US: Coca-Cola Co tackles obesity issue with TV ad

The Coca-Cola Company has admitted it has an “important role” to play in the US' fight against obesity as it launched a new TV ad addressing the issue. 

The two-minute spot called 'Coming Together', which can be viewed below, will debut tonight (14 January) on national US cable news, the company said. The commercial's narrator gives frank advice to consumers: “If you eat and drink more calories than you burn off you'll gain weight.” 

The ad also highlights that out of the company's 650 brands, 180 are either low- or no-calorie. 

A second spot, 'Be OK', will debut on the show American Idol on Wednesday, Coca-Cola said. This ad highlights that a can of Coca-Cola has 140 calories and will encourage people to “have some fun burning those calories off”, it said. 

“The Coca-Cola Co has an important role in this fight (against obesity),” said Stuart Kronauge, Sparkling Beverages, Coca-Cola North America GM. “Together, with willing partners, we will succeed.”

Obesity is becoming an ever-increasing issue in the US. First Lady Michelle Obama is leading the anti-obesity charge, heading up an initiative called Let's Move! aimed at combatting the problem among children. 

Meanwhile, the soft drinks industry is trying to fight off a ban on large high-sugar soft drinks in New York City. A group opposing the ban - New Yorkers for Beverage Choices - claims to have about half-a-million supporters, according to its website.