OKLAHOMA CITY, Friday, June 5, 2009 – The Oklahoma City Thunder announced today a multi-year partnership with Great Plains Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Oklahoma City.
“I’m very pleased the Coca-Cola Company and Great Plains Coca-Cola Bottling Company have joined the Oklahoma City Thunder family of partners,” said Thunder Vice President of Business Development John Croley. “Coca-Cola is one of the most recognized brands in the world. We are fortunate to have entered into a long term exclusive partnership with Coke. With this partnership, Coca-Cola provides the Thunder with industry leading soft drink products and marketing and branding opportunities.”
Coca-Cola and its family of products will be exclusively available at the Ford Center beginning for the 2009-10 NBA season.
“Great Plains Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Oklahoma City and The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, GA are proud to partner with the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Basketball team,” said Robert Browne, Chairman of the Board & CEO of Great Plains Coca-Cola Bottling Company. “Promoting together, along with other local and national partners, we look forward to building community awareness and enthusiasm for the NBA in Oklahoma. We are very excited about the future opportunities this partnership will bring.”ABOUT GREAT PLAINS COCA-COLA BOTTLING COMPANY
Great Plains Coca-Cola Bottling Company is a locally owned bottler operated by the Browne family since 1922 distributing Coca-Cola products in central, northeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas. Located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Great Plains operates two production and seven distribution facilities and employs more than 1,200 people. Great Plains prides itself on the focus and service it provides to associates, customers, partners and the community. Great Plains is the seventh largest Bottler/Distributor of Coca-Cola products in North America and was voted “Bottler of the Year” in 2007 by Beverage World Magazine.ABOUT THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 450 sparkling and still brands. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world’s most valuable brand, the Company’s portfolio includes 12 other billion-dollar brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade and Minute Maid. Globally, Coca-Cola is the number one provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the company’s beverages at a rate of 1.5 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, the company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where they operate. For more information, please visit www.thecoca-colacompany.com.