Coke Zero® and Jerome “The Bus” Bettis Team Up To Bring Home the Excitement this 2012 Season

Coca-Cola Kicks Off New Partnership With $5,000 Donation to “The Bus Stops Here” Foundation

PITTSBURGH--()--Combine ice-cold Coke Zero® refreshment with a legendary Pittsburgh football superstar and the 2012 season doesn’t get more refreshing!

Beginning next month, Coke Zero® and legendary football star Jerome Bettis will team up to provide Greater Pittsburgh football fans with opportunities to “Enjoy Every Moment” as their team takes to the field this fall.

To kick off the partnership, Coca-Cola has pledged $5,000 to benefit the annual Jerome Bettis Asthma and Sports Camp through the “The Bus Stops Here” Foundation and the American Respiratory Alliance of Western Pennsylvania. The free event is designed for children from western Pennsylvania who are diagnosed with asthma to learn about their condition and how they can be physically active in a safe environment. Activities include educational sessions with asthma experts from Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, as well as sports activities led by Bettis and other volunteer athletes from the area.

“We are incredibly proud to support the work being done by The Bus Stops Here Foundation,” said Jim Dinderman, Vice President of Sales for the Pittsburgh Market Unit.

The partnership between Coke Zero and Bettis will also include opportunities for fans across Greater Pittsburgh to win prizes redeem My Coke Rewards points for a chance to win Coke Zero prizes, personalized Jerome Bettis prizes, or even a VIP party with Bettis at his Grille 36 restaurant in Pittsburgh.

“We are always looking for innovative ways to inspire happiness and provide refreshment for Pittsburgh fans as they cheer their team to victory,” Dinderman said. “Through our collaboration with Jerome Bettis, we look forward to adding fun and exciting ways for fans to celebrate their love of the game.”

In mid-August through September, fans will have the chance to score prizes through the My Coke Rewards program. MyCokeRewards is the number one beverage website in the United States and one of the largest brand marketing programs in the world, with nearly 5.7 million visits every month.

“I am excited to partner with Coke Zero on this fantastic opportunity to meet fans and enjoy an ice cold Coke Zero together,” Bettis said. “Pittsburgh fans deserve the best and this season we will give them the chance to Enjoy Every Moment.”

The year-long partnership will include Coke Zero sponsored events and personal appearances by Bettis in the Greater Pittsburgh Community.

Super Bowl Champion Jerome “The Bus” Bettis was voted offensive rookie of the year in 1996 and is a six-time Pro Bowl selection. He received the Walter Payton “Man of the Year” in 2001 and is the sixth leading rusher of all-time. Bettis hosts a weekly football show airing on WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh. He is also the founder of “The Bus Stops Here” Foundation, which works to improve the quality of life for troubled and underprivileged children in America’s inner cities.

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, the world's most valuable brand, our Company's portfolio features 15 billion dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia and Del Valle. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of 1.8 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world's top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system employees. For more information, please www.thecoca-colacompany.com or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50366770&lang=en

Contacts

The Coca-Cola Company
DeAnn Baxter
412-859-7364
dbaxter@coca-cola.com
or
Jennifer Richmond
513-387-8072
jennrichmond@coca-cola.com

Contacts

The Coca-Cola Company
DeAnn Baxter
412-859-7364
dbaxter@coca-cola.com
or
Jennifer Richmond
513-387-8072
jennrichmond@coca-cola.com