The image of Santa Clause has changed drastically over the years, from a small elf like creature to a tall stern looking fellow. He's gone from slender to fat. His coat as gone from green to red. From all the transformations jolly ole' St. Nick has gone through, none have been so important in shaping Santa as he appears today then the Coca Cola Company.
Some claim that the influence that the company had on Santa's image is just urban legend but here are the facts and a sweet look at some classic images of Santa Clause through the artist fro the Coca-Cola Company.
Some claim that the influence that the company had on Santa's image is just urban legend but here are the facts and a sweet look at some classic images of Santa Clause through the artist fro the Coca-Cola Company.
It all began in 1931, when Coca-Cola wanted to change the idea taht their soda was just for the warmer weather. They decided to have an ad campaign showing Santa drinking the cola in the cold and show the world that "Thirst Knows No Season".
The first ad, drawn by artist Haddon Sundblom, showed a department working Santa drinking a Coke in a crowded store. The ad was featured in the magazine The Saturday Evening Post. The ad was a hit but the executives at Coke wanted the next ad to feature the "real" Santa.
Haddon turned to the classic 1822 poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas" and he used the description of Santa Clause from that poem and reshaped it into his own version. Santa Clause was now a jolly, plump older man with a full beard, a red suit and a thirst for Coca-Cola. This warm, heart felt image would capture the world's imagination and from that day on, Santa Clause would have a face we would all fall in love with.
Here are some early classic ads from the Coca-Cola Company featuring Santa, his white beard and a refreshing bottle of Coke.
The first ad, drawn by artist Haddon Sundblom, showed a department working Santa drinking a Coke in a crowded store. The ad was featured in the magazine The Saturday Evening Post. The ad was a hit but the executives at Coke wanted the next ad to feature the "real" Santa.
Haddon turned to the classic 1822 poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas" and he used the description of Santa Clause from that poem and reshaped it into his own version. Santa Clause was now a jolly, plump older man with a full beard, a red suit and a thirst for Coca-Cola. This warm, heart felt image would capture the world's imagination and from that day on, Santa Clause would have a face we would all fall in love with.
Here are some early classic ads from the Coca-Cola Company featuring Santa, his white beard and a refreshing bottle of Coke.
(Click on the image to see full size.)
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