Cola
One shot sees a man running to make it onto the train before the doors close before a woman on board very helpfully keeps them open for him.
Another sees a group frolicking making a snowman complete with twig arms, coal eyes but no nose.
And, lastly, a situation I’m sure we’re all too familiar with – a woman rushes towards a post office to get her parcel in only to be met with the shutter closing.
Luckily for her, however, the postie decided to spread the Christmas spirit and let her inside just in time to catch the last post.
Coca-Cola
The whole advert is soundtracked by British singer-songwriter Celeste’s ‘super magical’ cover of ‘Anyone Can Be Santa’ which is quite fitting given the storyline.
“The music, we felt, we needed a layer that really goes straight to your heart,” Eldessouky explains. “We needed a voice that, when you listen to it, it makes you feel warm.
“It makes you feel like the song is hugging you in a way while you’re watching.”
OK – so we know what virtues are associated with the Christmas spirit, but how would your average person ‘be more Santa’ in other everyday life outside of on the tube and at the post office? Like, maybe, at the pub?
Well, you’ll be happy to know you can channel your inner Santa at your local simply by putting a smile on your face.
Eldessouky says: “I think it’s an invitation. It’s open. It’s also comfortable.
“Like, if I receive you with a smile. You already feel welcome.”
You could also equally try getting a round in and, if you’re in good company, will hopefully have the bevs returned back to you at some point…
Featured Image Credit: Coca-Cola
Topics: Christmas, Food And Drink, News, US News, World Cup, UK News
Coca-Cola has teased fans ahead of Christmas with the iconic red truck set to hit the road again.
Yes, that’s right – the holidays are coming.
Obviously, we’ve only just got shut of Halloween, so it’s still very early to be talking about Christmas, but that hasn’t stopped anyone getting things underway early.
It does seem to be getting earlier every year, but – hey – it’s a long dark winter ahead, so why not let people enjoy things?
With that in mind, the Coca-Cola truck is set to start travelling the country again, bringing fizzy drink themed fun to every place it visits.
Matthew Horwood/Getty
People genuinely turn out in their thousands to welcome the truck, made famous by the iconic advert, so it’s as much a part of the Christmas tradition these days – for better or worse – as the tinsel and tree.
As of yet, there have been no stops directly announced, but we can be pretty sure that the truck will be doing its rounds this year, same as most other years.
The truck, decked out in fairy lights and adequately branded up on Coca-Cola livery, will likely do a tour of the major shopping centres of the country.
Last year, it started it’s journey at Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent, before winding around the country, dazzling the gathered throngs at the various stopping places.
It got as far as London, Belfast, and Manchester last year, and we can probably expect a similar tour this year.
Whilst we don’t know the ins and outs of the tour exactly, Coca-Cola did confirm on Twitter – or X, or whatever – that the tour would be taking place.
Coca-Cola
A social media user asked them: “Hey @CocaCola_GB is there going to be a truck Christmas tour this year?”
The brand responded: “Hi Tim! We can confirm there will be a Truck Tour this year however our team are still finalizing the details so keep an eye on our socials for updates. Thanks The Coca-Cola Team.”
That’s that settled, then.
Last year’s tour saw Coca-Cola donate the equivalent of 100,000 of meals to those without through a partnership with FareShare.
X
The company is also partnered with the Royal National Institute of Blind People and NaviLens to make packaging accessible for blind and partially sighted people.
Lindsey Bothwell, from FareShare, said: “We’re incredibly grateful for the support from Coca‑Cola.
“Their donation will help us get more good-to-eat surplus food to people across the UK most impacted by the cost of living crisis.
“We hope as many people visit the Coca‑Cola Truck Tour this Christmas so that we can get more food to people who need it during what are challenging times for many.”
The Coca-Cola truck will be back on the road soon. Credit Matthew Horwood/Getty
Laura Moon, senior brand manager at The Coca-Cola Company, also added: “Coca‑Cola has always been synonymous with Christmas, particularly the iconic Truck Tour and Holidays Are Coming advert.
“This year, the magic of Christmas is needed more than ever, and we are excited to bring back our famous truck tour to fans nationwide.
“We’re also extremely pleased to continue our relationship with FareShare and for every person that visits the Truck Tour, we’ll donate the equivalent of a meal on their behalf, supporting those most in need this festive season.”
Featured Image Credit: Michal Fludra/NurPhoto via Getty Images/Yavuz Arslan/ullstein bild via Getty Images