Names, Nostalgia & New Connections: Coca-Cola’s ‘Share a Coke’ Campaign Lights Up Moi University
“This little bottle? It’s love in my hand. Whether it says my name or hers, it means something.” Kevin, a literature student at Moi University.
Moi University students celebrate the return of Coca-Cola’s ‘Share a Coke’ campaign on campus — sharing laughs, stories, and personalized bottles that turn everyday moments into something truly special
By James Gitaka
Coca-Cola’s iconic “Share a Coke” campaign is making waves once again, bringing a wave of nostalgia and renewed excitement to fans across East Africa. The global brand has revived the beloved initiative with a modern twist, reimagined for a generation that values authenticity, connection, and personalized experiences.
Launched originally in Australia in 2011, the “Share a Coke” campaign became a global phenomenon by replacing the brand’s legendary script logo with popular first names. It was a simple but revolutionary move — one that transformed every bottle of Coca-Cola into a deeply personal gesture, one that could spark conversations, revive memories, or become a heartfelt gift. The campaign eventually spread worldwide, including throughout Africa, where it was met with enthusiasm and emotional resonance.
Today, more than a decade later, Coca-Cola is bringing the campaign back with even greater ambition and a stronger focus on engaging young people — particularly Gen Z. A recent study highlights that 72% of Gen Z actively seek meaningful, face-to-face interaction and opportunities for authentic expression. In a world increasingly dominated by screens and digital communication, a small, tangible gesture — like handing someone a Coke with their name — becomes profoundly meaningful.
The 2025 “Share a Coke” campaign is no longer just about seeing your name on a bottle. It’s about celebrating identity, culture, and the connections that define us. Nowhere was this more evident than at Moi University in Eldoret, where Coca-Cola launched one of its most vibrant campus activations.
Connection at the Core: Moi University Comes Alive
At Moi University, students flocked to the campus center to participate in the experience. Pop-up booths allowed students to browse a wide variety of name-labeled bottles, while digital kiosks let them share moments instantly on social media with the hashtag #ShareaCoke. Laughter, selfies, and spontaneous meetups became the norm as students engaged with the campaign.
Lydia Cherop, a third-year communications student, shared her emotional reaction after spotting her name. “It took me back to my childhood — back when you’d get so excited finding your name on anything,” she said. “I called my sister immediately. She couldn’t believe it and asked me to bring one home. It made my day.”
Brian Kiptoo, a fourth-year engineering student, described how the activation created new social opportunities on campus. “Everyone was walking around with Coke bottles, comparing names. Strangers were trading names or taking photos together. I even made a new friend because she had a bottle with my cousin’s name,” he said with a grin.
For Grace Njeri, a business major, the experience was both fun and heartfelt. “I found a bottle with my best friend’s boyfriend’s name on it. I gave it to her, and she almost cried. It was such a small thing, but it felt meaningful.”
From Eldoret to Kampala: Bridging Borders with a Coke
This year’s campaign is about more than just individual names — it’s about bridging communities, cultures, and even countries. In a groundbreaking cross-border activation, Coca-Cola connected students from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in Kenya with Makerere University Business School (MUBS) in Uganda through a real-time virtual portal.
Students on both campuses were able to see, hear, and speak with each other in real-time, sharing their Coke moments live. It was a rare opportunity to foster connection across borders — celebrating unity, storytelling, and friendship.
Monique Katana, Director of Frontline Marketing at Coca-Cola Kenya, underscored the deeper message behind the campaign: “In today’s digital world, it is important to celebrate the unique bonds of friendships and this important human connection. Share a Coke reminds us that memories happen when we come together. The spontaneous moments of laughter, storytelling, and genuine connection shared over a Coca-Cola make life more special. That’s the real magic.”
A Call for Inclusion and Cultural Recognition
In Kenya, the campaign has sparked a groundswell of excitement — and suggestions. Fans are calling on Coca-Cola to represent local heroes and cultural identities on bottles.
John Kipchumba, a resident of Uasin Gishu, a region renowned for its world-class athletes, voiced his hopes: “We want Coca-Cola to consider putting athletes’ names on bottles. Uasin Gishu is full of champions — Faith Kipyegon, Kelvin Kiptum, Peres Jepchirchir, Eliud Kipchoge. Seeing them on a Coke bottle would be an incredible tribute to their legacy.”
Inclusivity has emerged as a central theme, too. Amos Juma Ouma emphasized the need to feature indigenous names: “We want to see names like Ouma, Wafula, Otieno, and Achieng’. These names reflect who we are. When we see them on a bottle, it reminds us that we belong — that our identity is recognized.”
Others suggested celebrating Kenya’s diversity even more. Caleb Omondi recommended using names of counties or local towns. “It would be awesome to see bottles for Uasin Gishu, Kisumu, Mombasa — places that hold our roots,” he said. “But of course, I’d love to see ‘Caleb’ too!”
Digital Meets Physical: A Hybrid Experience for the Digital Age
As part of this refreshed rollout, Coca-Cola has launched the “Share a Coke Memory Maker,” a digital hub accessed via QR codes on bottles. Fans can create custom virtual Coke cans, add names, emojis, and messages, and share them online — combining real-world and digital moments into one seamless experience.
This fusion of online and offline connection is at the heart of the campaign’s success. Whether at Moi University, on Instagram, or in the hands of a friend, a Coke bottle is a small but powerful reminder that someone is thinking of you.
A Celebration That Continues
Over the next three months, Coca-Cola will continue to host activations across East Africa — in universities, malls, supermarkets, eateries, and beloved hangout spots. The brand invites everyone to take part in the joy, to seek out bottles with meaningful names, and to share those moments using the hashtag #ShareaCoke.
From Nairobi to Eldoret, Kisumu to Kampala, Coca-Cola is doing more than refreshing people — it’s refreshing relationships.
As Kevin, a literature student at Moi University, summed it up: “This little bottle? It’s love in my hand. Whether it says my name or hers, it means something.”
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