The FINANCIAL -- Coca‑Cola has unveiled its range of Olympic and Paralympic Games
pin badges, which are set to become future collector’s items as official
mementos of London 2012.
The 182 exclusive pins feature fun designs that celebrate typically British traits and traditions including Routemaster buses, butlers, bulldogs, and umbrellas. There are intricate pins that depict famous London landmarks, as well as iconic moments in British popular culture. According to The Coca-cola Company, the collection also includes pins to commemorate the Olympic Torch Relay that is currently making its way across the country, and the special city celebrations that are being hosted by Coca‑Cola as presenting partner.
As the presenting partner of the official Olympic and Paralympic pin trading centres since 1988, Coca‑Cola is preparing for a summer of pin trading fever. Dubbed the unofficial spectator sport of the Games, thousands of people are expected to buy pin badges and millions are predicted to change hands.
Coca‑Cola pins go on sale from today, and people can visit www.cokestore2012.co.uk to place their order for an authentic piece of Olympic and Paralympic Games history. Profits from Coca‑Cola licensed merchandise sales, including pin badges, will be given to Coca‑Cola’s charity partner StreetGames to help to bring sport to 110,000 young people in some of the most deprived communities in the UK.
Of Coca‑Cola’s memorable designs, the four pins produced for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games are set to become highly prized collectors’ items as there will only be a limited number produced. A further three exclusive designs will only be available to buy at official Coca‑Cola pin trading centres at Hyde Park and the Olympic Park.
All of Coca‑Cola’s pin badges have been created by two inspirational young designers from Brighton and Hartlepool, continuing the company’s commitment in using its sponsorship of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to celebrate and shine a light on the best of British youth – its Future Flames.
Tracy Martin, a leading expert on modern collectibles and a regular on ITV's This Morning, and BBC's Flog it!, predicts that official pins designed to celebrate London 2012 will become antiques of the future. She said:
“Not only are pin badges a great memento of the Games, trading pins is great fun and Coca‑Cola’s pins will be collected and swapped for decades to come. Sets such as ‘Musical Jigsaw’ have been inspired by iconic moments in British popular culture from the 60s and 70s and are beautifully detailed. Pins created for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies are sure to become highly desirable in years to come and people should keep an eye out for these eye catching designs.”
Maxine Chapman, Director of Showcasing, London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Project Team, The Coca‑Cola Company, said: “We know from previous Games that people love to collect and swap official pins. Our collection for London 2012 has been created by two incredibly talented young designers and they depict some wonderfully British themes that we hope will appeal to everyone. Pin trading is a great way of experiencing the magic of the Games and it’s a fantastic opportunity for people all over the UK to keep something that reminds them of what will be a once in a lifetime celebration of sport.”
Paul McGill, pin enthusiast and founder of website LondonPins.co.uk, said: “As an avid sports fan and pin badge collector I am very excited that the Olympic and Paralympic Games is coming to my home city. I’ve been collecting and trading commemorative pins for the past ten years and it’s an excellent way to remember events, places and experiences. The most collectable pins are always the limited editions that capture the public’s imagination and interest for a subject. I hope that everyone who tries their hand at pin trading this summer has a great time. I'm looking forward to making many new friends and getting some great trades along the way!”
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