A Fireside Chat - Behind the Scenes of Coca-Cola’s Global Ch

What does it really take to bring one of the world’s most recognisable Christmas campaigns to life?

Join us for a special festive Fireside Chat with Sam Possible, Lancaster University alumnus and former Coca-Cola marketing professional, for a behind-the-scenes look at the strategy, creativity and complexity involved in delivering a global campaign for one of the world’s most iconic brands.

Having spent six years at Coca-Cola, Sam was part of the team working on its global Christmas campaign during the extraordinary circumstances of 2020. While the familiar festive imagery might make the campaign look effortless, the reality behind the scenes was anything but.

From the original brief and creative development with agency partners to the commercial planning, production and delivery across international markets, Sam will explore the many moving parts involved in bringing a campaign of this scale to life. He’ll share insights into how a global brand balances a consistent identity with the needs of different countries, how teams navigate complex internal relationships and competing priorities, and how the campaign had to adapt when Covid brought unprecedented challenges.

How do you balance a global brand identity with the differences between individual markets? How do you get people across a complex international organisation working towards the same goal? And what happens when the unexpected disrupts even the best laid plans?

Drawing on his own experience, Sam will explore the realities of working inside a major global business, the decisions and challenges that audiences rarely get to see, and the people and processes behind a famous festive tradition.

As a Lancaster alumnus, Sam will also reflect on his own career journey and share insights into the world of global marketing, offering valuable lessons for students considering their next steps, professionals interested in business and marketing, and anyone curious about the story behind a brand they know so well.

Expect an engaging and insightful conversation about creativity, collaboration, global business and the reality of making the magic happen.

Registration: 5.30pm - 6.00pm | Fireside Chat: 6.00pm - 7.30pm

Please note this is an IN PERSON event