Football and rugby stars are fronting Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland’s 2017 Designated Driver campaign in Ireland. The aim of the campaign is to encourage people to give the “Gift of a Lift” to friends and loved-ones this Christmas, by staying sober on nights out to ensure they get home safely. It is fronted by 2017 all-Ireland football and hurling finalists and rivals, Dublin’s Paul Flynn; Mayo’s Aidan O’Shea; Galway’s Gearoid McInerney, and Waterford’s Austin Gleeson, as well as Ulster and Ireland rugby star Craig Gilroy. — 2017 All-Ireland Football and Hurling finalists and rivals, Dublin’s Paul Flynn, Mayo’s Aidan O’Shea, Waterford’s Austin Gleeson and Galway’s Gearoid McInerney launch Coca-Cola’s 2017 Designated Driver campaign.

Coca-Cola launches “Designated Driver” free drink campaign in Ireland

Dec 1, 2017

Football and rugby stars are fronting Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland’s 2017 Designated Driver campaign in Ireland.

The aim of the campaign is to encourage people to give the “Gift of a Lift” to friends and loved-ones this Christmas, by staying sober on nights out to ensure they get home safely. It is fronted by 2017 all-Ireland football and hurling finalists and rivals, Dublin’s Paul Flynn; Mayo’s Aidan O’Shea; Galway’s Gearoid McInerney, and Waterford’s Austin Gleeson, as well as Ulster and Ireland rugby star Craig Gilroy.

“I’m very happy to support the Coca-Cola Designated Driver ‘Gift of a Lift’ campaign this year, which contributes to our aim of keeping roads alcohol free over the Christmas period,” said Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross. “This campaign reminds us that it is important to think ahead when travelling to and from festivities, whether by appointing a designated driver, refraining from drinking yourself or making other transport arrangements. Don’t risk getting into a car if you think you’re over the limit. The deaths and injuries on our roads that have been caused by alcohol intake show that it’s just not worth it.”

To support designated drivers this festive season, Coca-Cola will offer two free drinks from the Coca-Cola range or an alcohol-free “Coketail” that can be redeemed in participating bars and restaurants across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Digital vouchers are available for free by texting Coca-Cola to 50015 in Republic of Ireland and 80800 in Northern Ireland throughout the holiday season. QR codes will also be displayed in participating bars and restaurants that can be scanned onto smartphones.

“Our business has taken immense pride in supporting designated drivers throughout the Christmas season for more than a decade and we are delighted to bring an innovative approach to this years’ campaign, with the creation of our bespoke ‘Coketails’ to further celebrate and reward drivers throughout the season,” said Matthieu Seguin, Coca-Cola HBC’s Managing Director. “Also new to this year’s campaign is the introduction of a digital voucher which will make it even easier for people to claim and redeem vouchers using their smart phone – hopefully encouraging more people to keep safety top-of-mind on festive nights out.”