Which company did The Coca-Cola Company acquire in 1982, briefly making it a film studio owner?

The Coca-Cola Company acquired Columbia Pictures in 1982, briefly making it a film studio owner.

Coca-Cola bought Columbia Pictures Industries as part of a diversification strategy that extended beyond beverages. The studio controlled film production and distribution, while Coca-Cola brought corporate resources and international marketing reach to the entertainment business.

During Coca-Cola’s ownership, Columbia released successful films and expanded its entertainment operations. The arrangement also produced unusual corporate connections between a soft-drink company and Hollywood, making the acquisition a frequent example of conglomerate expansion in the 1980s.

Coca-Cola eventually sold Columbia Pictures to Sony in 1989. The sale ended the company’s direct ownership of the studio, although Columbia remained an important film label under its new parent.