Valentine’s Day has never had the same focus that Christmas gets from us, but Coca-Cola and Cupid go way back. Coke produced promotional Valentine’s calendars as early as 1889, and Valentine’s Day print ads in the Coca-Cola Archives date back to 1926.

"The best advertising always reflects what is happening in the world at that time. I always compare it to holding a mirror up to society – you can see what hairstyles, fashion, culture and music are popular,” said Coca-Cola Archivist Ted Ryan. “The same is idea is true of special holidays like Valentine’s Day… Coca‑Cola naturally belongs.”

Check out a full-screen gallery of vintage Coca-Cola Valentine’s Day ads.


Coke has launched retail campaigns, adverts and more in conjunction with February 14th. A 1973 Coca-Cola USA promotion invited consumers to "Buy Someone You Love A Coke," preserving the “love and harmony” message conveyed in the 1971 TV ad, "I'd Like To Buy The World A Coke" (also known as “Hilltop”).

“A lot of our advertising through the years, even our non-Valentine’s Day spots, features couples enjoying time with each other and our products,” says Jamal Booker, Coke’s manager of Heritage Communications.

More recent ads include a romantic 2012 commercial titled “Happiness is in the Air.” In the spot, which was created by a 23-year-old director from New Zealand, bouquets of red balloons drift down to a busy cityscape on Valentine’s Day, bringing with them cans of Coca-Cola for unsuspecting couples to share.

On Valentine’s Day 2012, Coca-Cola Turkey launched an online film titled “Love Machine.” In the clip, a vending machine customised with a hidden camera dispensed free Coca-Cola to couples who could prove their love through a hug or kiss in a busy Istanbul shopping mall.

Below are some more of our Valentine's Day TV ads. Watch Coca-Cola share the love: