Pop Culture Gallery

See how fans of Coca‑Cola have made the brand an icon of popular culture. Now on display, It’s the Real Thing tells the story of the iconic Coca-Cola campaign that debuted in 1969. The campaign introduced a new photographic style for the brand, featuring real people sharing candid moments with friends, and a refreshed brand identity that brought together the most famous elements of the Coca-Cola brand known and loved around the world today. In the It’s the Real Thing exhibit, you’ll learn what inspired the wavy curve of the Dynamic Ribbon, watch the famous “Hilltop” commercial that inspired the world to sing in perfect harmony, and can reminisce with ads and stories of “the real thing” for the campaign’s 50th anniversary.

In the Gallery you’ll also see more than a dozen original paintings featuring Coca‑Cola by several artists such as Haddon Sundblom, the artist behind Sprite Boy and the Coca‑Cola Santa. Prior to 1931, there was no consistent depiction of Santa Claus. That all changed in 1931 when Coca‑Cola commissioned Michigan-born illustrator Haddon Sundblom to develop advertising images of Santa Claus. Inspired by Clement C. Moore’s Famous poem “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” Sundblom created the popular image of the warm, friendly and human Santa that we all know today.

We welcome you to take a photo sitting on the sofa from the American Idol Season 4 set, which is the actual sofa that the show used to interview contestants on. The sofa’s design features a graphic element inspired by the Coca-Cola dynamic ribbon. You can also hear the infamous story of New Coke and the public outcry that brought back the original formula.

Express your fascination for Coca-Cola through an interactive experience called “My Coke Art”. My Coke Art features three touch screen kiosks which include a set of graphic elements that may be combined and altered in a variety of ways allowing you to design your own artwork based on the iconic Coca-Cola bottle. The finished artwork can then be shared via email, and is displayed on large monitors in the Gallery for others to enjoy.

Have a favorite Coca-Cola memory? Take a moment to share your Coke Story with us and join thousands of other World of Coca-Cola guests who have shared their stories too! Write it out on the paper pads provided or use our My Coke Story kiosk to enter it electronically. You can also read stories from others displayed on our My Coke Story wall. We regularly highlight submitted stories, so keep an eye out—yours may be featured on the wall or on our website or social media channels.