atlanta, dec. 5 /prnewswire/ -- This Holiday Season, Birthday Cake Will replace Cookies On Santas Wish List. The Modern-day Image Of santa Claus -- based On A Painting Commissioned By The Coca-cola Company -- Turns 75 This year.

(photos: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061205/cgtu046-a

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Legendary Illustrator Haddon Sundblom Created The Rosy-cheeked Figure -- todays Traditionally Accepted Appearance Of The Jolly Old Elf -- In 1931 For a Coca-cola Holiday Advertising Campaign. In Total, Sundblom Created More than 40 Pieces That Feature The Coca-cola Santa, Which Has Become One Of The most Beloved Cultural Icons And An Anticipated Part Of Holiday Tradition.

To Mark The 75th Anniversary, Coca-cola Is Holding A Free Exhibit Of sundbloms Original Santa Pieces In new York City During The Holidays. The entire Exhibit Also Is Online At http://www.mycokerewards.com , As Part Of A virtual Gallery, For All To Enjoy. During The Month Of December, Coca-cola will Donate $0.75 To The Salvation Army, Up To $25,000, On Behalf Of Each person Who Visits The Online Exhibit.

"the Coca-cola Santa Embodies The Holiday Spirit And Has Helped Shape The image Of santa Claus Around The World," Said phil Mooney, Director, Archives, the Coca-cola Company. "we Hope People Will Enjoy Viewing Sundbloms Works which Have Become A Cornerstone Of Our Companys Holiday Campaigns For The past 75 Years."

New York Gallery Exhibit

The Coca-cola Santa Paintings -- Previously Featured At Renowned Museums such As The Louvre In paris -- Are Making Their 75th Anniversary Debut In new york City This December At Jazz At Lincoln Centers Frederick P. rose Hall. the Free Public Exhibit Features 20 Of The Most Beloved Coca-cola Santa original Oil Paintings.

In Addition To The Exhibit, The Holiday Celebration At Jazz At lincoln center Includes "red Hot Holiday Stomp," A Family Concert Series On dec. 14, 15, And 16 That Brings new Orleans Soul To Holiday Classics Performed By wynton Marsalis, Wess "warmdaddy" Anderson, victor Goines, Joe Temperley, wycliffe Gordon, dan Nimmer, reginald Veal, Herlin Riley, Don Vappie, roberta gumbel And Special Guests.

Online Virtual Exhibit

Those Outside The Big Apple This Holiday Season Can Visit The Holiday 2006 section Of http://www.mycokerewards.com To Enter A Virtual Gallery And View 20 original Pieces Of Artwork In The Coca-cola Collection Of santa Claus Images. the Gallery Is Complete With Descriptions, Interesting Facts And Examples Of how The Paintings Were Adapted To Other Forms Of Coca-cola Advertising Over the Past 75 Years. Guests Can Take Some Of The Holiday Cheer With Them In The form Of Free Screensavers And Ecards Featuring Sundbloms Famous Artwork. they Also Have The Option To Redeem Their My Coke Rewards Points For Items such As Coca-cola Santa Ornaments, Digital Replicas Of The Original Paintings, miniature Coca-cola Holiday Caravan Trucks, Plush Coca-cola Polar Bears And more.

Sundblom Takes Santa From Stern To Jolly

When Coca-cola First Approached Sundblom In 1931 To Develop An illustration, Popular Cultures Perception Of santa Claus Ranged From A Stern, tall, Gaunt Man To An Elf Donning A Bishops Robe Or A Norse Huntsmans Animal skin. Sundblom Changed This Visual Notion By Turning To clement Clark Moores popular 1822 Poem, "a Visit From St. Nicholas" (commonly Known As "twas The night Before Christmas") For Inspiration, Which Led To His Friendly interpretation.

"the Coca-cola Santa Paintings Are Iconic As They Are The Basis For One Of the Most Prominent Images We Associate With The Holidays," Said leila Dunbar, senior Vice President And Director Of The Collectables Department At The international Auction House Sothebys. "while Sundbloms Last Official Santa painting For Coca-cola Was Completed In 1964, Were Reminded Of How Timeless his Work Is Each Holiday Season."

The Coca-cola Santa 75th Celebration

Adding Cheer To A Festive Holiday Season, Coca-cola Is Bringing The celebration Of The 75th Anniversary Of Santas Classic Look To People Across the Country In A Number Of Ways, Including:

    -- Packaging -- This Year, Santa Arrived Early In The Form Of Coca-cola
       Classic Multi-packs And Multi-liters Which Feature The Image Of The
       Coca-cola Polar Bears Presenting Santa With A Bottle Of Coca-cola Tied
       With A Bow.  In Addition, Six-packs Of 8-oz. Limited-edition
       Collectors Bottles With The Signature Contour Shape Are Shrink-wrapped
       In Light Green Metallic.  The Six-pack Carriers Are Decked With Four
       Pieces Of Sundbloms Artwork Spanning The Decades Of The 1930s To The
       60s.  Additionally, Several Coca-cola Trademark Brands -- Diet Coke,
       Caffeine-free Diet Coke And Coca-cola Zero -- Are Paying Tribute To
       Santa Either By Featuring A Family Of Coca-cola Polar Bears Reading
       Their Letter To Santa Or A Coca-cola Polar Bear Donning A Santa Hat.
       Packaging Hit Store Shelves In Select Markets In Mid-november And Carry
       The Coca-cola Holiday Theme -- Give. Live. Love. Coke.
    -- Holiday Caravan -- Rolling With Replicas Of The Original Paintings, The
       Brilliantly Illuminated Coca-cola Holiday Caravan Is Once Again Making
       Its Way Into Communities Across The U.s. To Spread Holiday Cheer.  The
       Five, 18-wheeled Semi-trucks Are Decorated With The Image Of The
       Coca-cola Santa And Aglow With 25,000 Twinkling Lights.  At Each Stop
       Along The Way, Visitors Will Be Greeted With A Traveling Exhibit Of Six
       Digital Replica Coca-cola Santa Canvas Paintings And Secondary Pieces,
       Such As Packaging And Calendars.  My Coke Rewards Kiosks At Each
       Location Allows Visitors To Register For The Rewards Program And Redeem
       Their My Coke Rewards Points For Reproductions Of The Featured
       Paintings.


    About The Coca-cola Company

The Coca-cola Company Is The Worlds Largest Beverage Company. Along With coca-cola, Recognized As The Worlds Most Valuable Brand, The Company Markets four Of The Worlds Top Five Soft Drink Brands, Including Diet Coke, Fanta And sprite, And A Wide Range Of Other Beverages, Including Diet And Light Soft drinks, Waters, Juices And Juice Drinks, Teas, Coffees, Energy And Sports drinks. Through The Worlds Largest Beverage Distribution System, Consumers in More Than 200 Countries Enjoy The Companys Beverages At A Rate Exceeding 1.3 Billion Servings Each Day. For More Information About The Coca-cola company, Please Visit Our Website At http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com .

source The Coca-cola Company