REPLACING PHOTO Tyrese Gibson Continues His Coca-Cola Legacy as Ambassador for the Fifth Coca-Cola Pay It Forward Program
International Film and Music Star Joins Coca-Cola to Support
Teens’ Thirst for Knowledge and Quest for Academic Achievement
ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Please replace the photo with the accompanying photo.
The release reads:
TYRESE GIBSON CONTINUES HIS COCA-COLA LEGACY AS AMBASSADOR FOR THE
FIFTH COCA-COLA PAY IT FORWARD PROGRAM
International Film and Music Star Joins Coca-Cola to Support
Teens’ Thirst for Knowledge and Quest for Academic Achievement
Six-time Grammy-nominated R&B singer, author, philanthropist and
internationally renowned film star Tyrese Gibson joins Coca-Cola to help
inspire and empower teens to strive for their highest potential through
this year’s Coca-Cola Pay It Forward program.
Building on the program’s five years of success, the Company will now
offer up to 25 students a chance to win a $5,000 scholarship and a trip
to the second Coca-Cola Pay It Forward Academy. Now through March 31,
parents, relatives, friends and mentors may nominate an aspiring teen
for the Coca-Cola Pay It Forward program by visiting www.coke.com/payitforward.
As a longtime friend of Coca-Cola, Gibson got his first break when he
serenaded fans with the “Always Coca-Cola” theme song over twenty years
ago in the famous 1995 Coca-Cola commercial.
“I have long recognized the importance of helping young people reach out
to grab their dreams,” said Gibson. “Returning to Coca-Cola, the place
where I got my start, brings my story full circle and offers me another
opportunity to help inspire, motivate and give back to our youth. I’ve
learned it’s not lonely at the top if you help someone else get there.”
Gibson’s foundation recently awarded a $50,000 scholarship to a Compton
teen to assist with his pursuit of higher education. His foundation,
#TheLoveCircle, focuses on empowering youth.
“The Coca-Cola Company has had a long relationship with Tyrese and he’s
a part of our family,” said Racquel Harris Mason, vice president,
Coca-Cola and Coke Zero brands, Coca-Cola North America. “His support of
education and passion for mentoring truly reflects the goals of the
Coca-Cola Pay It Forward program and we’re honored to partner with him
as we work to empower the next generation.”
The Coca-Cola Company invites all communities to help teens achieve
their aspirations by: nominating an eligible teen for the 2016 Coca-Cola
Pay It Forward program; becoming a mentor; and/or donating to an
academic scholarship. Share ways you are paying it forward and join the
discussion on Twitter, using #CokePayItForward.
The Coca-Cola Pay It Forward program is open to high school students,
grades 9-12 (nominees must be 13 by June 3), and the moms/guardians who
love and support their academic and philanthropic endeavors. Nominators
must be 13 years of age or older. Eligible high school teens may also
nominate themselves. Potential winners will be selected and notified on
or around June 20. Each winning student will receive a $5,000
scholarship to assist with his/her pursuit of higher education and a
3-day trip to the Coca-Cola Pay It Forward Academy in Atlanta, Ga.
Nominations must be received by March 31.
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
Coca-Cola North America
Yunice Emir, 404-676-8022
Public
Affairs & Communications
yemir@coca-cola.com
or
PRecise
Communications
Tracey Bowen, 404-983-3727
tracey@precisecomm.net
