– **History[edit]**
– In 1886, John Stith Pemberton developed the original recipe for Coca-Cola.
– By 1888, control of the recipe was acquired by Asa Griggs Candler, who founded The Coca-Cola Company in 1896.
– In 1898, Caleb Bradham renamed his Brads Drink to Pepsi-Cola.
– The cola wars began in 1902 with the formation of the Pepsi-Cola Company.
– Market instability post-World War I led to Pepsi declaring bankruptcy in 1923.
– **Advertising Strategies[edit]**
– **Coca-Cola**
– Advertising focuses on wholesomeness and nostalgia.
– Features family-friendly content and cute characters like the polar bear mascot.
– Introduced New Coke in 1985 during the cola wars.
– Consumer backlash led to the return of the original formula as Coca-Cola Classic.
– The decision to replace the original flavor was controversial.
– **Pepsi**
– Relies on strategic sponsorships and online marketing.
– Utilizes patriotic branding with red, white, and blue colors.
– Introduced the Pepsi Challenge in 1975, comparing taste preferences.
– Launched Pepsi Stuff in the mid-1990s for consumer engagement.
– The Pepsi Challenge led to the creation of Diet Coke and New Coke.
– **Super Bowl LIII[edit]**
– Super Bowl LIII was played in Atlanta in 2019.
– Pepsi, a major NFL sponsor, had advertising tie-ins with the game.
– Coca-Cola and Pepsi both ran TV ads during the Super Bowl.
– Coca-Cola aired A Coke is a Coke, while Pepsi used Is Pepsi OK?.
– The game location sparked humorous slogans from Pepsi.
– **Comparison of Products[edit]**
– The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, and Keurig Dr Pepper are major soda producers.
– Brands from these companies often compete directly.
– The products are listed by type or flavor of drink.
– The cola wars have been a significant part of the industry.
– The rivalry between Coke and Pepsi has a long history of competition.
– **References**
– Kim Bhasin, Business Insider, 2013.
– The Drum, 1975.
– Coca-Cola History.
– Dawn.com, 2017.
– History.com, Becky Little.
– **Miscellaneous**
– The rivalry between Coke and Pepsi has been well-documented.
– The companies have a history of innovation and competition.
– The cola wars have influenced marketing strategies.
– Both Coca-Cola and Pepsi have iconic advertising campaigns.
– The Super Bowl has been a platform for their competitive marketing tactics.
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The Cola wars are the long-time rivalry between soft drink producers The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo, who have engaged in mutually-targeted marketing campaigns for the direct competition between each company's product lines, especially their flagship colas, Coca-Cola and Pepsi. Beginning in the late 1970s and into the 1980s, the competition escalated until it became known as the cola wars.