THE UNKNOWN HISTORY OF SPRITE

"Sprite has always been my go-to drink whenever I need a refreshing burst of flavor. The combination of lemon and lime just hits the spot every time, and it never fails to quench my thirst on a hot day."

––LeBron James, NBA superstar and Sprite endorser

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Sprite is a lemon-lime-flavored soft drink first introduced by the Coca-Cola Company in 1961 in response to the popularity of 7 Up.

Sprite's history is known for its crisp/refreshing taste and youthful hip-hop-focused marketing campaigns.

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THE ORIGINS & INVENTION OF SPRITE

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Sprite's origins can be traced to its precursor in West Germany in 1959, known then as "Fanta Klare Zitrone." Coca-Cola was feeling pressure from the rise of 7UP and Pepsi's Mountain Dew.

Germany would be the perfect testing ground for its new product.

The Coca-Cola Company then invented what is now known as Sprite. Launching it in the U.S. in 1961.

Sprite was their lemon-lime soda choice to keep up with the competition.

Originally, Sprite was marketed more towards younger adults. Its positioning was to evoke a sense of freshness and youthfulness, to be enjoyed alone or even in mixers.

The marketers at Coca-Cola also developed an eye-catching green Sprite logo and packaging to attract the masses.

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SPRITE BOY

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Coca-Cola has been using the name Sprite for many years. The name's origins can be traced to the 1950s when the Sprite Boy mascot was used to playfully advertise Coca-Cola.

Using the name Sprite made it easy to make the product recognizable to the masses in a short amount of time.

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PLASTIC BOTTLES

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Sprite was an early adopter of plastic bottles. It was one of the first soft drinks to use plastic in the 1970s.

The shift from glass to plastic changed everything in beverage packaging. It allowed Coca-Cola advantages in weight, durability, and cost-effectiveness.

Plastic was also a new invention, and people didn't have the same negative perception they now have.

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HIP-HOP CULTURE

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Sprite has marketed itself toward hip-hop and rap culture since at least the 1980s.

Coca-Cola created advertising campaigns featuring prominent rap artists to connect with black youth and America's many urban centers.

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"OBEY YOUR THIRST"

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In 1994, Sprite launched its now-iconic "Obey Your Thirst" marketing campaign.

This would become Sprite's most potent and memorable slogan, defining the brand for years.

Coca-Cola sought to position Sprite with individuality, creativity, and authenticity.

Star Power

Sprite's "Obey Your Thirst" campaign featured various celebrities in music and sports over the years.

The ads have brilliantly used icons like Grant Hill and Kobe Bryant to connect with their target audience.

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THE LYRICIST LOUNGE

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In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Sprite started sponsoring the Lyricist Lounge. After seeing the company's early successes in marketing to hip-hop culture, they wanted to double down on their strategy.

This series was an MTV television show that served as a platform for showcasing underground and emerging talent.

The show wanted to give a voice to talented artists who were being unnoticed.

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LIMITED-EDITION FLAVORS AND INTERNATIONAL VARIATIONS

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Sprite has launched many flavor variations over time.

In 2004, Coca-Cola offered a sugar-free drink called "Sugar-Free Sprite." The company was looking to build on its success with Diet Coke.

Sprite has also diversified its product line by launching Sprite Remix, Tropical, and Sprite Cranberry. These other flavors have had varying degrees of success for the soda giant.