Two memories stand out for me during this time. 1) Pepsi decided to get brutal with their counter-marketing. A commercial featured a teen girl who was confused over why Coke would change their formula, acting like she felt betrayed and abandoned by Coca-Cola. She looked at the camera and asked "why would they change it?" She took a sip of Pepsi, smiled, and said "oh, that's why" then in my hazy, fill-in-the-blanks memory that's probably wholly inaccurate, she quietly continued drinking while the Pepsi logo appeared on screen (that part probably didn't happen that way, but it seems like it should've happened that way).
And 2) a Coke executive appeared in a commercial and apologized to the world. He said they were switching back, and my father -- a Japanese immigrant who had his heavy accent 'til the day he died -- jokingly pointed an accusatory finger at the TV and yelled "you make MISTAKE!"
Yeah Coke in Japan also tastes different than Coke in Canada where I'm from. Also a fun fact: you cannot find Diet Coke in Japan anywhere. Not even in import shops. Only either regular Coke or Coke Zero.
And how can we forget about the whole Crystal Pepsi fiasco? Complete with how they painted Van Halen into a corner to let them use Right Now for the ads.
There was a rumour going around that New Coke was really just an excuse to switch from cane sugar to HFCS. The idea was to bring out New Coke--which they knew people would hate--then bring back the original, but with the switch made. Enough time would then have passed that people would be thrilled to have the old one back and wouldn't notice the difference.
Two memories stand out for me during this time. 1) Pepsi decided to get brutal with their counter-marketing. A commercial featured a teen girl who was confused over why Coke would change their formula, acting like she felt betrayed and abandoned by Coca-Cola. She looked at the camera and asked "why would they change it?" She took a sip of Pepsi, smiled, and said "oh, that's why" then in my hazy, fill-in-the-blanks memory that's probably wholly inaccurate, she quietly continued drinking while the Pepsi logo appeared on screen (that part probably didn't happen that way, but it seems like it should've happened that way).
And 2) a Coke executive appeared in a commercial and apologized to the world. He said they were switching back, and my father -- a Japanese immigrant who had his heavy accent 'til the day he died -- jokingly pointed an accusatory finger at the TV and yelled "you make MISTAKE!"
OMG I'm dying just imagining your father. Thanks for today's laugh.
Fun perception that is probably incorrect, Coke tastes different in each European country. I particularly dislike Coke in Spain.
Yeah Coke in Japan also tastes different than Coke in Canada where I'm from. Also a fun fact: you cannot find Diet Coke in Japan anywhere. Not even in import shops. Only either regular Coke or Coke Zero.
And how can we forget about the whole Crystal Pepsi fiasco? Complete with how they painted Van Halen into a corner to let them use Right Now for the ads.
As a Diet Coke fan who has been to Japan, yeah I sure noticed that.
I haven't been to Spain, and am much more of a Diet Coke drinker. In Mexico it's "Coke Light" and it's different but it's all right, I guess.
Someone told me it had to with the local water, as coke is mostly water it has a big impact on the flavour.
Apparently the same is true for beer.
There was a rumour going around that New Coke was really just an excuse to switch from cane sugar to HFCS. The idea was to bring out New Coke--which they knew people would hate--then bring back the original, but with the switch made. Enough time would then have passed that people would be thrilled to have the old one back and wouldn't notice the difference.
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/new-coke-fiasco/