25 Years Ago Today, Coca-Cola Announced It Was Changing Formulas to "New" Coke - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 04-23-2010, 01:00 AM

April 23rd, 1985: The Coca-Cola Company announced that it was changing its 99-year-old secret formula. New Coke was not successful, which resulted in the resumption of selling the original version.

Lennon · 04-23-2010, 01:06 AM

One of the worst mistakes they ever made. I'm so glad they changed back to the real coke, that new stuff tasted flat.

catlover79 · 04-23-2010, 12:48 PM

What do you guys think was the bigger marketing gaffe - New Coke or the Edsel? I personally think it's New Coke. Everyone I know who tried it HATED it!!!

ekkostar · 04-23-2010, 03:07 PM

I remember seeing cans of it as a toddler and wondering why everyone was going nuts over Coke vs Coke Classic.

MickeyMac · 04-23-2010, 03:38 PM

I dont remember any difference between the taste of the original and the new coke. Then again that was a while ago.

MickeyMac · 04-23-2010, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

What do you guys think was the bigger marketing gaffe - New Coke or the Edsel? I personally think it's New Coke. Everyone I know who tried it HATED it!!!

How about the clear pepsi?? Remember that???

I thought that tasted like alka saltzer( or however you spell it).

The Great One · 04-23-2010, 05:53 PM

I remember that fiasco!!! It definitely belongs in the Top 10 of marketing blunders!

Zoneboy · 04-23-2010, 05:59 PM

Crystal Pepsi was great and I wish they would bring it back. I have a 6 pack of unopened bottles but of course I don't intend to open them.

The biggest misconception about Crystal Pepsi is that some believe it was created to replace regular Pepsi, Not so.

Lee · 04-24-2010, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

April 23rd, 1985: The Coca-Cola Company announced that it was changing its 99-year-old secret formula. New Coke was not successful, which resulted in the resumption of selling the original version.

That day that this happened was called Black Tuesday

Lee · 04-24-2010, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

April 23rd, 1985: The Coca-Cola Company announced that it was changing its 99-year-old secret formula. New Coke was not successful, which resulted in the resumption of selling the original version.

Remember Bill Cosby attempting to sell the New Coke on television? I am
surprised that did not hurt The Cosby Show or his acting career.

Zoneboy · 04-24-2010, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee

Remember Bill Cosby attempting to sell the New Coke on television? I am
surprised that did not hurt The Cosby Show or his acting career.

Bill Cosby was already a TV icon when he did those commercials and The Cosby Show outlasted New Coke so why you're surprised that neither was hurt because of the commercial is beyond me. I've never known any celebrity's career to be damaged because of their endorsement of a product.

Dr. Thong · 04-24-2010, 06:14 PM

There's a theory (or urban myth) that the "New Coke" disaster was a planned thing. They would take regular Coke off the market, replace it with "New Coke" and when the outrage over the new sweeter taste reached a fever pitch, put regular Coke back on the market as "Coca Cola Classic," thus ensuring that Coca Cola would have two kinds of cola on the market and retain and possibly enhance their market dominance.

However, several have refuted this saying that the Coca Cola Company wasn't that bright and the reinstatement of Classic Coke was done out of panic when they overestimated the projected popularity of New Coke.

Still, an interesting theory nevertheless.

"New Coke" is now just a memory. 25 years ago?

catlover79 · 04-24-2010, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyMac

How about the clear pepsi?? Remember that???

I thought that tasted like alka saltzer( or however you spell it).

Never tried it - I'm not a Pepsi drinker.

Dr. Thong · 04-24-2010, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Never tried it - I'm not a Pepsi drinker.

catlover79 · 04-24-2010, 06:56 PM

Then again, I'm not a Coke drinker, either. Squirt and Dr. Pepper, that's more up my alley.

04-23-2010, 01:00 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	25 Years Ago Today, Coca-Cola Announced It Was Changing Formulas to "New" Coke April 23rd, 1985: The Coca-Cola Company announced that it was changing its 99-year-old secret formula. New Coke was not successful, which resulted in the resumption of selling the original version. Attached Images
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04-23-2010, 12:48 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	What do you guys think was the bigger marketing gaffe - New Coke or the Edsel? I personally think it's New Coke. Everyone I know who tried it HATED it!!!
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04-23-2010, 03:07 PM	#4
ekkostar Coffee, Tea & Larroquette! Senior Member Join Date: Apr 16, 2005 Posts: 1,077	I remember seeing cans of it as a toddler and wondering why everyone was going nuts over Coke vs Coke Classic.
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04-23-2010, 05:53 PM	#7
The Great One Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 29, 2006 Posts: 6,378	I remember that fiasco!!! It definitely belongs in the Top 10 of marketing blunders!
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04-23-2010, 05:59 PM	#8
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,433	Crystal Pepsi was great and I wish they would bring it back. I have a 6 pack of unopened bottles but of course I don't intend to open them. The biggest misconception about Crystal Pepsi is that some believe it was created to replace regular Pepsi, Not so.
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04-23-2010, 01:06 AM	#2
Lennon Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 23, 2010 Location: tn Posts: 116	One of the worst mistakes they ever made. I'm so glad they changed back to the real coke, that new stuff tasted flat.

04-23-2010, 03:38 PM	#5
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,008	I dont remember any difference between the taste of the original and the new coke. Then again that was a while ago.

04-24-2010, 06:14 PM	#12
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	There's a theory (or urban myth) that the "New Coke" disaster was a planned thing. They would take regular Coke off the market, replace it with "New Coke" and when the outrage over the new sweeter taste reached a fever pitch, put regular Coke back on the market as "Coca Cola Classic," thus ensuring that Coca Cola would have two kinds of cola on the market and retain and possibly enhance their market dominance. However, several have refuted this saying that the Coca Cola Company wasn't that bright and the reinstatement of Classic Coke was done out of panic when they overestimated the projected popularity of New Coke. Still, an interesting theory nevertheless. "New Coke" is now just a memory. 25 years ago?
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04-24-2010, 06:56 PM	#15
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Then again, I'm not a Coke drinker, either. Squirt and Dr. Pepper, that's more up my alley.