This is how Coca-Cola managed to turn a marketing disaster into a boost for its fans.
In 1984, Pepsi took on Michael Jackson and became the drink of the new generation, making Coca-Cola the drink of the old generation.
But that’s not all, the Pepsi Challenge reveals that when people blindly test drinks, they prefer the taste of Pepsi to that of Coca Cola.
The marketing geniuses at Coca then made a radical decision: they would kill their flagship product on April 23, 1985 to make way for the “new Coca-Cola,” an improved formula of the old Coca-Cola.
And what happens when you take away an old soft toy from a child in front of his eyes, he wants it more than ever!
Coca-Cola is flooded with offensive letters from fans, smuggling of the last cans of original Coca-Cola is organized, Pepsi is in heaven!
79 days later, Coca-Cola reversed course, classic Coke is back. Fans declare victory, Coca-Cola sales increase.
That’s why we don’t change a recipe that works.
