Pepsi features UK footballers in campaign

Pepsi has launched a new global campaign featuring several UK-based athletes, as part of its continued investment in football marketing and support for UEFA Women’s Football through 2030.

Pepsi has featured players including Leah Williamson and Lauren James alongside Alexia Putellas, Caroline Graham Hansen and Farah Jefry in a campaign titled Refresh the Game.

The video includes recreated scenes from Pepsi advertisements spanning the past 50 years and features archive footage and digital recreations of players including Pelé, Ronaldinho, and David Beckham.

The campaign has been released ahead of UEFA EURO 2024 and follows the soft drink company’s ongoing sponsorship of UEFA’s men’s and women’s competitions.

Pepsi has supported UEFA Women’s Football since 2020 and recently extended this agreement to 2030.

The film has shown current players inserted into historic Pepsi football advertisements, including the 1974 ‘Join the Pepsi Generation’ film and the 2005 ‘Surfers’ campaign. The project reflects the brand’s focus on football marketing globally, coinciding with increased attention on the women’s game ahead of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, which will be hosted in Switzerland.

Pepsi’s current partnership with UEFA includes the Women’s Champions League and Women’s EURO and forms part of a broader strategy to grow visibility for the women’s game across European markets.

Leah Williamson said, “I am so proud to be part of Pepsi’s Refresh the Gamecampaign and to stand alongside legends of the game. It’s a privilege to be part of something that unites generations and inspires the next wave of footballers around the world.” 

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