#PepsiChallenge launches globally across areas of pop culture
Issued on Pepsi's social and digital channels and via renowned ambassadors from around the world, #PepsiChallenge will incite consumers to take on different challenges for amazing life experiences and rewards.
Imbued with the cultural standing that has become its trademark, the 2015 content-driven, socially led Pepsi Challenge will bring out-of-this-world films, once-in-a-lifetime music events, unique sports experiences and a global movement that will light up entire communities.
"Pepsi Challenge is an iconic piece of our brand equity and in many ways established our can-do attitude and spirit," said Kristin Patrick, Senior VP and Chief Marketing Officer, PepsiCo Global Beverage Brands.
"When we talked to consumers around the globe about what challenge meant to them today, they resoundingly said that it entailed challenging convention and daring to do something differently. We used that sentiment as our inspiration to expand beyond just taste and re-imagine the Pepsi Challenge for new generations, creating this cross-pollination of experiences, events, community and social advocacy, designed to ignite a mindset that challenges the status quo, our fans and ourselves."
Global challenges led by ambassadors
A global Pepsi ambassador will lead each global challenge. Chosen for their ability to transcend borders and challenge convention, these global ambassadors include:
- • Eight-time Grammy award winning entertainer with more than 65 million records sold worldwide, Usher
• 19-time tennis Grand Slam champion and undisputed greatest female tennis player of all-time, Serena Williams
• The rising futbol superstar who served notice to the world in 2014, Columbia and Real Madrid's James RodrÃguez
• The "Fastest Man Alive" and six-time Olympic gold medalist, Usain Bolt
• World-renowned fashion designer, creative director and fashion editor widely known for collaborations with Diesel, Uniqlo and Lady Gaga, Nicola Formichetti
"Throughout my life I have aspired to live each day with purpose and as an artist it is especially important to take risks and follow your passions," said Usher. "It is great to team up with Pepsi to encourage people all over the world to live their life to the fullest and experience things they may have never dreamed of before."
Locally relevant stars from around the world will join global ambassadors to amplify local and global challenges alike, including music artist Hussain Al Jasmi from the Middle East, Polish fashion designer Maciej Sieradzky and football star Andrey Pyatov from the Ukraine.
Pop culture mix
Global challenges will be unveiled across areas of pop culture that consumers are passionate about - technology, music, sports and design and are accessible by visiting the website and Pepsi social channels around the world. Among the global challenges:
- • Technology: unprecedented, inaugural brand collaboration with UrtheCast, which is providing the world's first full-colour Ultra High-Definition video camera in space. Featuring out-of-this-world footage captured by UrtheCast's HD video camera and its medium-resolution camera on board the International Space Station (ISS), Pepsi will challenge live production conventions with the first epic film adventure shot from space.
• Music: A cannot miss experience at Rock in Rio Brazil, the biggest music festival in the world that for 30 years has showcased an unparalleled collection of performers in one place.
• Sports: A collection of unconventional global sporting events and experiences anchored by some of the world's most beloved sports heroes.
Global challenges will be augmented by regionally relevant challenges designed to capture the authentic essence of their market. Examples from around the world include "Crash the IPL," a three-month campaign challenging consumers in India to create and submit their own Pepsi ad for a chance to be aired during Indian Premier League games during the 2015 Pepsi IPL season; regional food-focused challenges in Thailand; and a Latin America summer music challenge tied to La Gira Refrescante.
Challenge darkness
Underpinning and uniting every #PepsiChallenge is a way for people around the world to make an impact. Through a partnership with the Liter of Light organisation, Pepsi will bring cost effective solar lighting solutions to communities in need while recycling plastic bottles. To date, Liter of Light has provided ecologically sustainable lighting solutions, free of cost, to more than 18 countries including Brazil, India, Kenya, Colombia, Indonesia, Mexico, Egypt, Pakistan and the Philippines. Through an expansion of an existing partnership with PepsiCo, every time consumers around the world use the #PepsiChallenge hashtag on public Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube profiles, Pepsi will donate $1 to Liter of Light to help bring light to people around the world who need it most.
The global, 360-integrated Pepsi Challenge programme will also include several global television commercials, digital content, consumer engagement programs, point of sale, special packaging, impactful out of home and a robust digital and social programme. Fans can participate in the #PepsiChallenge by following Pepsi on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram in their local country or by going to www.PepsiChallenge.com.
