The classic is gone. Or is about to be gone. The New Coke debacle occurred almost 25 years ago, but Coca-Cola has spent that entire time trying to ensure fans of bubbly sugar drinks know that the Coca-Cola on the shelves isn’t new, it’s classic. Hence the “Classic” moniker on all labels since the 80s. In an effort to streamline global branding the company is doing away with the “Classic.”
Don’t fret; nothing is changing but the branding. They’re not trying to sneak New Coke back onto the market. And for those who loved Coca-Cola’s redesign have nothing to fear yet. It’s just one little word being removed.
I was too young – 6 years old – at the time of New Coke’s release to understand the marketing whoops it became. But I do remember liking it enough. Certainly more than the Nutrasweet gumball that was sent out. These days I drink Diet Coke, but as a kid I was a Pepsi man. I preferred the taste. And it was the same for just about everyone who tried New Coke.
New Coke was a marketing mistake simply because even Coca-Cola underestimated the power of their brand. While the suits were struggling to come up with a way to keep Pepsi’s ever climbing market share from overtaking Coca-Cola they decided to discontinue the original when New Coke hit the market. This led to an outcry that far exceeded any problems Coca-Cola might have had with Pepsi or if they had let both of their sugary drinks flood the market.
We’ve come nearly a quarter of a century and Coca-Cola has reaped the benefits of that brand loyalty. Now they’ve decided the time is right to erase New Coke from the labels with the removal of the “Classic” tag.
