Pepsi's 'Refresh the Game' Campaign Brings Soccer Icons Together
Debra John — May 22, 2025 — Marketing
References: pepsico & marketing-interactive
Pepsi has launched 'Refresh the Game,' a global campaign celebrating its five-decade association with soccer. Central to the initiative is a 60-second film that blends iconic moments from Pepsi’s advertising history with present-day talent, spotlighting both men’s and women’s soccer across generations.
The campaign features an intergenerational lineup, including Pelé, David Beckham, Ronaldinho, and leading women’s players such as Alexia Putellas, Lauren James, Caroline Graham Hansen, Farah Jefry, and Leah Williamson. The film reimagines scenes from past Pepsi commercials, including the "1974 Join the Pepsi Generation, 2005’s Surfers, and 2003’s Wild West" while integrating dynamic play sequences and product moments.
In addition to the global spot, the campaign includes "localized content with regional players such as Signe Bruun, Jéssica Silva, and Stina Blackstenius." Moreover, Refresh the Game reflects Pepsi’s commitment to uniting diverse voices and reinforcing its brand legacy within the global sport through storytelling and nostalgia.
Image Credit: Pepsi
The campaign features an intergenerational lineup, including Pelé, David Beckham, Ronaldinho, and leading women’s players such as Alexia Putellas, Lauren James, Caroline Graham Hansen, Farah Jefry, and Leah Williamson. The film reimagines scenes from past Pepsi commercials, including the "1974 Join the Pepsi Generation, 2005’s Surfers, and 2003’s Wild West" while integrating dynamic play sequences and product moments.
In addition to the global spot, the campaign includes "localized content with regional players such as Signe Bruun, Jéssica Silva, and Stina Blackstenius." Moreover, Refresh the Game reflects Pepsi’s commitment to uniting diverse voices and reinforcing its brand legacy within the global sport through storytelling and nostalgia.
Image Credit: Pepsi
Trend Themes
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Intergenerational Sports Marketing — Pepsi's use of iconic soccer figures from different eras highlights the rising trend of brands leveraging nostalgia to reach both older and younger audiences.
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Gender-inclusive Branding — Including female soccer players alongside male legends in advertising campaigns reflects a shift towards more gender-inclusive marketing strategies in sports and entertainment.
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Localized Content Creation — The campaign's regional adaptations with local players emphasize the growing importance of tailor-made content to resonate with specific markets.
Industry Implications
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Sports Marketing — The collaboration between Pepsi and soccer icons from multiple generations exemplifies new approaches to engage fans and enhance brand loyalty through sports.
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Beverage Advertising — By melding historical advertising moments with contemporary sports culture, Pepsi's campaign represents an innovative strategy in the evolving landscape of beverage promotion.
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Entertainment Content Production — Creating dynamic and diverse storytelling in commercials showcases novel methods for production companies to connect brand narratives with global audiences.
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