[net.misc.coke] This had to be a pre-planned trick

smk@axiom.UUCP (Steven M. Kramer) (07/15/85)

I predicted Classic Coke weeks ago in another posting.
Think about it.  To set up a marketing strategy for the
old (new??) stuff, plans needed to be put into place weeks
or even moths ago, especially in a company as old and large
as Coca-Cola.  I think the phone # was a ploy.  I think
having the new coke taste more like Pepsi was a ploy to steal
Pepsi customers away.

Big deal if I sound like I'm tooting my own horn for thinking
of this awhile back.  I'm not employed by Coke so I get nothing out
of it, so I can't be THAT smart!   :-)
-- 
	--steve kramer
	{allegra,genrad,ihnp4,utzoo,philabs,uw-beaver}!linus!axiom!smk	(UUCP)
	linus!axiom!smk@mitre-bedford					(MIL)

lauren@vortex.UUCP (Lauren Weinstein) (07/15/85)

People I've checked with who know the beverage industry 
tell me that the odds of the Old Coke Comeback being pre-planned
in any signficant way are almost nil.  Among other things, the stock
fluctuations could have gone in either direction--some might
interpret the return of Old Coke as a sign of poor management and
SELL stock on that basis.  Most likely Coke had a contingency 
plan to bring back the old flavor if the figures indicated it would
be worthwhile, but would have rather not have had to do so since it
puts their fountain and other commercial customers in a difficult situation
(having to pick one or the other or find room for both).

--Lauren--

ark@alice.UUCP (Andrew Koenig) (07/16/85)

I heard one Coca-Cola exec quoted as saying something like:

	"Pre-planned trick?  Nah.  We're not that smart or that stupid."

custead@sask.UUCP (Der cuss) (07/18/85)

>> I think the phone # was a ploy.

I am sure that the phone number in Canada is a ploy.  AFTER
Coca-Cola U.S. announced that old coke was coming back,
Coca-Cola Canada said they would install a toll-free line
for 3 weeks to allow people to vote for the old coke.
If there was enough demand Canadians would get it too.
Sure, but you can only vote *for* the old coke, (the line
is just a recording).  so how many calls are enough?
however many they get, I bet.  After 3 weeks Coke can issue
a press release saying that so many thousand calls were
received, and that old coke is coming back, all of which
will be reported as news.  I suggest that this voting business
is pure marketing/ p.r., and that Coke has already decided
to market Classic Coke in Canada.

So there.

			- Canadian Coke Consumer