Tag: pop

Happy 25th Birthday Diet Coke!

Twenty five years ago today, Diet Coke was introduced to the world at Radio City Music Hall in New York. Just four years later, it became the #1 low-calorie sparkling beverage in the world, a title it continues to hold to this day.

I am definitely a fan of Diet Coke. I have been drinking mostly Coke Zero lately, but I enjoy a Diet Coke every now and then. It has a very distinct taste that I think is fairly divisive: either you like it or you don’t.

Diet Coke is about more than beverages however:

“Since its launch, Diet Coke has been synonymous with stylish sophistication,” said Katie Bayne, chief marketing officer, Coca-Cola North America. “Through the years, Diet Coke marketing and advertising has reflected and embraced pop culture, and the brand has become a global icon that embodies great cola taste with an undeniable sense of style.”

Ah yes, pop culture. Numerous celebrities have endorsed Diet Coke, and the drink itself has become something of a celebrity recently – along with its good friend Mentos, that is. Oh by the way, if you like the image I included in this post (and who doesn’t) then check out the video.

If you have some time to waste, check out the Wikipedia entry for Diet Coke. I had no idea there were so many sub-brands, for instance. Lots of interesting information.

I still haven’t seen Diet Coke Plus anywhere, but I’d like to give it a try. Hopefully it shows up in Edmonton soon. Oh and Cherry Coke Zero too.

Happy Birthday Diet Coke!

Read: Coca-Cola

Warnings on soft drinks?

Post ImageYou’ve got to be kidding me:

An organization that lobbies for increased regulation of the food and drug industries called on Wednesday for cigarette-style warnings on soft drinks to alert consumers that too much of the beverages can cause obesity and other health problems.

I’ll admit that people generally don’t think of pop (or soda for the Americans reading) when they think of what causes obesity, but get real. A warning label? Yeah, because that’s really going to make me think twice about buying my weekly case of Coke. I saw Super Size Me and I still drink Coke when I order McDonalds. Maybe it’s just me?

Read: New York Times

Coca-Cola Zero

For all my fellow Coke addicts, a new no-calorie version is coming soon, called Coca-Cola Zero:

The drink will be sweetened partly with a blend of aspartame and acesulfame potassium. Aspartame is a key ingredient in Diet Coke, but a spokesman for the Atlanta-based company said Coca-Cola Zero will have a unique taste.

The new drink will debut in the United States in June, and hopefully not too long after that in Canada. The can looks pretty sweet, I must say. Of course I want to try it, if for no other reason than because it’s a Coke product. But makes me wonder happened to Coke C2? Failure? Sure doesn’t seem relevant anymore.

Want to know what the coolest part about Coca-Cola Zero is? The marketing campaign is slick! According to the official site, the company will be auctioning off “a special Coca-Cola Zero sample pack” on eBay sometime in April, with all proceeds being donated to charity. Regardless of how neat that idea is, the press release makes me laugh:

The auction marks the first time The Coca-Cola Company has offered any new product on eBay prior to launching it nationally.

You don’t say! I don’t know ANYONE who has bought Coke on eBay, probably because it’s a dumb place to buy it. I can’t believe they had to point that out!

Read: MSNBC and Press Release