Another failed attempt at something I’ve been doing for what feels like years became the focus of one of my recent TikToks. While creating this TikTok, I came up with three questions that I will answer in this post.
I’ve been searching for my first name (Todd) on the label of a Coke or Diet Coke bottle off and on for a very long time. I want one as a type of souvenir.
This past weekend, I was getting gas at the convenience store down the road. After fueling up, I went inside the store to see if this was going to be my lucky spot and produce my coveted label.
Did they have it? Well, of course not. There was no T-O-D-D! Another flop. I did see the following names: Juan, Anna, Zoe, John, Haley, Alexis, Sophia, and Savannah. So, if your name is one of those, Coca-Cola has you covered. I’m jealous.
I left the store with a Coke with John on the bottle label and decided to use it as a prop in my TikTok. I’ve never minded being in front of a camera, in a video, or photographed. I’m not that type of shy.
But I’ve never been super confident talking on camera. It didn’t matter whether I had memorized lines or just spoke off the cuff. I feel like a buffoon on camera. Very little preparation went into the TikTok that I made. I just pressed the record button and started talking. It took multiple tries, but finally, I got a decent take.
In between my ramblings, three things entered my mind that I used the internet to answer. I didn’t quite word them like this on camera, but the three questions that I needed answered are below:
- When did Coca-Cola start printing labels with our first names on them?
- Does Coca-Cola even print labels with my first name on them?
- If Coca-Cola doesn’t make a Todd label, is there a way for me to customize and order one?
When did Coca-Cola start printing labels with our first names on them?
Okay, this is interesting. I read on the Coca-Cola website that the “Share A Coke” campaign launched in Australia in the summer of 2011 and then went international.
The “Share A Coke” campaign was their idea to print popular first names on their bottles and cans and then encourage their drinkers to share bottles and cans with their peep’s first names on them as a gesture of friendship or love. Hence, it is a clever way to get their drinkers to buy soft drinks.
Interestingly, the Coca-Cola website said that the soda company brought back this campaign this year. They haven’t continuously had these for the last quarter of a century. I don’t know what year the first campaign ended, but that explains why I’ve been able to find Todd for some period of the twenty-four years.
Does Coca-Cola even print labels with my first name on them?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. 🙁 There’s a list, but the name Todd doesn’t appear on Coke or Diet Coke bottles and cans in stores.
See if your name is on The Coca-Cola Cola, share a Coke name list, and then return to finish this post. https://www.coca-cola.com/ie/en/offerings/share-a-coke/name
If Coca-Cola doesn’t make a Todd label, is there a way for me to customize and order one?
Yes! Anyone can order a personalized bottle through the Coca-Cola Store website. It was pretty easy.
Go to https://www.coca-colastore.com/personalize-bottles-and-cans.
Select your brand: Coke, Coke Zero, or Diet Coke in either an 8-ounce glass bottle or a 12-ounce can.
Pick your special occasion or theme.
Personalize with a name or phrase up to 11 characters.
Preview what your can or bottle will look like.
Then, choose how many you want and checkout. My personalized one costs around $20, including shipping.
Discovering that Coca-Cola doesn’t make a Todd “Share a Coke” bottle or can was a bummer. But I’m happy for the confirmation so I don’t waste more time looking for one in the stores. No more failures! Well, at least with this. I’ll definitely have other shortcomings in the future.
I can’t wait to get my customized can in the mail so that I can tell it what’s up to it wherever I put it on display. I’m considering putting the Todd souvenir in my work cube or on a shelf.
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