The Conquistador's Picture Of The Day

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They said I couldn't take another one out for a test drive...

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Today from WXYZ 7 in Detroit:

(CNN) -- Coca-Cola is hoping a failed product from the 1980s will help it go viral in 2019.

The company is bringing back a limited number of New Coke cans in honor of the upcoming third season of "Stranger Things," in which the product is featured.

"Stranger Things" creators Ross and Matt Duffers came up with the idea to bring New Coke back as a way to promote the show, which will start streaming on Netflix on July 4. The third season of the show takes place during the summer of 1985 — when Coca-Cola debuted a new recipe for its iconic beverage.

So-called New Coke was a flop: Consumers reacted so poorly to the new drink that Coca-Cola pulled it from shelves after a few months. New Coke was rebranded as Coke II, and sold in some places after 1985. But this is the first time Coca-Cola is bringing back New Coke with that branding.

In my MBA marketing class we each had to research infamous product “failures.” I was assigned “New Coke.” In the early to mid 80’s they were facing major competition from Pepsi. The big thing back then were so called “taste tests.” Research had indicated that consumers preferred a “sweeter” drink like Pepsi. After its debut in 1985, Coca Cola pulled the original version. Consumers reacted and hoarded the “old” coke. Psychologically the idea of it being “gone forever” drove demand for the original formula. Eventually Coca Cola backtracked and re-released the old formula as “Coke Classic.” The “new” formula was sold into the 90’s as “Coke II.” Today what you buy at the store as “Coke” is essentially the original formula.

Many people at the time including some marketing experts thought CocaCola had done this intentionally to revive interest in their product. I came to the conclusion that it had been a “major fuckup” (yes I put that in my paper). CocaCola’s research was faulty and they failed to take into account the psychological aspects of this decision. Either way it cost CocaCola millions. Very risky and expensive marketing strategy if that was the intent. But the controversy did revive interest and increase sales. So… over 30 years later, the debate goes on.

Starting in the early 90's, “New” Coke was re-branded “Coke II.” I have tried “Coke II.” It was “different” somehow. Not bad. But not earth shaking either. Just OK. I usually drank Pepsi as a kid. In high-school and college I used to consume SoBe “Lizard Lightning” regularly. This, caffeine, testosterone, and lots and lots of vitamin supplements worked for football. Now we have many more and better healthier choices available to us. When I do drink Coke it is the so-called “Mexican Coke" made with real sugar.

I am too young to remember this commercial but given what we know today I’m not sure it helped… The first thing I'm thinking is "OMG! He's putting something in her drink." In 1985, here’s what Mr. Cosby had to say about New Coke:

"Attention Pepsi drinkers, introducing the new taste of Coca-Cola, the best Coca-Cola ever. That's all I'm going to say, in fact that's all I have to say. No more words."

- Bill Cosby

I'm not sure exactly how Bill Cosby appealed to younger consumers. My favorite commercials however featured “Max Headroom” a character from a TV show of the late 80’s. This guy I DO remember.


The best comment I could find regarding “Coke II” was “Ew! Gross…”


(I realized I kept typing “New Cock.” Subliminal? Or just poor typing? )

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Of course using celebrities and sports heroes has always been effective at reaching younger consumers. MJ was perhaps my #1 hero growing up. Now if he said "Coke is the Real Thing" then I'd drink it... So I did.

Same for Gatorade... Every guy my age wanted to "Be Like Mike."

But Pepsi fought dirty. This is Cindy Crawford from her famous 1992 commercial.

(If Hayley Williams advertised anything today you know I'd buy it. )

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Just one more “quickie” and I’m done. This is an original can from 1985, still unopened, of “New Coke.” Notice the old style “pull tab”?

The final point I made in my graduate marketing paper was that to succeed the product (“New Coke”) had to be unquestionably superior to Pepsi or any other soft drink of the time. It had to be awesome. Like the greatest tasting soft drink ever. Today we would say “GOAT!”

It wasn’t…

(If you are wondering what this is all about, see my two posts above.)

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Didn’t think I could surpass the 1978 “OctaPlus” set I posted a few months ago. But…

From a Ludwig catalog. From 1982. I counted 20 drums. Did I miss any? Wonder what this would cost today? More than my “ZR-1”? A year’s salary? I’m sure more than the diesel “dually’s” we are looking at.

As you may know from other posts, I grew up listening to Metal in all forms. Double Bass is almost mandatory for that style of music. Been to see some of the biggest names ever. Have never seen anything close to this monster on stage. Not even Neil Peart or Mike Portnoy. What would you even transport it in? It would need its own truck. God, I’d hate to be the “drum tech.”

Ludwig was the brand of drums I ended up with after my parents “caved” and let me take drum lessons after seeing “Wayne’s World.” I was nine. My dad and I found a beat up old black Ludwig kit that looked like it had been on one tour too many. And it had two bass drums! I think he gave the guy like $200 cash. Too bad I don’t still have it. Sounded like crap and falling apart but we put those “blue” oil heads on it and for about 3 or 4 years I really got into it.

Eventually my mom won out having had to put up with all the noise and pounding coming from our basement. So we (she) got rid of it one day. I was into sports by then, especially football, where I really did show some promise. Also, my parents wanted me to go on to college someday (football or not) and thought music was a “bad influence” and would “hurt my grades” or that I would “do drugs” (probably just the stuff I listened to… ).

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If I’m going to seriously take up drums again. I might as well form a band. Trying to get inspiration for it. Unfortunately most of these album covers haven’t helped any.

Are they a “KISS” ripoff? What are they exactly? Don’t wanna know…

No, just No…

Well, I probably could “steal his style.” But why?

I’m sure if Hayley Williams comes to our first concert, she’ll want us to open for Paramore.

This sold a million copies because why? Oh that’s right, it didn’t’… Bizarre AF.

The only “real” group here. Very successful in the 50’s and 60’s, The Ventures were best known for the “Theme From Hawaii 5-0.” This album is from 1965. Considered “Surf Music” by many they were very much ahead of their time. I think they’re cool even today. And the girl is hot. Wonder who she is?