The Coca-Cola company today announced the launch date for the Sprite Yard service. June 22nd 2007 cell phone users can text “YARD” to 59666 ("Lymon") and receive a reply with a WAP link to access the Sprite Yard for the fist time. Clicking the link directs the mobile device to the “Yard” where they are invited to register by selecting a tag name and password. As soon as they are registered, users can opt to create a profile to share information about themselves with their friends in the Yard. 

The Sprite Yard is a real-time digital “on-the-go” community that provides social connections and downloadable content via their mobile phone anytime, anywhere. The Sprint Yard was launched on June 1st in China.

“Sprite is the first beverage brand to enable a mobile experience combining such a rich combination of features and functions,” said Mark Greatrex, Senior Vice President, Marketing Communications and Insights, The Coca-Cola Company. “The Sprite Yard provides an efficient, sustainable and fresh marketing platform that reflects changing consumer demands and significantly personalizes the relationship between consumers and Sprite.”

Members of this new “community-to-go” have access to a host of functions they can share with their network of friends. Users build their community by inviting and being accepted by other Yard users as their friends. This allows them to share photos through the Pix gallery, showcase a snapshot of their activities in the Planner, post pictures and discussions on Scribbles, and send short mobile messages - Shouts, to individuals or groups.

The Sprite Yard will also feature exclusive downloadable content - from visitones (visual ringtones that combine music with visuals) to mobisodes (animated shorts) - that can only be unlocked through a PIN found under the cap of every 20 oz. Sprite bottle, providing a fresh, engaging experience with each purchase.

how is this going to effect the obesity crisis now effecting america? soda is a main contributor to diabetes and childhood obesity.  encouraging kids to drink more soda does not help promote healthy eating habits.

I just recently stopped drinking soda and in the two weeks that I haven’t drank Soda I have lost 5 pounds.

Whatever makes money is what a company will do. Public relations people will smooth it over (and the public will buy it, like usual).

Just an Update they have delayed the launch until the 25th!

Hey guys, the mobile Sprite Yard is up and running. Text the word YARD to 59666 and you’ll get it immediately. Go for it!

The sublymonal website launches on the 25th, not the Yard.

Ahh ok cool!

It doesn’t work for T-Mobile.

Sprite Yard sounds like such a great idea. I didn’t know this service existed. Can any network/community become a part of this? I use this mmo community site but they aren’t mobile..could be neat.

Will this experiment work? The Sprite Yard is an expensive proposition. Building a running a global mobile social network ain’t cheap. How will Sprite know if this will work?

This looks like a lot of fun, thanks for sharing.

As long as there is some money to be made in selling sodas, the cell phone companies will jump on the band wagon.

Sadly, just another way to make money at the cost of teenagers.