Adverts defaced as Coke 'swamps' road

7:00pm Thursday 12th July 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Pete Hughes, Reporter. Call me on 01865 425431

PROTESTERS defaced a series of posters put up along Oxford’s Cowley Road by Olympic sponsor Coca Cola.

Posters were placed in shop windows and banner adverts strung up on pavements ahead of the Olympic Torch procession on Monday.

But hours before the torch was due to arrive the adverts for the American drinks giant were “tagged” with the name of anti-Coca Cola website Killercoke.org Official Olympic sponsor Coca Cola had asked traders to put the posters in their windows.

The amount of branding in the road, that is famous for its independent shops, was a concern for some.

James Clarke, 30, an education worker from Abingdon Road said: “The Cowley Road ended up looking like an advert for Coke.”

Oxford green councillor Elise Benjamin said she was astonished by the amount of advertising.

The former Lord Mayor said: “I know that there is very heavy corporate sponsorship, but this is just another public event taken over by a corporate sponsor.”

“I can sympathise with protesters.

“I would certainly ask the council questions. People are getting excited about the Olympics and this is just tarnishing it.”

Coca Cola employees replaced the vandalised posters on Monday morning, just hours before the eyes of the world fell on East Oxford.

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A billboard advertising the Royal Air Tattoo was also daubed with the phrase “Olympic Killer Coke”, but the graffiti was painted over on Monday.

Staff from some businesses – including retro fashion shop Reign and the Music Box – said they declined to have the posters in their windows.

However, several cafes and bars which sell the soft drink had agreed to host the extra advertisement.

Marko Washington, assistant manager of the Cape of Good Hope, in Cowley Road, said: “They brought in posters for us, and it seemed appropriate because they are an Olympic sponsor.

“We’ve got the brand all over the pub, but we’ll go back to Brakspears afterwards. Everyone has got their own opinion.”

Coca Cola also came in for criticism from Oxford residents when it was revealed that it was flying in 22 American torch bearers for Oxfordshire legs of the torch relay.

At the Monday night concert in South Park, food and drink vendors were obliged to black out their branding if they were not official Olympic sponsors.

A spokesman for the Olympic organising committee LOCOG said: “We have no control over the advertising on the relay route. We have all come in for some stick for the sponsor’s role in the relay but we wouldn’t be able to travel across the country without them.”

Thames Valley Police said no one had reported the vandalism.

Coca Cola, which has sponsored every Olympics since 1928, said in a statement: “We hope that the actions of a minority group did not negatively impact the local community’s enjoyment of the Olympic Torch Relay.”

Comments (16)

7:33pm Thu 12 Jul 12

Dilligaf2010 says...

Good for the protesters, it's a shame they couldn't do the same to the replacements.
Coca-Cola is a brand recognised the world over, they don't need to advertise, or prevent others from advertising.
Good for the protesters, it's a shame they couldn't do the same to the replacements. Coca-Cola is a brand recognised the world over, they don't need to advertise, or prevent others from advertising. Dilligaf2010

7:50pm Thu 12 Jul 12

Phian says...

"he who pays the piper calls the tune"

We have been lumbered or honoured (depending on one's point of view) with holding the Games and allowing corporate sponsorship has saved us taxpayers having to foot all the bill. To have emulated the 1948 Olympics would have made our fair country a laughing stock.
"he who pays the piper calls the tune" We have been lumbered or honoured (depending on one's point of view) with holding the Games and allowing corporate sponsorship has saved us taxpayers having to foot all the bill. To have emulated the 1948 Olympics would have made our fair country a laughing stock. Phian

7:51pm Thu 12 Jul 12

beenmcmonkey says...

I drove down Cowley Rd the next morning and saw a street cleaner chucking the advert banners in the bin, bit of a waste considering they were only put up the day before and could have been easily recycled.
I drove down Cowley Rd the next morning and saw a street cleaner chucking the advert banners in the bin, bit of a waste considering they were only put up the day before and could have been easily recycled. beenmcmonkey

7:59pm Thu 12 Jul 12

Dilligaf2010 says...

Phian wrote:
"he who pays the piper calls the tune"

We have been lumbered or honoured (depending on one's point of view) with holding the Games and allowing corporate sponsorship has saved us taxpayers having to foot all the bill. To have emulated the 1948 Olympics would have made our fair country a laughing stock.
The Olympics haven't even started yet, wait until they're over, we'll still be a laughing stock, and then will also find out how many years it'll be before we've paid for the "lasting legacy".
[quote][p][bold]Phian[/bold] wrote: "he who pays the piper calls the tune" We have been lumbered or honoured (depending on one's point of view) with holding the Games and allowing corporate sponsorship has saved us taxpayers having to foot all the bill. To have emulated the 1948 Olympics would have made our fair country a laughing stock.[/p][/quote]The Olympics haven't even started yet, wait until they're over, we'll still be a laughing stock, and then will also find out how many years it'll be before we've paid for the "lasting legacy". Dilligaf2010

8:04pm Thu 12 Jul 12

Geoff Roberts says...

As the Coca-Cola van went past the crowd cheered and waved their plastic made in China Union flags, then Lloyds TSB - the crowd cheered again. Hooray for the banks. Hooray for multi national corporations who waste valuable resources, get children hooked on sugar and poison the land.

Duh.

Welcome to Britain in the 21st Century.
As the Coca-Cola van went past the crowd cheered and waved their plastic made in China Union flags, then Lloyds TSB - the crowd cheered again. Hooray for the banks. Hooray for multi national corporations who waste valuable resources, get children hooked on sugar and poison the land. Duh. Welcome to Britain in the 21st Century. Geoff Roberts

8:12pm Thu 12 Jul 12

Geoff Roberts says...

As the torch, Coca-Cola and Lloyds TSB flanked by police passed Cowley Police where the police are under resourced, where there's gaping holes in the walls, where they are using computers from the 1990s with software which is practically useless, passed Cowley Library and Temple Cowley Leisure Centre under threat of being bulldozed and the land sold off to property developers to maximise profits by squeezing as many people into 1 space as is possible whilst taking away community facilities. This oh so brief pageant which is part of an event which is 100% over budget and mostly funded by central government and will strain resources even more but make money for banks, for McDonalds, for Coca-Cola whilst we have our break cut, our pay cut, our services cut. Whilst the MOD faces cuts and soldiers don't have the right equipment when they are in hell on earth, our government calls them in to do menial tasks for an event we don't need and cannot afford.

Our MP, Andrew Smith won't even support the early day motions which are 1 of only 2 means of getting a vote of no confidence on this government. Whilst his party are the ones who have been implementing cuts since before this current government even came into power.
As the torch, Coca-Cola and Lloyds TSB flanked by police passed Cowley Police where the police are under resourced, where there's gaping holes in the walls, where they are using computers from the 1990s with software which is practically useless, passed Cowley Library and Temple Cowley Leisure Centre under threat of being bulldozed and the land sold off to property developers to maximise profits by squeezing as many people into 1 space as is possible whilst taking away community facilities. This oh so brief pageant which is part of an event which is 100% over budget and mostly funded by central government and will strain resources even more but make money for banks, for McDonalds, for Coca-Cola whilst we have our break cut, our pay cut, our services cut. Whilst the MOD faces cuts and soldiers don't have the right equipment when they are in hell on earth, our government calls them in to do menial tasks for an event we don't need and cannot afford. Our MP, Andrew Smith won't even support the early day motions which are 1 of only 2 means of getting a vote of no confidence on this government. Whilst his party are the ones who have been implementing cuts since before this current government even came into power. Geoff Roberts

7:24am Fri 13 Jul 12

Lord Palmerstone says...

Well Geoff I agree with you whole heartedly about this sponsorship thing. Indeed I was totally pi**ed off when we got this expensive nonsense foisted on us by Blair's intervention. Why can't it always be in Greece which (a) has the right weather and (b) usually needs the dosh (if there will be any, which I doubt.)? We'll be paying for years.But my "welcome to Britain" would be a fat family in Iceland with about 5 kids buying £250's worth of ready meals on welfare with my tax, while I have to resign myself to working on over 65 if my health holds out.If you were honest you'd admit that Blairbrown aggressive welfarism is as much responsible for our current mess as the post war expropriation of industry by your lot, and gambling addicted banks
Well Geoff I agree with you whole heartedly about this sponsorship thing. Indeed I was totally pi**ed off when we got this expensive nonsense foisted on us by Blair's intervention. Why can't it always be in Greece which (a) has the right weather and (b) usually needs the dosh (if there will be any, which I doubt.)? We'll be paying for years.But my "welcome to Britain" would be a fat family in Iceland with about 5 kids buying £250's worth of ready meals on welfare with my tax, while I have to resign myself to working on over 65 if my health holds out.If you were honest you'd admit that Blairbrown aggressive welfarism is as much responsible for our current mess as the post war expropriation of industry by your lot, and gambling addicted banks Lord Palmerstone

8:16am Fri 13 Jul 12

Geoff Roberts says...

"If you were honest you'd admit that Blairbrown aggressive welfarism is as much responsible for our current mess as the post war expropriation of industry by your lot, and gambling addicted banks"

OK, so you're insinuating that I'm dishonest and a Tory?

LOL.
"If you were honest you'd admit that Blairbrown aggressive welfarism is as much responsible for our current mess as the post war expropriation of industry by your lot, and gambling addicted banks" OK, so you're insinuating that I'm dishonest and a Tory? LOL. Geoff Roberts

8:21am Fri 13 Jul 12

Geoff Roberts says...

Palmerstone - you could have just left it. Instead you clearly couldn't resist a personal dig based on an incorrect assumption in your last paragraph. I also think you are wrong on several levels. I am not and have never been either a Labour or Tory supporter in any way shape or form. Plus I don't think the Olympics has anything to do with 'welfarism'. More to do with neo-liberalism and winning votes.
Palmerstone - you could have just left it. Instead you clearly couldn't resist a personal dig based on an incorrect assumption in your last paragraph. I also think you are wrong on several levels. I am not and have never been either a Labour or Tory supporter in any way shape or form. Plus I don't think the Olympics has anything to do with 'welfarism'. More to do with neo-liberalism and winning votes. Geoff Roberts

10:52am Fri 13 Jul 12

xjohnx says...

Now, now children! Less of the political gibberish.

Just be thankful coca cola was put in its place.
Now, now children! Less of the political gibberish. Just be thankful coca cola was put in its place. xjohnx

2:04pm Fri 13 Jul 12

Andrew:Oxford says...

Geoff Roberts wrote:
As the torch, Coca-Cola and Lloyds TSB flanked by police passed Cowley Police where the police are under resourced, where there's gaping holes in the walls, where they are using computers from the 1990s with software which is practically useless, passed Cowley Library and Temple Cowley Leisure Centre under threat of being bulldozed and the land sold off to property developers to maximise profits by squeezing as many people into 1 space as is possible whilst taking away community facilities. This oh so brief pageant which is part of an event which is 100% over budget and mostly funded by central government and will strain resources even more but make money for banks, for McDonalds, for Coca-Cola whilst we have our break cut, our pay cut, our services cut. Whilst the MOD faces cuts and soldiers don't have the right equipment when they are in hell on earth, our government calls them in to do menial tasks for an event we don't need and cannot afford.

Our MP, Andrew Smith won't even support the early day motions which are 1 of only 2 means of getting a vote of no confidence on this government. Whilst his party are the ones who have been implementing cuts since before this current government even came into power.
They also passed the land that would have had a beautiful new community facility of a swimming pool (with adjustable floor to open swimming to a wider audience) and a childrens fun pool. If only a small part of the community hadn't undertaken delaying tactics.

As to the police station, is it somewhere you attend regularly?
[quote][p][bold]Geoff Roberts[/bold] wrote: As the torch, Coca-Cola and Lloyds TSB flanked by police passed Cowley Police where the police are under resourced, where there's gaping holes in the walls, where they are using computers from the 1990s with software which is practically useless, passed Cowley Library and Temple Cowley Leisure Centre under threat of being bulldozed and the land sold off to property developers to maximise profits by squeezing as many people into 1 space as is possible whilst taking away community facilities. This oh so brief pageant which is part of an event which is 100% over budget and mostly funded by central government and will strain resources even more but make money for banks, for McDonalds, for Coca-Cola whilst we have our break cut, our pay cut, our services cut. Whilst the MOD faces cuts and soldiers don't have the right equipment when they are in hell on earth, our government calls them in to do menial tasks for an event we don't need and cannot afford. Our MP, Andrew Smith won't even support the early day motions which are 1 of only 2 means of getting a vote of no confidence on this government. Whilst his party are the ones who have been implementing cuts since before this current government even came into power.[/p][/quote]They also passed the land that would have had a beautiful new community facility of a swimming pool (with adjustable floor to open swimming to a wider audience) and a childrens fun pool. If only a small part of the community hadn't undertaken delaying tactics. As to the police station, is it somewhere you attend regularly? Andrew:Oxford

3:50pm Fri 13 Jul 12

Lord Palmerstone says...

Not suggesting you're dishonest, only rather subjective. Nor do I think Olympics anything to do with welfarism. Wasn't my point.
"More to do with neo-liberalism and winning votes."Don't know what the "neo" thing means and votes for whom? Aren't the parties all in favour? Could I win a seat by being an Anti-Olympics candidate? Just writing out a cheque for the deposit.
Not suggesting you're dishonest, only rather subjective. Nor do I think Olympics anything to do with welfarism. Wasn't my point. "More to do with neo-liberalism and winning votes."Don't know what the "neo" thing means and votes for whom? Aren't the parties all in favour? Could I win a seat by being an Anti-Olympics candidate? Just writing out a cheque for the deposit. Lord Palmerstone

5:45pm Sat 14 Jul 12

the wizard says...

Welcome to Britain Ltd 2012, home of Macca D's Coke and BMW. What a total disaster.

Shame on you Coe for bringing this gigantic advert for everything NON British to these shores. The yanks and Germans have stolen the show.

Just wait till the games swing into action, anyone watching them on TV will be over exposed to Uncle Mac Coke, Mini and BMW. What a joke.

Torch bearers from far and wide, yeh, far and wide across the USA , just forget the Brits this is all about rectum kissing.
Total joke, the ticketing is all a joke, the costs are laughable and the sponsorship, well that is a laugh, and Cameron lets it all happen, another joke.

No nation first here, just pile up the overseas B.S and we will just sit back and take it. Pathetic.
Welcome to Britain Ltd 2012, home of Macca D's Coke and BMW. What a total disaster. Shame on you Coe for bringing this gigantic advert for everything NON British to these shores. The yanks and Germans have stolen the show. Just wait till the games swing into action, anyone watching them on TV will be over exposed to Uncle Mac Coke, Mini and BMW. What a joke. Torch bearers from far and wide, yeh, far and wide across the USA , just forget the Brits this is all about rectum kissing. Total joke, the ticketing is all a joke, the costs are laughable and the sponsorship, well that is a laugh, and Cameron lets it all happen, another joke. No nation first here, just pile up the overseas B.S and we will just sit back and take it. Pathetic. the wizard

6:27pm Sat 14 Jul 12

Dilligaf2010 says...

The thing that really annoys me, is the fact that sponsors have contributed only £700m to the total cost of the Olympics, less than 10%, yet they're calling all the shots.
That's based on the total cost being £12Bn, but it could eventually be double that.
The thing that really annoys me, is the fact that sponsors have contributed only £700m to the total cost of the Olympics, less than 10%, yet they're calling all the shots. That's based on the total cost being £12Bn, but it could eventually be double that. Dilligaf2010

6:54pm Sat 14 Jul 12

Andrew:Oxford says...

Dilligaf2010 wrote:
The thing that really annoys me, is the fact that sponsors have contributed only £700m to the total cost of the Olympics, less than 10%, yet they're calling all the shots.
That's based on the total cost being £12Bn, but it could eventually be double that.
Predicted income was being quoted as £13Bn this morning on breakfast news.
[quote][p][bold]Dilligaf2010[/bold] wrote: The thing that really annoys me, is the fact that sponsors have contributed only £700m to the total cost of the Olympics, less than 10%, yet they're calling all the shots. That's based on the total cost being £12Bn, but it could eventually be double that.[/p][/quote]Predicted income was being quoted as £13Bn this morning on breakfast news. Andrew:Oxford

7:51pm Sat 14 Jul 12

Dilligaf2010 says...

Andrew:Oxford wrote:
Dilligaf2010 wrote:
The thing that really annoys me, is the fact that sponsors have contributed only £700m to the total cost of the Olympics, less than 10%, yet they're calling all the shots.
That's based on the total cost being £12Bn, but it could eventually be double that.
Predicted income was being quoted as £13Bn this morning on breakfast news.
Every Olympics over the past 20 odd years has predicted incomes well above actual income, I wouldn't be surprised if London 2012 only reached 25% of that, although LOCOG and the Government will vastly exaggerate figures to try and stem the flow of criticism, which will be like a Tsunami.
[quote][p][bold]Andrew:Oxford[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Dilligaf2010[/bold] wrote: The thing that really annoys me, is the fact that sponsors have contributed only £700m to the total cost of the Olympics, less than 10%, yet they're calling all the shots. That's based on the total cost being £12Bn, but it could eventually be double that.[/p][/quote]Predicted income was being quoted as £13Bn this morning on breakfast news.[/p][/quote]Every Olympics over the past 20 odd years has predicted incomes well above actual income, I wouldn't be surprised if London 2012 only reached 25% of that, although LOCOG and the Government will vastly exaggerate figures to try and stem the flow of criticism, which will be like a Tsunami. Dilligaf2010

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