Barq’s® Root Beer Brings the Bite to Mardi Gras
The Bold Brand Partners with Gulf Coast Artist Terrance Osborne for
“Mardi Barq’s”
ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Parades, costumes, beads, king cake and more mark Mardi Gras, the
culmination of the Carnival season. This year, Barq’s Root Beer is
excited to “bring home the bite” through “Mardi Barq’s” – the title of
original artwork by local New Orleans artist Terrance Osborne that
celebrates the rich history of Barq’s Root Beer and captures the energy
of Mardi Gras.
Founded in 1898 by Edward C. Barqs in Biloxi, Mississippi, Barq’s Root
Beer is part of the history and culture of the Gulf Coast. Barq’s with
its crisp, refreshing bite and Mardi Gras with its colorful history,
both celebrate the boldness of the region.
“Barq’s Root Beer has brought the bite to Mardi Gras for more than 100
years,” said Kimberly Paige, Vice President of Sprite and Flavors,
Coca-Cola North America. “We’re thrilled to celebrate these festivities,
while giving a nod to our heritage.”
Barq’s has partnered with Terrance Osborne, an artist inspired by the
culturally diverse Gulf Coast, to bring the spirit of the Brand to life
through his “Mardi Barq’s” piece. The artwork is on an eight-foot wood
panel and depicts a colorful Mardi Gras celebration seen in communities
across the Gulf Coast during the Carnival season, reflecting the culture
and heritage of Barq’s Root Beer. Leading up to Mardi Gras, Osborne will
visit retail locations throughout the Gulf Coast where Barq’s Root Beer
is sold to sign prints of the original artwork.
Osborne attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) and
graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from Xavier University of
Louisiana. He taught elementary school for five years before the
life-changing events of Hurricane Katrina spurred him to pursue a new
career path.
“Art is my passion and I enjoy capturing moments like Mardi Gras in
action,” Osborne said. “Barq’s Root Beer was part of my childhood, so
the beverage is connected with positive family memories and my
community.”
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, Dasani, FUZE TEA 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.
Contacts
The Coca-Cola Company
Melina Baetti, 404-676-1533
mbaetti@coca-cola.com
