Archive: Introducing New Coke!


Thirty years ago, the Coca-Cola Company introduced New Coke, replacing the formula of its flagship soft drink.

Here are some things you may not have known about the New Coke fiasco.

One: In 1983, Pepsi-Cola had begun to outsell Coca-Cola in grocery stores. Coke believed that this was due to younger drinkers preferring the sweeter taste of Pepsi. They also believed, rightly, that diet drinks would become more popular due to baby boomers becoming more health conscious.

Two: The New Coke recipe was a slightly rebalanced version of the Diet Coke formula with high-fructose corn syrup instead of artificial sweeteners.

Three: After realizing the error of their ways, Coca-Cola executives reintroduced the original recipe as “Coca-Cola Classic” three months after introducing New Coke. Sales of Coca-Cola Classic soon passed New Coke and Pepsi. New Coke was renamed Coke II, and discontinued in 2002. In 2009, the company removed the word “Classic” from its North American products.

Our question: What spokesman did Coca-Cola use to promote New Coke after reintroducing Coca-Cola Classic?

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