Kenya Barris Has a New Six-Minute Multi-Generational Saga That’s Also a Coca-Cola Commercial

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Kenya Barris is telling an American story, one can of soda after another.

As a passionate cinephile, I had the incredible opportunity to team up with Coca-Cola on their latest six-minute short film masterpiece. Known for my work on the hit ABC series “Black-ish,” I joined forces with the brand to demonstrate the deep impact of their diverse beverage portfolio on American culture over the past half century. Titled “Westside’s Finest,” this captivating commercial follows the evolving journey of a local convenience store family, played by Barris, Omari Hardwick, Lionel Boyce, Lauren London and Nelson Franklin. The story takes us through various eras, with cameos from iconic Coca-Cola drinks such as Coke, Sprite, Mr. Pibb, Honest Kids, and even the infamous New Coke and Tab!

Once the piece concludes, it might leave viewers with the impression they’ve just watched an abridged series – a series tailored to suit today’s brief focus periods.

During a recent interview, Barris noted that it might seem contradictory, but he believes people enjoy watching extended ads if they’re presented in an engaging manner.

The Westside tale is Coca-Cola’s recent endeavor to rekindle consumer awareness about the diverse assortment of beverages they produce. In 2024, the corporation premiered an advertisement created by Christopher Storer, the mind behind “The Bear,” which showcased a large family utilizing various Coca-Cola products while integrating a new partner into their family circle. The twist? This commercial was intended for ESPN sports programming and cable entertainment shows. In contrast, Barris’ work will be streamed online, with tailored versions distributed across multiple audiences on social media and television.

According to Alex Ames, director of content and creative excellence at Coca-Cola North America, the strategy has led to an expansion of our market share, enhanced people’s perception of our company, and boosted the sales of our products, as discussed in a recent interview.

This fresh initiative aims to convey to consumers that Coca-Cola has been a “supporter across generations,” an idea that resonated deeply with Barris. As he puts it, “I was able to fully grasp this concept,” and he imagined the significance of “seeing a store in your neighborhood, constantly evolving and transforming.” Throughout the six minutes (and the many decades portrayed), relationships develop, loved ones pass away, and new figures emerge. According to Barris, a local store is like a part of life. It’s almost a second home.

As a movie buff, I can relate to the meticulous work of Coca-Cola’s creative team and archivists. They went all out to ensure every era in their store was authentically represented, down to the smallest details. At times, this required tracking down original cans and memorabilia or crafting replicas from scratch.

Occasionally, this type of job proves to be harder than developing the original idea, asserts the executive. “It’s like trying to locate an old Minute Maid can from 1995,” he adds.

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2025-01-22 17:48