New Coke Zero

Source: us.cocacola.com

Here we go again? Feels like 1985! “Now more delicious”

Coca-Cola just announced a new formulation of its Coke Zero drink that has already rolled out in Europe and hits stores in the US this month. It’s meant to deliver a better Coca-Cola taste.

You may remember or you may have read the classic marketing case #Fail of New Coke back in 1985. Back then the company changed the flavor of its beverage which met immediate backlash. To the point where the brand had to quickly reintroduce “Classic Coke,” which then basically replaced New Coke which got taken off the market. Slowly, the word “Classic” was stripped away and we were all left back with just plain ‘ole beloved Coke.

Feels like New Coke Zero may be headed in the same direction considering the immediate negative response on social media. Time will tell if this is just a quick response that will eventually fade or it will force the company to go back “Classic” Coke Zero.

We shall see … will this become another classic marketing case study like 1985’s experiment? That one is in every text book including my own!

What’s your experience? JIM