If they taste exactly the same, but Coke Zero is healthier, then why bother selling the original Coke? They've just created the exact same product, but with zero calories. That's product innovation! Coke is a genius! They've done the impossible! They've pretty much made the zero-emissions car of the beverage industry!
All sarcasm aside, I understand this is just a marketing ploy, but the message still bothers me. It's based on the assumption that there are people who actually like the extra calories and will buy the original Coke for that reason. The last time I checked, nobody ever liked these monstrosities called calories.
The obvious reason why original Coke still sells is because it tastes better (at least to those who buy it) than Coke Zero. Especially in 2008, where the majority of people can taste the difference between a diet drink slash zero calorie drink and its original, I truly think that the message of "It tastes the same" is totally obsolete. Our good friend Mountain Dew used a similar message back in the day, but that's when it was easier to convince people that it actually tasted the same.
The reality is clear. Zero calorie (or Diet) drinks taste different from their original. So someone should tell Coca-Cola Inc that being different is okay and Coke Zero is different. Embrace this diversity! Glorify the distinct taste of Coke Zero! Don't associate it with that terrible calorie-full monster called original Coke. I'm sure Robin enjoys Coke Zero because of its taste (and calorie-free feature) and not because it's a two-for-one deal.
Coke Zero tastes different from original Coke. Either that, or sugar never actually tasted like anything.
1 comment:
I agree that the ad you put up is basically a ploy to get consumers to believe that Coke Zero tastes exactly the same as original Coke. However, I understand why they want to convey that message. I think their reasons are three fold.
1. Generally speaking, anything diet doesn't taste as good as the original. Just think of all those diet versions of food products. That's a given. That's also one reason why Coke wants to say that both versions have the same taste.
2. Coke learned from its mistake. In 1985, they came out with New Coke and promoted a new and improved taste. That eventually completely bombed and Coke reinstated the classic Coke a few months later. They don't want Coke Zero to be the like the 1985 Coke fiasco where they promoted a better taste. It was one of Coke's biggest marketing foils. Therefore, they want to promote Coke Zero as having the exact same taste and nothing more.
3. Diet Coke has become Coke's flagship brand. However, the vast majority of Diet Coke drinkers are women. Coke recognized that no man (or at least very few), liked the idea of walking around with a can that says "Diet" on it. So Coke came out with Coke Zero and marketed it strictly towards men. Notice the word "Zero" as opposed to "Diet" is more "macho", where "diet" seems more dainty. Furthermore, the can is black, not silver. Coke simply wanted to created a product strictly targeted towards men. Robin is a good example.
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