Kenya Barris is serving up nostalgia, family, and a fresh can of storytelling with Westside’s Finest, Coca-Cola’s latest commercial that feels more like a mini-movie than a commercial.
The six-minute short, directed by Barris (Black-ish, Grown-ish, blackAF), chronicles 50 years of a family-owned convenience store and the role Coca-Cola’s portfolio of beverages has played across generations. Starring Lauren London, Lionel Boyce, Omari Hardwick, and Nelson Franklin—along with Barris himself, his wife Rainbow, and their children Kass and Bronx—the film is a tribute to how things may change, but some things always stay the same.
From the 1970s to today, Westside’s Finest brings viewers through five decades of pop culture, community, and Coca-Cola classics. The film kicks off in 1975, where two teens stroll into the store debating if computers will take over society (spoiler: they were onto something). By 1985, a flashy exec is hyping up New Coke as the “next big thing”—a prediction that didn’t exactly age well. Fast-forward to the ‘90s, and a young couple’s romance sparks over soda runs, proving that love (and good drinks) never go out of style.
Through every decade, the convenience store evolves, family members grow, and new faces emerge—but the familiar sight of Coca-Cola, Sprite, and even long-gone favorites like Tab remain a comforting constant.
Barris took the concept of Coca-Cola as a “sponsor of generations” and ran with it, crafting a story that taps into universal themes of community and connection. “A neighborhood store is like a piece of life. It’s almost a second home,” Barris explained.
Beyond the storytelling, Coca-Cola’s campaign is a strategic play to reinforce its presence across all generations. The brand has been leaning into longer-form storytelling to engage audiences in new ways, following in the footsteps of last year’s campaign from The Bear creator Christopher Storer. Unlike traditional TV ads, Westside’s Finest is built for streaming, with different versions set to hit various platforms from social media to television.
Alex Ames, Coca-Cola’s director of content and creative excellence, notes that this approach has “increased our share, increased even people’s perception of the company, and the products we sold.” In other words, nostalgia sells—and when done right, it keeps Coca-Cola at the center of shared moments across generations.
To get every decade just right, Coca-Cola’s creative team combed through archives, sourced vintage packaging, and even recreated old-school branding. “You try finding a Minute Maid can from 1995,” Ames joked, highlighting the level of detail that went into making Westside’s Finest feel authentic.
With its heartwarming storytelling, rich cultural references, and an all-star cast, Westside’s Finest is more than a brand play—it’s a celebration of the past, present, and future, told through the lens of a store that has seen it all.
And as the film comes full circle in 2025—with new teens walking in, debating AI’s impact on the world—the family’s matriarch echoes a familiar sentiment passed down from her father:
“We gon’ be alright.”