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Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 08-08-2003, 12:14 PM:
 
From:
http://money.cnn.com/2003/08/07/news/companies/pepsi_vanilla/index.htm

Joy of (Vanilla) Pepsi?

Coke holds the bragging rights, but Pepsi's upping the ante in the cola war with new Pepsi Vanilla.
August 8, 2003: 11:17 AM EDT
By Parija Bhatnagar, CNN/Money Staff Writer


NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - To some it's just "plain vanilla." But Coca-Cola and Pepsi see it a little differently, more like a multimillion-dollar flavor battle that's about to get tastier.

New York-based PepsiCo (PEP: Research, Estimates), the No. 2 soft-drink maker behind leader Coca-Cola (KO: Research, Estimates), is launching Pepsi Vanilla and its diet version in stores across the country this weekend.

In this instance, industry watchers say Pepsi has its work cut out for the new brand.

Coke came out with Vanilla Coke in May 2002 and it was a resounding success, selling 90 million cases, according to trade publication Beverage Digest.

In fact, Coke's flavored soft drink has been purchased by about 29 percent of U.S. households, the strongest one-year trial rate among recent carbonated soft drink introductions, according to market research firm AC Nielsen.


Pepsi Vanilla and Diet Pepsi Vanilla debut Saturday. (Courtesy:PepsiCo.)
"The vanilla colas are an important line extension for both companies, and Pepsi has the distribution capabilities to support a new brand" said Todd Stender, analyst with Crowell, Weedon & Co.

"There's definitely room for Pepsi in the vanilla sub-segment, even if Pepsi Vanilla may not be as good as Vanilla Coke," Stender added.

Pepsi begs to differ.

"We're doing vanilla our way," said Dave DeCecco, spokesman for PepsiCo North America. "If consumers want Pepsi Vanilla, they can have it now, and we want a share of the market."

And DeCecco insists Pepsi Vanilla's taste will be unique.

"In our market research, consumers told us that they wanted a vanilla soda that was lighter and smoother that what is currently on the market," DeCecco said.

No matter how hot the battle gets between the two arch rivals, Coke won't be sweating it too much.

Atlanta-based Coca-Cola, the world's largest beverage maker, is still comfortably perched in its slot as the U.S. market leader.

In fact, the company increased its market share of the $63 billion U.S. soft-drinks market by 0.6 percentage point to 44.3 percent in 2002, according to Beverage Digest. Meanwhile, PepsiCo saw its market share dip by 0.2 percentage point to 31.4 percent.

Industry analysts credit Vanilla Coke's launch last year as a huge success for Coke, similar to Pepsi's breakthrough in 2001 with Mountain Dew Code Red, a cherry-flavored variation of the drink.

"We're a little surprised that Pepsi decided to enter the vanilla segment," said Mart Martin, spokesman for Coca-Cola. "When we came out with Vanilla Coke, Pepsi originally said the idea sounded 'a bit vanilla.' But, whatever."

Pepsi, Coke both losing their fizz
According to Beverage Digest editor John Sicher, Coke and Pepsi can keep taking potshots at each other, but that won't detract from the real concern: The soft-drinks market is slowing down.

"Soft-drinks sales have declined from annual rates of growth of 3 percent in the 1990s to less than 1 percent," said Sicher. "That has largely to do with the growth of bottled water, which is growing at 26 percent a year."


Vanilla Coke a strong favorite with consumers. (Courtesy: Coca-Cola)
For the second quarter, Coke's U.S. volume grew 3 percent, driven by strong sales for Vanilla Coke, Diet Vanilla Coke and Sprite, Coke said in its earnings report.

Pepsi's North America volume grew 4 percent for the quarter, led by a better performance from its Mountain Dew and Diet Pepsi brands, although its trademark Pepsi brand disappointed.

Said Sicher, "At this juncture, innovation is critical, and it needs to include new beverages, new packaging and new marketing. Vanilla Coke added incremental volume for Coke, and I think it will do the same for Pepsi. Pepsi is a huge brand name, and a new product will generate a lot of interest."

The Pepsi Vanilla ad campaign is coming, and DeCecco said consumers should watch out. "The ads kick off mid-August, and they will reflect the fact that Pepsi Vanilla is fun."

DeCesso isn't saying whether the company will hire a new pop star as spokesperson for the brand, but it's a possibility. "I can't comment on that. You'll just have to wait." he said.

Previous stars who've appeared in Pepsi ads include singers Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Britney Spears. Pepsi last year replaced Spears with Beyonce Knowles, lead singer of pop group Destiny's Child, as its latest celebrity endorser.

-What do you guys think?

Thanks, Andrew
 

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Posted by John Spooner (Member # 1565) on 08-08-2003, 01:52 PM:
 
Dear Andrew.
Typical of multi-billion dollar corporations.
We also have vanilla coke in Oz, the taste is interesting.
As a matter of interest, how many people actually read the ingredients in Coke? One of them is phosphoric acid, a delightful substance used commercially as a rust remover/converter.
At least all the coke drinkers will have rust free digestive systems!
Are you planning on opening your own cinema? Maybe you could let me know the results so far and post progress reports.
Best regards from down under. John Spooner.
 

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Posted by Michael Brown (Member # 890) on 08-08-2003, 02:19 PM:
 
In a blind taste test how many people can tell the difference between Coke and Pepsi?

In a blind taste test how may people will be able to taste the difference between Vanilla Coke and Vanilla Pepsi.

pfff it's all the same.
 

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Posted by Ian Price (Member # 14) on 08-08-2003, 02:20 PM:
 
At our theatre we offer all the Torani syrups so you can have your Coke anyway you want it. Lemon/Amaretto anyone?

I note that Cherry runs out the fastest.

Our popular flavors are:

Cherry
Strawberry
Raspberry
Vanilla
Almond

Our less popular flavors: less popular as in, why the hell do we have these flavors anyway?

Irish Cream
Caramel
Amaretto
Chocolate Mint
Banana
Hazelnut

What I wouldn’t like to do is have to order all kinds of different bag in the box flavors of sodas and have them sit around forever.

“Hi, welcome to the Rialto Cinemas Lakeside. Would you like a Vanilla Coke, Tab, Sprite Remix, Pibb Extra, Nestea COOL, Nestea, Minute Made Soda, Minute Made Punch, Minute Made Lemonade, Mello Yellow, Mad River, Hi-C, Seagram’s Ginger Ale (Sadly not offered in a bag in box, I checked.), Fruitopia, Fresca, Fanta, Diet Vanilla Coke, Diet Sprite, Diet Coke with Lemon, Diet Cherry Coke, Diet Barq’s, Barq’s Root Beer, Dasani Nutriwater, Cherry Coke, Caffeine-Free Diet Coke, Sprite, Diet Coke, Caffeine-Free Diet Coke Classic or just a Coca-Cola?”

Guest: “Uh, could you repeat all that again?”

 

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Posted by Michael Brown (Member # 890) on 08-08-2003, 02:23 PM:
 
I wonder if Beef Coke or Chicken Coke would sell well?
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 08-08-2003, 03:04 PM:
 

quote:

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In a blind taste test how many people can tell the difference between Coke and Pepsi?

pfff it's all the same.

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Bite your tongue! You must not have functioning tastebuds if you don't notice the huge difference between Coke and Pepsi. Pepsi is just
 

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Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 08-08-2003, 03:06 PM:
 
Coke and Pepsi are not the same!! I bet I could guess them correctly 100 times out of 100 tries.

Regular Pepsi: Bad
Regular (Classic) Coke: Good

Diet Pepsi: Good
Diet Coke: Undrinkable


 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 08-08-2003, 04:32 PM:
 
Huge difference between Coke and Pepsi. Pepsi is incredibly sweet... way too sweet. Both Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi are alright... there are still differences though, with diet Pepsi being sweeter.
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 08-08-2003, 04:37 PM:
 
I think it's funny the way they can't come up with "new" kinds of pop anymore....they just call it "_____ Coke" or "Pepsi ____".

I don't even know how many kinds of Coke there are anymore.

By the way, you guys are nuts...Pepsi is better. (I figured SOMEBODY had to stand up for Pepsi at some point!)
 

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Posted by Ian Price (Member # 14) on 08-08-2003, 04:55 PM:
 

quote:

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I don't even know how many kinds of Coke there are anymore.

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Mike, the answer is 9.
 

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Posted by William T. Parr (Member # 677) on 08-08-2003, 06:23 PM:
 
First of all I just like to say Welcome Back Andrew. This is intresting news as I tendto like Pepsi more than Coke. I could not stand the Vanilla Coke. Wonder how bad the Pepsi version will be. I much prefer the Wild Cherry Pepsi over the Cherry Coke. The R/C Cola Cherry is the best tasting Cherry flavored drink I have had IMHO. And Brad is right there is a very huge difference between the taste of Pepsi and Coke.
 

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Posted by Ron Lacheur (Member # 1126) on 08-08-2003, 08:27 PM:
 
Welcome back Andrew.
 

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Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 08-08-2003, 10:38 PM:
 
Not only does Coke taste better than Pepsi, it is simply the correct thing to drink.

Pepsi Cola is simply "wrong".
 

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Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 08-08-2003, 10:55 PM:
 
I much prefer Pepsi !!

Pepsi tastes better, they do Cherry cola better and they have a much wider selection (Dr. Pepper, Pepsi Blue)...

However, I found Pepsi Blue only tolerable!

I can't wait for this to crawl to Canada!

Any of you ever tried Jolt?
 

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Posted by Richard C. Wolfe (Member # 431) on 08-08-2003, 11:44 PM:
 
I still prefer Moxie.
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 08-08-2003, 11:56 PM:
 

quote:

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Any of you ever tried Jolt?

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Jolt rules! I wish they made that in BIBs. I would pull Pepsi out of my machine and load up Jolt in it's place.
 

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Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 08-09-2003, 12:26 AM:
 
They probably don't make Jolt in BIBs because it will eat through the plastic!
 

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Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 08-09-2003, 12:43 AM:
 
Ian, why the hell do you have Irish Cream, Caramel, Amaretto, Chocolate Mint, Banana and Hazelnut? Are you crazy?

quote:

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I would pull Pepsi out of my machine and load up Jolt in it's place.

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quote:

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Ian, why the hell do you have Irish Cream, Caramel, Amaretto, Chocolate Mint, Banana and Hazelnut? Are you crazy?

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I'm guessing he also has an espresso bar at the theatre, at least I hope so!

Too many flavors of sodas out there IMO. Remember "clear pepsi"? Is that still around?

I say screw the soft drinks, put more bars in the theatres! I want a cocktail with my film!

Danny
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 08-09-2003, 04:15 AM:
 
So Daryl what you are saying is that if you come to Dallas to visit I have to run over to the Pepsi plant and get another BIB of Pepsi? I don't know why, but I have this strange feeling that my box (yes, "my" as in "one" or "first" or "only") that is on the machine might not be too fresh.

The Coke, lemonade, root beer, Dr.Pepper on the other hand get changed out regularly. Given the choice, no one ever chooses Pepsi.
 

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Posted by Steve Anderson (Member # 364) on 08-09-2003, 07:36 AM:
 
Jolt Cola is good!
Somtimes for a change I drink RC Cola.
Also in the south we have an old standby Double Cola.
 

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Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 08-09-2003, 08:55 AM:
 

quote:

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Steve Anderson: Somtimes for a change I drink RC Cola.

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Don't forget the Moon Pies! Gotta' have a Moon Pie with that RC!
Concession stands ought to sell Moon Pies!


 

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Posted by Martin Brooks (Member # 1269) on 08-09-2003, 04:27 PM:
 
Back about 1995 or so, RC came out with Royal Crown Premium Cola that was manufactured with real cocoa beans and used cane sugar instead of corn syrup. The stuff was phenomenal! It tasted so rich, it almost had a chocolate flavor. And it also properly only came in glass bottles, which tastes much better than soda packed in cans or plastic. But it was expensive and it failed in the marketplace.
 

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Posted by William T. Parr (Member # 677) on 08-09-2003, 08:18 PM:
 
Randy Stankey Said:

quote:

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Don't forget the Moon Pies!

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quote:

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So Daryl what you are saying is that if you come to Dallas to visit I have to run over to the Pepsi plant and get another BIB of Pepsi?

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In a word, yes.
 

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Posted by Travis Hubrig (Member # 1745) on 08-10-2003, 04:01 PM:
 
Dan,

'Crystal Pepsi' doesn't get made anymore. I wish it did.
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 08-10-2003, 04:03 PM:
 
Hmmmm, how about a 24 pack of cans? I'd hate to see another BIB of Pepsi just sit there, that is unless you drink a LOT of Pepsi with your nacho chips.
 

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Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 08-10-2003, 06:59 PM:
 


Brad, I take it when you say "BIB", you are referring to that little cloth that one wears under their neck to wipe-up the BARF after drinking Pepsi...

>>> Phil
 

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Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 08-10-2003, 07:34 PM:
 
BIB = "Bag-In-Box".

It's a food-grade plastic bladder filled with concentrated Coca Cola (or other brand) syrup. The bag is placed inside a cardboard box for protection and easy transport.

A suction hose of sorts is hooked up to a "nipple" on the BIB and the concentrate is drawn out. It is dispensed in measured amounts and mixed with carbonated water right at the spout every time a cup of Coke is poured.

It's about as close as modern technology can get to the "true" method of dispensing Coca Cola that was devised by Doc Pemburton, way back when it was invented.
 

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Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 08-10-2003, 07:38 PM:
 
Ummm... I think most of us know that .....my post was a Pepsi joke-slam...shall I go back and ad some smileys?

>>> Phil
 

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Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 08-10-2003, 08:07 PM:
 
I think Pepsi tastes more like a lot of the other "generic" colas like RC or even that cheap Wal-Mart "Sam's Choice" branded fluid. I don't care for Pepsi since it does indeed taste too sweet. On top of that it has a wierd metallic flavor to it as well. OTOH, of the diet drinks I like Diet Pepsi more than Diet Coke.

quote:

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Bite your tongue! You must not have functioning tastebuds if you don't notice the huge difference between Coke and Pepsi.

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There is a giant difference. But maybe the people who cannot tell the difference are the same as those people who cannot tell the difference between something shot on film versus videotape. Perhaps people had trouble telling the "new Coke" apart from Pepsi back in the 1980's. I was relieved when the "real" Coke was restored at "Coca Cola Classic."

The Coke / Pepsi thing reminds me of a common conversation heard at restaurants (at least in Oklahoma and Texas):

Waiter: "What would you like to drink?"
Customer: "Coke."
Waiter: "We don't have Coke. Would you like a Pepsi?"
Customer: "Do you have Dr. Pepper?"
Waiter: "Yes."
Customer: "Then I'll have that."

If you want to really confuse them, order a "Dr. Pepsi".
 

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Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 08-10-2003, 11:30 PM:
 
Actually Brad, I don't really like American Pepsi that much. Although a few trays of 2 litre (65oz maybe) bottles would suffice.
 

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Posted by Barry Floyd (Member # 385) on 08-11-2003, 01:35 PM:
 
What's the difference between Coke and Pepsi???

The Coca Cola rep. actually returns phone calls, makes site visits, gave us "national pricing" for BIB, supplies all of the equipment for free, gave us tons of signage, two menu boards, rolling stock (including the ultra-cool Coca Cola NASCAR at the drive-in trailer), a bottled water and juice cooler free,etc.

Whereas the Pepsi chick doesn't even bother to return your phone calls.

Needddless to say... the new Stardust Drive-In Theatre is a Coke house all the way!!!
 

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