I guess I'm not surprised that this ad got some people's dander up, but that's disappointing to me. We're a nation of immigrants, and that's what makes America great. It's not just diversity, but the spirit of the people who come here for a better life, and everyone should be welcome here (unless they're criminals or terrorists, which we should be able to ferret out during the immigration process, which is why we need to fix the immigration system and hopefully fix the broken borders).
I love this ad. This, for me, fits beautifully in the long tradition of Coca Cola advertising from years and years ago. When I was a kid, before the United Colors of Benetton, Coca Cola had ads with people from all around the world, singing: "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing". It was beautiful, and it showed us that we're all in this together in the world. Instead of just worrying about the threat of nuclear holocaust and distrusting everyone, these ads made the world feel like a community of vibrant, friendly people. It was wonderfully optimistic and all-encompassing. And the best of the Coke ads are.
Some people have said this is a political statement and such, but I see it as fitting in perfectly with a great tradition of Coca Cola advertising. And rather than being any kind of partisan message, Coke is instead sending the universal message to the world that Coke doesn't care where you're from, what race your are, or what language you speak: Coke wants to rot your teeth out and make you all obese equally. (Just kidding! They want to refresh you with "The Real Thing"! Stay away from the fake things! And don't read the Coke ingredients, because some of them may sound like unreal things.)
Oh, and contrary to many things I have read criticizing this beautiful new Coca Cola Super Bowl ad, "America the Beautiful" is not the National Anthem. Maybe it should be, but it's not. But then again, maybe this should be the National Anthem.
Here's the beautiful "America the Beautiful" Coca Cola Super Bowl ad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MEsOzzunPQ
Here's the old "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" Coke ad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib-Qiyklq-Q
Great and beautiful job, Coke ads guys: you nailed it once again!
