NEW YORK (January 14, 2013)--Coca-Cola became one of the world's most powerful brands by equating its soft drinks with happiness, but now it's taking to the airwaves for the first time to address the growing cloud obesity poses over the industry.

The Atlanta-based company Monday began airing a two-minute commercial during the highest-rated shows on CNN, Fox News and MSNBC in hopes of becoming a stronger voice in the intensifying debate over sodas and their impact on public health.

The ad lays out Coca-Cola's record of providing drinks with fewer calories over the years and notes that weight gain is the result of consuming too many calories of any kind and not just soda.

Coca-Cola says the campaign will kick off a variety of moves that help address obesity in the year ahead.