rosen@gypsy.UUCP (07/10/85)
From all of the hated talk that I have been hearing about the new Coke, I have a sneaking suspicion that Coke actual had a very clever marketing ploy up their sleeves when they decided to change the formula of the drink. What they intended to do was make the soda mildly disgusting so that people could drink a can or two without blowing their lunch, but still not liking the stuff enough to try it again. They knew that people would complain and gripe and demand the old Coke back. After about six months or so, they would have the public so hyped up about potentially bringing back the old Coke, that when they did bring it back, they would do incredible business because people will be drinking it like crazy to make up for the lost time. I am sure that this is their intention and they will bring back the old Coke; it's just a matter of time. It's sort of like a sling-shot effect: Coke decides it will lose some of its market share for a short duration, in trade it will greatly enhance its market share when they decide to bring back the old Coke! A good way to give them an edge over Pepsi. A very clever marketing tactic. Somehow I get the impression that by putting out the new Coke, Coke has violated the Constitutional rights of the soda drinking public. Why else would so many people complain? I think that the law says something like: "No beverage maker shall produce any sucrose filled beverage that is to the dissatisfaction of the general public..." :-) Geez, it's only a fluid which contains 10 pounds of sugar and a dark brown coloring agent (most probably a brown crayon). If you don't like it, go drink something else (I know you're already drinking Pepsi) - who's twisting your arm? Steve Rosen rosen@gypsy