Atlanta, July 20, 2015 – 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.