Coca-Cola Ushers in World Games with song to
Stir Support for Athletes Worldwide
O.A.R., Cody Simpson and Two Very Special Teens
to Perform “Reach Up” at Opening Ceremony
The Coca-Cola Company, a Founding Partner of Special Olympics
International, is encouraging fans worldwide to “Reach Up” in
support of people with intellectual disabilities as thousands of
athletes converge in Los Angeles later this month for the 2015
Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015 (LA2015).
In support of Special Olympics athletes everywhere, The
Coca-Cola Company worked with rock band O.A.R. and singer Cody
Simpson to record a unified song in honor of the event, titled
“Reach Up.” The song also features vocals from Breanna Bogucki, a
singer and decorated Special Olympics athlete from Illinois who has
autism, and Madison Tevlin, a young Canadian woman with Down
syndrome who became a viral singing sensation earlier this
year.
Since its premiere in mid-June, the music video for “Reach Up”
has garnered more than 1 million views. When it was released,
Coca-Cola pledged to donate one dollar - up to $100,000 - to
Special Olympics for every music video share using the #ReachUp
hashtag. To ensure the Company meets its goal, fans can continue
sharing the video with friends and family to maximize the benefit
to the Special Olympics Movement.
The song, which encourages people of all abilities to reach for
their dreams and never give up, was written by O.A.R. lead singer
Marc Roberge, Nathan Chapman and Kevin Kadish. During the World
Games, Coca-Cola will reunite O.A.R., Simpson, Bogucki and Tevlin
to perform “Reach Up” at the event’s Opening Ceremony on Saturday,
July 25. The performance will air on ESPN, the official broadcaster
of the World Games, as part of a three-hour live telecast of the
Opening Ceremony beginning at 9 p.m. ET. The program also will
feature “Good Morning America” co-host Robin Roberts and
ESPN’s Lindsay Czarniak and Kevin Negandhi.
“The Coca-Cola Company has been a dedicated supporter of Special
Olympics since the organization was founded in 1968,” said Muhtar
Kent, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Coca-Cola
Company. “For more than 47 years, The Coca-Cola Company and Special
Olympics have shared moments of joy and happiness through our
longstanding partnership, deeply rooted in shared values and the
pure joy of sport. And with the World Summer Games returning to
American soil for the first time in 16 years, it was important for
us to support the event in a major way, including uniting the world
through music,” added Kent, who also serves on the Board of Special
Olympics International.
“When Coke approached us to do the song, I really had no idea
how big this could be,” said Roberge. “We’re so proud of the
success of ‘Reach Up,’ and it’s amazing to see so many people
embrace the song and celebrate the accomplishments of more than
6,000 outstanding athletes.” Added Roberge: “I think it’s fair to
say there would be no ‘Reach Up’ without Bree and Maddy. They
inspired us, energized us, and, most importantly, brought a smile
to our faces every time they walked into the studio. We are honored
to bring ‘Reach Up’ to the World Games, and Cody, Bree, Maddy and I
will surely feel the inspiration as we perform the song at the L.A.
Coliseum.”
Beyond the “Reach Up” performance, Coca-Cola is working to drive
awareness and make the World Games a huge success in a variety of
ways. The Company is recruiting more than 2,000 employees as
volunteer “Fans in the Stands” to cheer on the athletes and
supporting venue operations by helping to refresh athletes,
families, officials and volunteers with more than 1.5 million
servings of Coca-Cola products. In addition, a commemorative 8-oz.
glass bottle, outdoor advertising and retail promotions will enable
consumers to support Special Olympics by volunteering or donating
to the event.
The Coca-Cola Company is the Founding Partner and Global Sponsor
of Special Olympics, the world’s largest health and sports
organization dedicated to people with intellectual disabilities.
Since 1968 - Special Olympics’ inception - the Company has
maintained a deep commitment to the organization and has provided
more than $190 million in support of its programs through product,
equipment, donations and marketing support.
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, one of the world's most
valuable and recognizable brands, our Company's portfolio features
20 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 1.9 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 associates. For more
information, visit Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com,
follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo, visit our blog,
Coca-Cola Unbottled, at www.coca-colablog.com or find us on
LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/the-coca-cola-company.
About the Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles
(LA2015)
With 6,500 athletes and 2,000 coaches representing 165
countries, along with 30,000 volunteers and an anticipated 500,000
spectators, the 2015 Special Olympics World Games - being staged in
Los Angeles July 25 - August 2, 2015 - will be the largest sports
and humanitarian event anywhere in the world in 2015, and the
single biggest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games.
The 2015 Special Olympics World Games, with the unparalleled
spirit, enthusiasm, teamwork, joy and displays of courage and skill
that are hallmarks of all Special Olympics events, will feature 25
Olympic-style sports in venues throughout the Los Angeles region.
The Opening Ceremony, to be held July 25 in the historic Los
Angeles Memorial Coliseum, site of the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games,
is expected to attract 80,000 spectators. For more information on
the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, including volunteer and
sponsorship opportunities, visit www.LA2015.org and on social with
#ReachUpLA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Special Olympics International
Special Olympics is a global movement that unleashes the human
spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports, every
day around the world. We empower people with intellectual
disabilities to become accepted and valued members of their
communities, which leads to a more respectful and inclusive society
for all. Using sports as the catalyst and programming around health
and education, Special Olympics is fighting inactivity, injustice
and intolerance. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the
Special Olympics movement has grown to more than 4.5 million
athletes in 170 countries. With the support of more than 1.4
million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers 32
Olympic-type sports and more than 94,000 games and competitions
throughout the year. Special Olympics is supported by individuals,
foundations and partners, including the Christmas Records Trust,
the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics, The Coca-Cola
Company, The Walt Disney Company and ESPN, Microsoft, Lions Clubs
International, Toys"R"Us, Mattel, P&G, Bank of America, Essilor
Vision Foundation, the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation, Finish Line,
The Safeway Foundation, and Safilo Group. Visit Special Olympics at
www.specialolympics.org. Engage with us on: Twitter
@specialolympics, fb.com/specialolympics,
youtube.com/specialolympicshq, instagram.com/specialolympics and
specialolympicsblog.wordpress.com.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150720005657/en/
The Coca-Cola CompanyKate Hartman,
404-676-1254Kahartman@coca-cola.com
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