Coca-Cola Zero Fans First Game Kicks Off the Leafs Season

Coca-Cola Zero and the Toronto Maple Leafs make the impossible possible by hosting a free Maple Leafs preseason game

TORONTO, Sept. 22 /CNW/ - For 24-year-old Liam Mulligan from Toronto the impossible became possible today. Mulligan, an avid Leafs fan, was one of 18,900 lucky people who got to enjoy the extraordinary experience of a free Toronto Maple Leafs game thanks to Coca-Cola Zero and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Lucky Coca-Cola Zero Fans First Game contest winners were also given the opportunity to drop the puck to kick off the Leafs' 2010-11 season, watch part of the game with Leafs President and General Manager Brian Burke and participate in an on-ice jersey exchange with Maple Leafs players. Carlton the Bear and Maple Leafs players who were not dressed for the game were in the stands giving away official Maple Leafs jerseys to tons of fans.

"Not only did I get to see a free Leaf game," said Kevin Massicotte, Coca-Cola Zero Fans First Game ticket winner. "But I won the chance to drop the puck! Their slogan is true - Coca-Cola Zero does make the impossible possible by giving someone like me the opportunity to drop the puck at a Leaf's hockey game."

Thousands of Torontonians came out for the free tailgate party before the game, getting the chance to play four-on-four ball hockey with Leafs Alumni, rock out with The Trews, and win tickets to the game. Once inside, the lucky winners experienced a hockey game like no other, with opportunities to win Leafs season seats, be upgraded to the Coca-Cola Zero fantasy suite, win Coca-Cola Zero for a Year delivered by Maple Leafs Alumni and more.

Dave Marshall from Mississauga won one of the most exciting prizes of the event - the opportunity to be a Leaf for a day. Dave spent the day with the team, attending their morning skate and team meal, and got a chance to really get to know the hockey heroes before they played their first game of the season. Overall, the Coca-Cola Zero Fans First Game proved to be one of the most exciting and unique fan focused events in Toronto.

"The 2010 Coca-Cola Zero Fans First Game was a huge success," said Hayley Shay, manager of integrated marketing for Coca-Cola Zero. "Coca-Cola Zero continues to make the impossible possible by offering real Coca-Cola taste with zero calories, giving more than 18,000 fans the opportunity to see real Leafs hockey with zero cost and hosting an amazing tailgate party to kick it off."

    
    Some number crunching...

    18,951  Energetic Leaf fans enjoying a free NHL game

    2       Game attendees who won Season Tickets at the game

    52      Hockey pucks shot at the net

    23,000  Bottles of Coca-Cola Zero enjoyed at the game

    8       Coca-Cola Zero contest winners getting an upgrade to better seats

    7,000   Fans partying in the parking lot at the massive tailgate party
    

About the Coca-Cola Zero Fans First Game

Since 2008, the Coca-Cola Zero Fans First Game has been celebrating Coca-Cola Zero's ability to make the impossible possible, not only by providing real Coca-Cola taste with zero calories but by also presenting an opportunity to see Leafs hockey with zero cost. The Coca-Cola Zero Fans First Game has brought together more than 56,000 diehard Leafs fans and has quickly become one of Toronto's most exciting fan-focused events. Fans in attendance can expect a hockey game made even more thrilling with unexpected experiences such as the opportunity to win Season Seats, upgraded seats, and Coke Zero for a year among many others.

About Coca-Cola Canada

The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company. In Canada, the Company is represented by its subsidiary, Coca-Cola Ltd. Coca-Cola is Canada's largest beverage company. Coca-Cola in Canada markets three of Canada's top nonalcoholic sparkling beverage brands, Coca-Cola, Diet Coke and Sprite, and the leading read-to-drink tea: Nestea. In addition, its subsidiary is the largest juice and juice drinks company with Minute Maid, Five Alive and Fruitopia. The Company also markets DASANI, PowerAde and other hot and cold beverages.

For more information about Coca-Cola Canada, please visit the website at www.cocacola.ca or the parent company's website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

For further information: Kayla Rochkin, Hill & Knowlton Canada, 416-413-4767, [email protected]; Tiffany Astle, Hill & Knowlton Canada, 416-413-4659, [email protected]