Adam Murphy Dunne shares his take on Coca-Cola’s ad that effortlessly weaves in LGBTQ+ representation. It’s cheeky, cinematic, and delightfully inclusive and without trying too hard, a refreshing take on love, laughs, and Coca-Cola.
This ad is set to the dramatic flair of La Traviata, the ad follows a brother and sister who both have their eye on the family’s pool cleaner. They race through the house to offer him an ice-cold Coke, only to find their mother has beaten them to it. It’s funny, over-the-top in the right way, and instantly memorable.
What sets Pool Boy apart is how casually it includes a same-sex crush. It doesn’t make a statement or try to be edgy. The representation is subtle, natural, and most importantly, equal. Both characters are smitten, and nobody blinks an eye.
I like this ad because It’s a great example of how LGBTQ+ inclusion doesn’t have to be heavy-handed to be effective. The charm lies in how effortless it all feels. The humour, the tension, the warm visual tone — it’s all classic Coca-Cola, just with a modern, inclusive twist.
The ad doesn’t preach or push. It simply reflects the world as it is today. And that, in itself, is pretty refreshing.