In this segment from Motley Fool Money, the team looks at an unusual marketing plan cooked up between the world's leading soda company and the world's greatest investor. Will putting an octogenarian on cola cans seize the attention of Chinese customers?
Buffett is indeed a popular man in the most populous nation.
A full transcript follows the video.
This video was recorded on April 7, 2017.
Chris Hill: Berkshire Hathaway owns more than 9% of Coca-Cola (KO +0.12%) stock. To help Big Red with the recent launch of Cherry Coke in China, Berkshire is pitching in by lending one of their assets: Warren Buffett special edition cans of Cherry Coke will feature Buffett's likeness and will be available in China as long as supplies last. Coca-Cola's chairman and CEO, Muhtar Kent, said, "I can't think of a better way to launch Cherry Coke than with its best-known fan on the package." Really, Simon? That's the best way?
Simon Erickson: Hey, I'm not guaranteeing this, but I've heard that it makes you smarter if you drink the can that has Warren Buffett on it.
Hill: You know what? I could think of a few Fools around here that are big enough fans of Warren Buffett that they would pick up a few limited edition cans of Cherry Coke.
Erickson: Sure. And China loves Warren Buffett. The Omaha World Herald reported over 3,000 Chinese investors read Berkshire's annual meeting last year. He's a great public figure, great for the brand, and probably going to sell some more Cokes out there in the country.
Hill: In all seriousness, we've seen Buffett's likeness being used in China in other promotional efforts. So, maybe not all that surprising, that he's on the cans of Cherry Coke.
Erickson: And I thought it was a flattering depiction of him on the Coke can, as well.
Hill: Yeah, I think, if you're Warren Buffett, you're probably fine with that drawing that they've done up. I've certainly seen worse.
Jason Moser: It makes him look a little bit younger. My rule of thumb, if it makes you look a little bit younger, everything's OK.
