[Publius Valerius]

What always gets overlooked with New Coke is that New Coke beat “old” Coke in taste tests, which is the main reason that Coke rolled it out. Coke just didn’t expect the backlash that would come from changing what was considered a classic.

Can’t really fault Coke for consumers behaving irrationally. It’s hard to see that type of thing coming.

[Enchante]

maybe instead of “replacing” the classic Coca-Cola they should have introduced “New Coke” as an additional product line

I know, big obstacles to supporting both in the market place and in vending machines, soda machines etc. with a limited number of slots for product.....

I don’t think I ever tasted “New Coke” b/c I had no interest in cola drinks in the ‘80s.... although in recent years I do sometimes drink a cola and I DO prefer the taste of Coke to Pepsi! ha ..... but maybe I would like “New Coke” better still on a blind taste test.

[the OlLine Rebel]

“It’s hard to see that type of thing coming.”

No it’s not. It’s an institution and had been for 90 years.

[tanknetter]

What always gets overlooked with New Coke is that New Coke beat “old” Coke in taste tests, which is the main reason that Coke rolled it out. Coke just didn’t expect the backlash that would come from changing what was considered a classic.

Yup, intrinsic vs. extrinsic value.

Because New Coke as a Coca-Cola replacement (as opposed to a new drink that would complement Coca-Cola) was kept secret, the Coca-Cola marketing folks could only ask about reactions to the taste ... not about the entire concept of changing an American Institution (TM). If they had been able to ask the more important question (what do you think about Coke changing its formula) they would have noticed the likely fallout immediately.