Coke Has Suspended an Ad Campaign for All the Right Reasons

Coca-Cola announced last week that it was suspending its advertising in the Philippines, vowing instead to donate the funds that had been budgeted for branding to Typhoon Haiyan relief efforts.

The beverage corporation added in a statement that they have additionally donated more than $2.5 million in aid to the devastated region.

"In addition to advertising budget donation in the Philippines, the Coca-Cola system has contributed more than $2.5 million in cash and in-kind contributions to the relief and recovery effort," the company said.

Coca-Cola has suspended advertising in the typhoon-ravaged Philippines and instead promised to donate the allotted branding funds to relief efforts. (Image source: Shutterstock)

Coca-Cola said it has donated more than 129,000 cases of water to affected areas, donated $1 million to the American National Red Cross and provided $1 million for additional relief initiatives.

“We have a long-standing commitment to extend aid to our affected associates and their families, as well as for our communities locally,” Juan Ramon Felix, Coca-Cola's Asia Division Director, said. “[W]ith our unique capacity to lend a helping hand to these communities, we will ensure that we will continue to provide support through this difficult time.”

[sharequote align="center"]"...we will ensure that we will continue to provide support through this difficult time.”[/sharequote]

Typhoon Haiyan ravaged through the Philippines earlier this month, claiming thousands of lives and devastating the small island nation.

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