40 Years Ago: The Doomed ‘New Coke’ Experiment Comes to an End Read More: 40 Years Ago: The Doomed 'New Coke' Experiment Comes to an End

UltimateClassicRock ^

[Deaf Smith]

>>>still studied in marketing & branding

After a couple of years when Original Coke replaced New Coke, I more understood the previous scheme was a marketing scam to cover for a production change over.

Coca Cola prior to New Coke had white foam when poured or dispensed, from the use of cane sugar in production.

New Coke used corn syrup and marketing had to convince consumers that the Original Coke, then Classic Coca Cola replacing the failed New Coke was the real thing…is was not.

The bottlers for Coca Cola had already permanently changed manufacturing to use of corn syrup with it’s brown foam.

Meskin Coca Cola is their only original product and has white foam from cane sugar.

All a marketing scam to introduce corn syrup into production.

[Tijeras_Slim]

You got that right. Occasionally you can find cane sugar Dr. Pepper and Frostie Rootbeer.

[cva66snipe]

Sugar Cane soft drinks especially Coca Cola had a lot stronger kick to the taste. A lot better with peanuts in them also than corn syrup Coke.

[KStorm]

I couldn’t stand Coke back then, but I did like the new Coke.

[Hyman Roth]

Max Headroom was absolutely annoying

[Hyman Roth]

My nickname was eight ball in college. Oh wait wrong Coke thread.

[cowboyusa]

Bring back the Cane Sugar!

[GSWarrior]

I remember Bill Cosby was hired by new Coke as a celebrity spokesman.

Looking back, it’s likely the Cos had his own blend of new Coke for those special occasions.

[cowboyusa]

Mr. Pibb.🤣

[Mr. Blond]

I’m the guy in the corner at a house party meme...”They don’t know I’m a root beer guy.”

[Dr. Sivana]

Mid 70s. I dont even remember Diet Coke.

Of course, Diet Coke wasn't released until 1982 or so.

I think I read that Dr. Pepper has surpassed Pepsi in sales.

It certainly has more of a fountain presence, since McDonald's and Wendy's carry it instead of Mr. Pibb.

[Fish Speaker]

The whole thing was done to disguise the fact they swapped out sugar for high-fructose corn syrup ...

[Lil Flower]

>>> Mexican coke is the best.<<<

Agreed. That’s the only kind I’ll drink. That’s what it tasted like before New Coke. They didn’t go back to the original formula after that.

[ealgeone]

I’d swear of senior mgrs today must have read this case in business school as a “how to” guide......based on some of the idiotic decisions seen.

[T-Bird45]

“All a marketing scam to introduce corn syrup into production.”

I don’t know the current formulation used in Europe but I do know back in the 70s the usual sweetener in soft drinks was derived from sugar beets, not cane sugar. There were multiple acres planted to sugar beets because it was more cost-effective than importing cane sugar.

The common lament among those about to rotate back to the US was the anticipation of “real Coke”, round doorknobs (lever handles in EU), & plenty of ice in your soft drink cup at McDs.

[mowowie]

40 years ago today I was living it up as a recent high school grad.
Beautiful white 78 Camaro, super cool job, and a fun new gf.
New Coke was the last thing on my mind.
Wish I could go back.
Ahhh the summer of ‘85...

[packagingguy]

That’s because it’s what we drank back in the 70s and early 80s before the switch to high fructose corn syrup. I remember the switch when our high school science teacher told us about it. (1984)

[x]

40 years later. I guess it’s time for the Cola Wars’ survivors to start creeping back out of the jungle.

[Fledermaus]

Pibb still around?

[decal]

Called Pibb Xtra now.