Complaint number: 25/318
Advertiser: Coca-Cola Oceania
Advertisement: Coca-Cola, Live Television
Date of Decision: 15 December 2025
Outcome: No Further Action

Complaint: Coca Cola are currently playing an advertisement depicting a jolly older man in a red and white costume (presumably Father Christmas) sending off a Coca Cola delievery truck. However the background audio narrative refers numerous times to “Holidays are coming”. I find this very offensive as the advert has adopted the woke American euphimism of referring to “holidays” when everyone knows they are referring to Christmas. I acknowledge that Christmas is a Christian celebration but in no way does celebrating Christmas diminish the opportuntity to have other religious and cultural celebrations.

Relevant Codes: Advertising Standards Code – Principle 1, Rule 1 (c) Decency and Offensiveness;

Decision: The Complaints Board Chair considered the context, medium and audience of the advertisement, the product or service being advertised and when applicable generally prevailing community standards. The Chair also considered decisions about similar issues or advertising.

The Chair ruled the issue you raised does not reach the threshold to breach the relevant Advertising Standards Authority Codes and we will not be taking any further action.