NEW: OC Picks Coca-Cola As Official Soft Drink

OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Mayor and Council today approved a five-year agreement with Coca-Cola Refreshments for the beverage company to be the town’s exclusive beverage franchise holder.

The contract, which takes effect April 2, has an estimated annual value of $286,172. The franchise contract, among other things, designates Coca-Cola as the “official soft drink of Ocean City,” and provides that their products will be served in all town-owned properties and at all town-operated events.

Benefits provided to the town by Coca-Cola include a direct annual cash payment of $65,000, commission on product sales, media advertising, free product for Town events, and marketing and promotional support.  Coca-Cola also will contribute $5,000 annually to the Ocean City Recreation Boosters, a non-profit community organization that supports the Town’s recreation programs.

“The Town is looking forward to working with Coca-Cola on a coordinated marketing program to promote Ocean City as a prime mid-Atlantic destination and Coca-Cola as our official beverage partner,” said Mayor Rick Meehan.

The agreement will succeed the current contract held by Pepsi Bottling Ventures.

For the complete story, see The Dispatch or its online counterpart, www.mdcoastdispatch.com, on Friday morning.