# What's with this weirdly defensive Diet Coke commercial? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** soda-softdrinks\ **Created:** [February 2, 2018, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weirdly-defensive-diet-coke-commercial/808055 "2018-02-02T19:21:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weirdly-defensive-diet-coke-commercial/808055/21 "2018-02-03T01:59:45Z")
What up with Camo shirt/jacket? She looks a little militant for a peaceful diet coke ad. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weirdly-defensive-diet-coke-commercial/808055/22 "2018-02-03T02:06:51Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > I like that she is wearing a Germany shirt. Go Mannschaft in Russia 18!!! The lil’wrekker (my fashion consultant) says the Tee has a picture of the polaroid film box, w/rainbow stripes. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weirdly-defensive-diet-coke-commercial/808055/23 "2018-02-03T02:17:44Z")
First time I’ve seen it but, yeah, what a bizarre commercial. I’m a Diet Coke drinker (and I’ve gotten to the point I actually prefer it to regular Coke) but I certainly have never felt pangs of guilt or shame buying the product, like this commercial suggests I should have been. Just weird. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weirdly-defensive-diet-coke-commercial/808055/24 "2018-02-03T02:18:02Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > The lil’wrekker (my fashion consultant) says the Tee has a picture of the polaroid film box, w/rainbow stripes. YMMV. Germany Tee. [https://goo.gl/images/2HcQvg](https://goo.gl/images/2HcQvg) ---
**Author:** ![eunoia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eunoia/32/97_2.png) [@eunoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eunoia)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weirdly-defensive-diet-coke-commercial/808055/25 "2018-02-03T02:23:57Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > I like that she is wearing a Germany shirt. > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > What up with Camo shirt/jacket? Both bona fide, if not highly-clichéed and manufactured, streetwear grails. Like the generation it targets, it provokes an argument where there was none, then innocently steps back and takes the “just be cool dude” high road. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weirdly-defensive-diet-coke-commercial/808055/26 "2018-02-03T02:32:52Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Germany Tee. > > [https://goo.gl/images/2HcQvg](https://goo.gl/images/2HcQvg) It’s upside-down if it’s supposed to be Germany. That said, it’s also not a Polaroid film box, for sure. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weirdly-defensive-diet-coke-commercial/808055/27 "2018-02-03T02:37:17Z")
[Here’s a better picture](https://images.fastcompany.net/image/upload/w_1280,f_auto,q_auto,fl_lossy/wp-cms/uploads/2018/01/p-1-diet-coke-debuts-what-may-be-the-laziest-super-bowl-commercial-ever.jpg). It’s got six or seven colored stripes on it. It’s not like any Polaroid logo or film box I’ve ever seen. In all of them, yellow is one of the central stripes. I think it’s just a collection of colored stripes. [Here’s a similar shirt, with the colors almost exactly reversed](https://poshmark.com/listing/Brandy-Melville-rainbow-top-56c4b0906d64bc3e0a0a50ba). Seems like Brandy Melville has a bunch of rainbow styles. No idea if it is this brand, but same idea. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weirdly-defensive-diet-coke-commercial/808055/28 "2018-02-03T02:38:01Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Germany Tee. > > [https://goo.gl/images/2HcQvg](https://goo.gl/images/2HcQvg) I looked at your link, I don’t see anything that proves it is a Germany tee. Is this a German soccer team or what? It’s a “Brandy Melville” brand/type rainbow tee. I think. But it doesn’t really matter, I can’t believe a massive company like CocaCola would have a branded item on one of their ad actors. But really, who cares? ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weirdly-defensive-diet-coke-commercial/808055/29 "2018-02-03T02:40:47Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > [Here’s a better picture](https://images.fastcompany.net/image/upload/w_1280,f_auto,q_auto,fl_lossy/wp-cms/uploads/2018/01/p-1-diet-coke-debuts-what-may-be-the-laziest-super-bowl-commercial-ever.jpg). It’s got six or seven colored stripes on it. It’s not like any Polaroid logo or film box I’ve ever seen. In all of them, yellow is one of the central stripes. I think it’s just a collection of colored stripes. I think you are right. In my defense I have World Cup fever. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weirdly-defensive-diet-coke-commercial/808055/30 "2018-02-03T02:45:19Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I looked at your link, I don’t see anything that proves it is a Germany tee. Is this a German soccer team or what? In that first picture linked, it did look like like a German flag, although with the colors upside down. Germany’s flag is a black stripe over a red stripe over a yellow stripe. That other picture kinda looks like a yellow stripe over a red stripe over a black stripe. But, as noted, that would be upside down. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weirdly-defensive-diet-coke-commercial/808055/31 "2018-02-03T03:00:38Z")
Should have gone with [Annie](https://i.imgur.com/9F0W1ZG.jpg) instead. ---
**Author:** ![journeyman\_southpaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5e9695/32.png) [@journeyman\_southpaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/journeyman_southpaw)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weirdly-defensive-diet-coke-commercial/808055/32 "2018-02-03T03:25:06Z")
This ad seems like a descendant of the “Nothing To Justify” campaign from [fifteen years ago:](http://strategyonline.ca/2003/04/21/creet-20030421/) \*Television spots show thirtysomething women enjoying Diet Coke as they enjoy life: on their own terms and without answering to anybody. The campaign grew out of the insight that women make up the majority of Diet Coke drinkers, but not for the reasons you might think. Research showed that rather than treating Diet Coke as a low-calorie alternative, women just plain like the taste of Diet Coke. \* ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weirdly-defensive-diet-coke-commercial/808055/33 "2018-02-03T03:30:00Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > According to ispot, her name is Gillian Jacobs. > [Gillian Jacobs - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gillian_Jacobs) She’s 35 and did this; “Jacobs directed the 2015 documentary short The Queen of Code about computer scientist and United States Navy rear admiral Grace Hopper.” And these particular voice credits; 2013 The Venture Bros. Marsha Backwood (voice) Episode: “Venture Libre” 2017 Rick and Morty Supernova (voice) Episode: “Vindicators 3: The Return of Worldender” She’s within the 1/2 + 7 for me and she made a short about Grace Hopper, who I actually met in programming school. And does cartoon voice work. I want to marry her. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weirdly-defensive-diet-coke-commercial/808055/34 "2018-02-03T04:19:16Z")
I think you’re all missing the simple point. That commercial isn’t targeted towards people currently inclined to drink diet soda. Coca-Cola has seen the writing on the wall and it’s currently engaged in a gradual effort to slowly ween their customers off of all the sugar, the health effects of which, once fully accounted for, could make tobacco use look trivial in comparison. They can’t exactly come right out and tell people still drinking all the sugary stuff that they have to switch to diet, they’ve got to ease them into the idea or risk the continual loss of market share to all the other beverage alternatives. ---
**Author:** ![eunoia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eunoia/32/97_2.png) [@eunoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eunoia)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weirdly-defensive-diet-coke-commercial/808055/35 "2018-02-03T04:45:21Z")
Coke and their agents don’t fuck about with these ads. The sociology behind such an ad is fascinating, so I apologize in advance for the following slight digression. A bit of research on this highly studied and likely tailor-made outfit to thinly suggest highly sought-after vintage pieces of “street fashion” and their current expensive designer analogues belies the ostensibly casual and insouciant message of the performance. Just be you (…and a team of costume designers, image consultants, seamstresses and $$$$): The Germany Shirt The vintage 90’s Adidas “Germany” soccer jersey are still prized and widely-copied today. [Germany 1990 home](https://i.imgur.com/lEppk4e.jpg) and to a lesser extent [Germany 1998 home](https://i.imgur.com/rLixeSr.jpg) However, I think a stronger inspiration was [Guess x A$AP Rocky Spring Capsule '17 Rainbow Ringer](https://i.imgur.com/CPmLg9D.jpg) Fashionable rapper heroes drive this entire market. The Bomber Jacket Based on 1958 Military MA-1 designs, vintage-style bomber jackets saw a renaissance with cellphones (arm pocket!) and are so ubiquitous they may be actually going out of style, a victim of their overwhelming success. [Alpha Industries MA-1](https://i.imgur.com/OHOUxuu.jpg) is the reference for this renaissance, but famous street fashion fashion iterations include [BAPE’s 1st Camo version](https://i.imgur.com/RPfWl9G.jpg) from their Holiday 2011 Collection. The Vintage 70’s Style Joggers I’d welcome correction here because I’m sure there’s a stronger, hipper influence message I’m not aware of, likely Korean or Japanese, that eludes me. Basically everyone makes a style of these today from [Old Navy’s](https://i.imgur.com/mfTby5a.jpg) compression crops to [Gucci’s Stripe track pants.](https://i.imgur.com/0X8PFJF.jpg) The Kicks Probably meant to pay tribute to [Adidas x Yeezy V2 Zebras](https://i.imgur.com/OZ5dOqG.jpg) which are a becoming cliché in sneaker culture. Though they also may be starting to fade in desirability, there are likely 1000 copies for every original pair still being produced and originals in good condition cost a small fortune. Remember, don’t follow the herd, just be you! ---
**Author:** ![eunoia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eunoia/32/97_2.png) [@eunoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eunoia)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weirdly-defensive-diet-coke-commercial/808055/36 "2018-02-03T07:36:58Z")
Late 50’s [CWU Flight Jacket](https://i.imgur.com/J3b91fJ.jpg) later known as the MA-2, closer because of the collar. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weirdly-defensive-diet-coke-commercial/808055/37 "2018-02-03T07:46:30Z")
Apparently it was directed by Paul Feig. I hate Paul Feig. Also, why are you all talking about Gillian Jacobs like you don’t know she’s Britta from _Community_? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weirdly-defensive-diet-coke-commercial/808055/38 "2018-02-03T12:14:19Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > I think you’re all missing the simple point. That commercial isn’t targeted towards people currently inclined to drink diet soda. Coca-Cola has seen the writing on the wall and it’s currently engaged in a gradual effort to slowly ween their customers off of all the sugar, the health effects of which, once fully accounted for, could make tobacco use look trivial in comparison. > > They can’t exactly come right out and tell people still drinking all the sugary stuff that they have to switch to diet, they’ve got to ease them into the idea or risk the continual loss of market share to all the other beverage alternatives. While not untrue, what does that have to do with the OP’s question? Who are these people acting like there’s something wrong with drinking Diet Coke? ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weirdly-defensive-diet-coke-commercial/808055/39 "2018-02-03T12:42:27Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > I think you’re all missing the simple point. That commercial isn’t targeted towards people currently inclined to drink diet soda. Coca-Cola has seen the writing on the wall and it’s currently engaged in a gradual effort to slowly ween their customers off of all the sugar, the health effects of which, once fully accounted for, could make tobacco use look trivial in comparison. > > They can’t exactly come right out and tell people still drinking all the sugary stuff that they have to switch to diet, they’ve got to ease them into the idea or risk the continual loss of market share to all the other beverage alternatives. This is it. Classic business case. **BigT** - there are no people. It’s just a rhetorical device to present the case for DC. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weirdly-defensive-diet-coke-commercial/808055/40 "2018-02-03T14:27:26Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > Well she totally Britta’ed that ad. But totally lacking the meta. Who’s up for paintball? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weirdly-defensive-diet-coke-commercial/808055.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weirdly-defensive-diet-coke-commercial/808055.md?page=3)