This is a story about a spy — a very specific spy — who worked for Coca-Cola.
When Mel Stowers worked for Coke back in the 1970s his official title was a ‘trade examiner’. His job was to make sure Coke’s trademark wasn’t infringed upon. And as he tells his son Ben Stowers he did this by making sure that – while posing as a customer – when he asked a for a COKE, he got one.
Today’s story was produced by Stephen Key and recorded in partnership with the Atlanta History Center which hosts the StoryCorps booth. To learn more about recording a friend or loved one in the recording booth visit WABE.org/StoryCorps.
