1985: Coca-Cola feels consumer wrath with launch of "new Coke"
To celebrate the Ad Club of New York's 120th anniversary, The Drum is inviting readers to share their favorite marketing moments from the past 120 years.
New Coke
Today’s marketing moment was chosen by Phil Herr, senior vice president at Millward Brown. Below, see why the 1985 launch of 'new Coke' is his favorite marketing moment.
My favorite moment is ironically a negative one; the launch of New Coke in 1985.
The abysmal failure and subsequent retreat in fewer than six weeks was a seminal moment for marketers.
It signaled dramatically that consumers “owned” the brand. Coca-Cola may be the manager, but it was consumers who were in the driver’s seat.
More than any other event, it ushered in a new era of dialog between marketers and consumers.
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