On Thursday, July 25, the world witnessed the release of “Hello World,” a vibrant and unifying song penned by Ryan Tedder, with additional lyrics by Anderson .Paak, and performed by Gwen Stefani and .Paak. This song, now available on digital platforms globally, is accompanied by a dynamic video on the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) YouTube channel.
The video features American artists Gwen Stefani and Anderson .Paak dancing in front of the iconic Olympic rings, complemented by exhilarating footage from previous Summer Olympics.
“Hello World” will be prominently featured during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The IOC and the Coca-Cola Company plan to integrate the song into their marketing and communications initiatives throughout the two-week event, with plans to use it in future Olympic Games as well.
The idea for the song has also its own history. It emerged from a dinner meeting between Josh Burke, Coca-Cola’s global head of music and culture marketing, and Brian Monaco, president and global marketing officer at Sony Music Publishing. Rather than selecting an existing song or artist, they sought a unique approach.
“We brainstormed ways to enhance our collaboration and discussed the goal of creating an Olympic song,” Monaco explained. “Over the next few weeks, we shared demo ideas with the Coca-Cola team and the IOC. I reached out to Ryan Tedder, knowing his exceptional songwriting skills and our successful history working with top brands. Together, we began developing concepts for the song.”
The directive for Tedder was clear: create a universally appealing, uplifting song that would inspire athletes and music fans alike. “We wanted a song that resonated globally, an uplifting and bright tune that would inspire everyday greatness,” Burke said. “It was essential that it wasn’t perceived as a ‘brand’ song or a ‘jingle’. We had to relinquish some control, which is challenging. Trusting Ryan and the process led to the birth of ‘Hello World’.”
Tedder, who has previously collaborated with Coca-Cola on the Sprite Limelight 2023 program, embraced the challenge. The project was a close collaboration between Coca-Cola and the IOC, with the IOC involved at every stage. “The IOC was our partner from start to finish, providing incredible collaboration,” Burke noted. “The footage in the video, beyond the Olympic rings, comes from their archives and includes several athletes involved in our broader Olympic brand activities for Paris 2024.”
“Hello World” aims to inspire and unite, capturing the spirit of the Olympics and celebrating the athletes’ journeys. With Stefani and .Paak’s energetic performance, the song is poised to become a memorable anthem for the Paris 2024 Games and beyond.
