The First Coca-Cola Ad Campaign Was Not What You Would Expect

Pemberton’s Decline

Despite Coke’s success, Pemberton’s addiction went unresolved. He got back into the habit and fell into financial debt. Also, the transition of Coke going from a medicinal beverage to a soft drink didn’t go so well.

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Two years later Pemberton died of stomach cancer, and the Coca-Cola company was left to the management of his son Charley and co-owner Asa G. Candler.