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An incredible coincidence has happened, involving this lovely woman – and it might even save some children’s lives.

A couple of weeks ago I finally got around to blogging an idea of how Coca Cola could save lives by using their distribution muscle in developing countries.

Since then I have been trying to get through to Coca Cola with some success. I got an email reply from their CSR people (see image). Unfortunately, it’s very defensive and points out all the good work they are doing already. I followed up the email with a call to Etlyn Thomas (you could call her too!). She was very nice (and so was I!). I made the point that I was not critisising Coca Cola in anyway. I was simply suggesting how they might build on the good work they are already doing in a way that would save lives and greatly enhance the Coca Cola brand.

Encouragingly, Etlyn said she had escalated the suggestion to someone more senior in the CSR department.

In the meantime – and this is the exciting bit – Annie Lennox, on the 11/5/08 edition of Desert Island Discs (repeated today) seemed to be on exactly the same wavelength. She pointed out that we live in a time when we can distribute Coca Cola to all corners of the World but children still die, usually of dehydration. (If you have a recording, it’s right at the end, around the 42 minute mark). I’m going to write to Annie next.

I also tried to get this idea debated on IPM on 10/5/08 and they said they’d call Coca Cola. I don’t know if they did. I’ve followed this up today. I’ve also followed up my call to Etlyn with this:

Hi Etlyn

Thanks for speaking with me on the phone about the dehydration salts distribution idea. Did you hear Annie Lennox on Desert Islands Disks? She said “We live in age where we can get Coca Cola to all corners of the world but where children die, usually of dehydration.” I’m going to write to Annie but would also like to speak to the person you escalated my idea to if that was possible. My mobile number is 07932 107109. I hope to hear from you again soon.

Regards

Simon
16/05/2008

If you’ve got this far, you’re interested in this too! Why not pick the phone up to Etlyn yourself or register and comment on the IPM Blog.

I’ve feeling we might just get through!

Further information

All of the Coca Cola Campaign posts