Coca Cola Designated Driver Campaign Underway

28 November 2016

Coca Cola Designated Driver Campaign Underway

Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (HBC) Ireland has announced plans for its 12th annual Designated Driver campaign, to be fronted by Ireland and Ulster rugby player Tommy Bowe.

 

The campaign, a long-standing Irish Christmas tradition that safeguards many others, will go live in over 1,000 participating licensed trade venues nationwide from 25th November 2016. The campaign rewards safety-conscious Designated Drivers with two FREE Drinks from the Coca-Cola range, including new and improved Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, which looks and tastes more like Coca-Cola Classic, with zero sugar.

 

During the campaign, as with previous years, Designated Drivers will be encouraged to visit www.DesignatedDriver.ie to download a voucher entitling them to two free soft drinks when presented at participating licensed trade venues across Ireland and Northern Ireland.

 

For the first time with the Designated Driver campaign, Coca-Cola is also taking to the road to unlock the lore of Ireland’s festive traditions with rugby star Tommy Bowe and comedian Andrew Stanley. Consumers will be asked to share their favourite Christmas tradition with #DesignatedDriver for a chance to win a local visit from Coca-Cola over the coming weeks along with a Christmas supply of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar for all the family. 

 

Andrew Stanley, campaign ambassador, said, “This is a really important campaign that promotes safe driving practices, while rewarding Designated Drivers over Christmas, including myself. I am really looking forward to travelling the length and breadth of the country in November and December to hear some warm and funny Christmas traditions from consumers and licensed trade outlets.”

 

Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard commented, “Drink/drug driving has caused over 2000 deaths and serious injuries since 2000. That’s 2000 devastated families. Last year alone, eight people killed and 64 seriously injured can be attributed to a driver or rider being impaired by alcohol or drugs.  All of these families’ lives changed forever the moment those responsible took a drink and decided to drive.

 

“We have a duty to our own families and friends to ensure we are there to celebrate Christmas with them.  We also have to ensure others are with their loved ones at this time of year. The bottom line is that any alcohol, even just one drink, will impair your driving ability.  To ensure you and your friends get home safely: book a taxi or have a designated driver who will not drink alcohol.

 

“All drivers who buy and consume an alcoholic drink should realise it could be the most expensive one they have ever had – ultimately costing them or other road users their lives. Ask yourself, if you decide to drive after having a drink – and crash – and someone dies or is seriously injured; could you live with the shame? The only safe level of alcohol to take, and drive, is none.”

 

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd echoed these comments saying, “We want people to enjoy the festive season, but to do so safely. Our advice is very simple. Never, ever drink and drive. If you are planning on drinking, get a bus, book a taxi, or agree a nominated driver who can avail of this excellent initiative.”

 

Paddy Murney, Sales Director, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland said: “Now in its twelfth year, Coca-Cola’s Designated Driver campaign has become a renowned Christmas tradition across Ireland and Northern Ireland, rewarding our consumers for volunteering to be the respected Designated Driver.

 

“Christmas is a time of celebration and Coca-Cola aims safeguards this special time with friends and family through the Designated Driver programme. Equally, it is important period for our licensing trade partners and we want to support their business throughout the festive season. I encourage all our partners to help communicate the message by asking our consumers to share their favourite Christmas traditions across their social networks using #DesignatedDriver.”

 

In Northern Ireland, the Designated Driver campaign is supported by the PSNI, Hospitality Ulster and the NI Hotel Federation. In the Republic of Ireland, it is supported by An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority and Drinkaware. It is also backed by the Licensed Vintners Association, the Vintners Federation of Ireland, the Restaurants Association of Ireland, and the Irish Hotels Federation.

 

Over the past twelve years, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland has invested more than €6 million in the campaign to help promote road safety during the Christmas period.

 

In 2016, the Designated Driver campaign will celebrate the new and improved Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, which looks and tastes more like Coca-Cola Classic, with zero sugar.

 

The campaign’s website www.DesignatedDriver.ie provides a full list of participating licensed trade venues across the country.

 

To register for the campaign please contact your local sales representative or the customer information centre on ROI 1890 26 22 26 | NI 0845 608 8889.