Reviving “Obey Your Thirst” Without Losing the Plot or the Culture

In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Brittaney Kiefer speaks with Omid Farhang, Founder of Majority and A.P. Chaney, Senior Director of Creative at the Coca-Cola company, about reviving Sprite’s iconic “Obey Your Thirst” for a new generation. The conversation explores how legacy brands can stay culturally relevant without losing their core identity, and why restraint, and not reinvention, can be the boldest strategy. They unpack the role of authentic partnerships with emerging artists and athletes, aligning brand and agency vision, and turning organic consumer behavior into innovation. By grounding the campaign in real cultural signals and a clear creative ethos, Sprite reconnected with Gen Z and climbed to become the #3 soft drink in America.

What You'll Learn:

• How to resurrect iconic brand platforms without letting ego undermine strategy
• Why "disobey to obey" reframes a problematic command into a countercultural cry
• The partnership authenticity framework for selecting talent and creators
• How to transform consumer behavior on social media into product innovation
• The importance of alignment between brand leadership and agency ambitions
• How to balance cultural specificity with broad appeal

About the Guests:

Omid Farhang is the founder of Majority, a creative agency built on the belief that diversity drives culture-shaping ideas, in partnership with Shaquille O'Neal. His work has been featured in leading publications and even parodied on Saturday Night Live. A former Creative Director at Crispin Porter+Bogusky, he also held leadership roles at Creative Artists Agency and Momentum. Omid hosts the podcast Talking to Ourselves and was named to Ad Age’s 40 Under 40 in 2016.

A.P. Chaney is the Senior Director of Creative at the Coca-Cola Company, and a strategic and creative marketing leader known for developing audience-first brand work rooted in cultural insight. Blending big-picture thinking with sharp execution, she crafts campaigns that feel both relevant and authentic. Her passion for pop culture, sports, and copywriting informs deeper creative strategies that resonate with modern consumers. A.P.’s approach centers on turning insight into impact, ensuring brands connect meaningfully while delivering experiences that are both engaging and true to their voice.

Guest Resources:

• A.P. Chaney on LinkedIn
• The Coca-Cola Company Website
• Omid Farhang on LinkedIn
• Majority Website

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