By Valary Makena
Coca-Cola has relaunched its iconic “Share a Coke” campaign in Kenya, reintroducing personalized Coke bottles and cans featuring individual names.
Originally launched in 2011, the campaign replaces the brand’s logo with popular first names, encouraging consumers to connect through shared experiences.
This year’s campaign targets a new generation of consumers, particularly Gen Z, who are increasingly drawn to authentic, personalized experiences both online and offline. The initiative aims to highlight real-life social interactions at a time when traditional communal spaces are becoming less common.
As part of the relaunch, Coca-Cola is hosting a cross-border campus event linking students at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in Kenya and Makerere University Business School (MUBS) in Uganda. The event features a virtual portal that enables real-time interaction between the two campuses.
Nationwide activations are also planned at malls, colleges, eateries, and other public spaces, where consumers can find personalized bottles and participate in various campaign activities. In addition to in-person events, the campaign has a digital presence on TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), with users encouraged to share their experiences using the hashtag #ShareaCoke.
To enhance the personalized experience, Coca-Cola has introduced the “Share a Coke Memory Maker,” an interactive digital tool accessible via QR codes on Coke bottles and cans. This feature allows consumers to create personalized videos and memes to share with friends and family, turning everyday moments into lasting, shareable memories.
The campaign also reflects Kenya’s multicultural nature by adding hundreds of new names to the personalized bottles and cans. For those who can’t find their names, options like “your mom” or “your dad” are available, ensuring everyone can participate in the experience.
The “Share a Coke” campaign will run for the next three months in Kenya and Uganda, aiming to foster meaningful connections and create memorable moments for a new generation of consumers.
