THE COKE20 SUMMIT

  Dear Mr.     Prime Minister:

   It is with great disappointment that we read today of your decision not to enter into any corporate partnerships that would help defray the considerable costs of the G8 and G20 summits next week. See the Globe And Mail story here: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/g8-g20/news/ottawa-steered-clear-of-corporate-sponsorships-for-g8-g20/article1608401/

   We here at Coca Cola Ltd. have read with interest that the cost of holding these two very important summits in Huntsville, Ontario and Toronto is now topping $1.2 billion, or if you prefer, $2 million a minute for the duration of the meetings. 

  We assume this figure includes the cost of construction for the so-called "fake lake" at Toronto's Metro Convention Centre. This in a country with the largest number of lakes on the planet, and with one of the largest lakes in the world - Lake Ontario - sitting less than a kilometre south of the centre. Not to mention the costs of turning downtown Toronto into an armed camp.

   So, we're writing in the hope that you will reconsider your decision and weigh an offer from us to become the sole corporate sponsor of the G20 Summit in Toronto. For the naming rights to the summit - henceforth it would be dubbed the Coca Cola G20 Summit - we are offering $250 million. That would, of course, necessitate the inclusion of our corporate symbol in the G20 Toronto logo. Have a look at the rough mock-up we have enclosed.

   Now, we aren't ruling out the possibility that you might want us to be much more visible partners than that. So, we are prepared to offer $500 million for the right to replace the CN Tower in the G20 logo with a stylized skyscraper Coca Cola bottle. We would also require that you, as chair of the summit, mention our product in your opening remarks. Something like "I declare the Coca Cola G20 Summit open. And leaders, please avail yourselves of the cold, refreshing bottle of coke we've provided for you at your desk. There's plenty more where that came from ... After all, it is the Real Thing."

   Of course, Coca Cola is prepared to defray the ENTIRE cost of the summit, if you are willing to make us even more visible than that. For $1.2 billion we would demand that the meeting be dubbed the Coke20 Summit. In addition to greatly expanding our presence in the logo, we would also require that you, as chair, dress yourself for all official summit-related functions in one of our special "Coke Can suits." Of course, that would include the final group photo. Now, don't worry. The costume's a lot more comfortable than it looks, and you may keep it free of charge after the summit's over!

   In closing, Mr. Prime Minister, we believe Coca Cola Ltd. is the best corporate sponsor the summit could possibly have. After all, what other product is so visible and universally loved? We have a dominant presence in all G20 markets, and are recognizable everywhere.

  We look forward to your response, and the opportunity to work with you and your government in making the world a better place, not only for corporations, but for the people who own them.

   Warmest Regards,

   Muhtar Kent

   President & CEO, Coca Cola Ltd.

  

Comments

[John Keating]

Stephen Harper in a Coke suit? I'd constribute heavily to the cost of the summit to see that!

[cheap jordans]

He asked him if he had brought any Girl Scout cookies...and then WHAT time did he plan to have his daughter home? The poor guy (he is recently 16 too!) was great and said, "whatever time you would like her home." Later, on the date (the went on a group date to Cafe Rio for dinner and then went and played games at an amusement center) he told McKay he thought her dad reaasdflly did want the Girl Scout cookies. McKay told him that he was only kidding. I think Ty loves to make these poor guys nervous... She did have a really nice time and he was a gentlemen. It was weird watching her get dressed to go on a date.