Coca-Cola's "Share a Coke" campaign, in which the company printed some 250 different names on Coke bottles and cans, boosted sales for the first time in a decade, the Verge reports. While sales of soft drink have been steadily declining for the last 10 years as people move towards "healthier" alternatives, Coke's crafty marketing gave the company a 0.4% boost.
As The Verge points out, the cans and bottles were perfect for sharing on social media (we saw more than a few pictures pop up in our Instagram feeds). The company chose 250 names, as well as a few fun titles such as "Buddy" and "Soulmate".
So there are a few simple lessons to be learned. Firstly, people love seeing their names in print. Secondly, if you want to boost sales at your restaurant or bar, try serving a your salads with guests' names written on the plate in dressing. In all seriousness, Coke came up with a great campaign for engaging with customers. Ideas such as this, which try to take a more personal approach with customers, are perfectly suited for the age of social media. The more consumers you have discussing your brand online (in a positive way), the more you'll see in your bar or restaurant.
Source: The Verge, Image Credit (Flickr)
