Disastrous New Coke makes a comeback after 34 years

nivek

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Disastrous New Coke makes a comeback after 34 years: Coca-Cola to release half a million cans of failed 1985 recipe to coincide with Stranger Things plot-line

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New Coke, the soft drink revamp that caused a nationwide revolt 34 years ago is back with a vengeance, and the thanks – or blame – is owed entirely to Netflix.

Coca-Cola drinkers will be given the chance to try the vintage beverage once more as part of a promotional campaign between the drinks company and Netflix, ahead of the upcoming third season of Stranger Things.

The new season of the blockbuster series will take place in the summer of 1985, the same summer when Coke infamously tried change its original formula but was met with widespread backlash from angry consumers.

Reaction to the so-called ‘sweeter’ and ‘smoother’ version of the drink saw sales figures plummet and the company received thousands of angry letters and phone calls to its Atlanta head office, demanding they revert the recipe back to a more familiar taste.

Pulled from the shelves after just 79 days, New Coke has since been considered one of the biggest marketing blunders of all time.

But 34 years on, the brains behind the drink’s ironic 2019 relaunch are hoping the product will help to stir nostalgia among its consumers this time around, rather than resentment.

‘When Netflix told us Season 3 was going to be set in the summer of 1985 — with the tagline that “one summer could change everything” — that rang so true for us,’ said Oana Vlad, director of Coca-Cola North America.

‘The summer of 1985 did in fact change everything for us with the introduction of New Coke, which was also arguably one of the biggest pop culture moments of that year.’

Workers had to retrieve the New Coke recipe from the safe for the Stranger Things partnership.

They also had to recreate the logo and original coloring of the first New Coke cans from over three decades ago.

The project was considered top secret and took more than six months to complete.

Beginning Thursday, Coca-Cola will release a 500,000 cans of of the disfavored drink as part of a Stranger Things promotional package.

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nivek

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