Which advertising agency became Coca-Cola’s first major national advertising agency in 1906?

The D’Arcy Advertising Company became Coca-Cola’s first major national advertising agency in 1906.

Coca-Cola’s early promotion relied heavily on newspaper notices, coupons, calendars, serving trays, and other items distributed through pharmacies and bottlers. As the company expanded beyond its Atlanta origins, it needed a more coordinated national advertising approach. D’Arcy, based in St. Louis, began working with Coca-Cola in 1906 and became closely associated with the brand for decades.

The agency helped develop consistent national advertising and supported the idea that Coca-Cola was more than a local fountain drink. Its long relationship with the company covered major changes in packaging, distribution, and advertising style.

D’Arcy is easily confused with later agencies connected to famous campaigns. McCann Erickson created the 1971 “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke” campaign, but it was not Coca-Cola’s first major national agency. The agency’s early role helped establish the advertising system behind Coca-Cola’s expanding brand.