A defining moment: Coca-Cola joins the party

Yesterday, I experienced a moment I will never forget for many years to come.

I was in Atlanta at my client, Coca-Cola. During lunch, everyone made their way to the outside quad and gathered around a very busy platform with tables, strings, pipes and tons of 2-litre bottles of Diet Coke. Two gentlemen appeared with goggles and white coats and then the magic began...

Stephen Voltz and Fritz Grobe, A.K.A. EepyBird, performed Experiment #214, the Domino Effect in front of the entire Coca-Cola Company. Chairman Neville Isdell was in town, and although I can't confirm he watched, I'll bet he did.

I was like a kid in a candy store as I watched on in awe of the NEW Celebrities (Ad Age's Agency of the Year) did their thing.

At the end of the performance, the sound heard was not the sound of silence, but rounds of cheers and applause.

This moment was the realization of blood, sweat, tears and passion that new marketing is here to stay.

Think about it: two talented, yet normal citizens of planet earth (actually Buckfield, Maine) become the poster children for the rise of CGC and more importantly, the democratization of creativity. Not only did they get the attention of The Coca-Cola Company, but they got the acknowledgment and respect in the process.

I was not approached by Coke to blog about this. I specifically requested the ability to talk about this seminal moment in the history and future of branding and share this experience and my feelings with YOU (the person of the Year)

As a thought leader and blogger, I spend a lot of time blogging about companies and brands that get it and don't get it. Generally, I'm on the outside speculating about what goes on inside. Yesterday, I got to witness a completely different side from the inside-out. I was at the Eepy-center :) of the brand that got me interested in marketing in the first place and I walked away more hopeful and determined than ever before.