**History and Growth**:
– Pepsi was invented in 1893 as Brads Drink by Caleb Bradham in New Bern, North Carolina.
– Renamed Pepsi-Cola in 1898 with an original recipe including sugar and vanilla.
– In 1923, Pepsi-Cola Company went bankrupt and was purchased by Charles Guth.
– Pepsi introduced a 12-ounce bottle in 1934 during the Great Depression, boosting profits.
– Pepsis profits doubled from 1936 to 1938, with successful marketing campaigns like Nickel, Nickel.
– The success of Pepsi under Guth led to a legal battle with Loft Company over ownership.
– The slogan Pepsi-Cola Hits The Spot was popular from the 1930s to 1950s.
**Marketing and Innovations**:
– Pepsi-Cola Hits The Spot slogan and marketing campaigns with celebrities like Joan Crawford.
– Various Pepsi logos and designs evolved over the years, with the current globe logo revealed in March 2023.
– Innovative marketing campaigns like Pepsi Stuff were launched in 1996.
– Pepsi has been featured in films and faced marketing controversies like the Madonna campaign cancellation.
– The rivalry with Coca-Cola led to cultural and market competition, including the Pepsi Challenge taste tests.
**Global Presence and Market Strategies**:
– Pepsi is the second most valuable soft drink brand worldwide as of 2023.
– Pepsi has a long-standing rivalry with Coca-Cola known as the cola wars.
– Pepsi’s marketing strategies and sponsorships in sports and entertainment have boosted its global presence.
– The company has ventured into international markets with notable successes.
– Pepsi continues to innovate in product variations and marketing strategies to maintain its global presence.
**Regional Sales and Dominance**:
– Coca-Cola outsells Pepsi globally, but Pepsi dominates in regions like central Appalachia, Montana, and North Dakota.
– In Buffalo, New York, Pepsi outsells Coca-Cola by a two-to-one margin.
– Pepsi holds dominance in French-Canadian regions like Quebec and ranks third in India with a 15% market share.
– Pepsi has a significant market presence in regions like Russia, Romania, and Israel.
– In India, Pepsi holds an 8.8% market share and has a history of competition with Coca-Cola.
**Market Presence in Specific Countries**:
– Pepsi entered India in 1988 and gained market share, competing with Coca-Cola.
– In Russia, Pepsi initially had a larger market share than Coke due to a barter agreement with the Soviet Union.
– Pepsi introduced in Romania in 1966 and maintained popularity over Coca-Cola.
– Pepsi entered Israel in 1991 after speculation about political reasons for the delayed expansion.
– The Pepsiman mascot was created in the mid-1990s by the Japanese corporate branch.
Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink with a cola flavor, manufactured by PepsiCo. As of 2023, Pepsi is the second most valuable soft drink brand worldwide behind Coca-Cola; the two share a long-standing rivalry in what has been called the "cola wars".
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| Type | Cola |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | PepsiCo |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Region of origin | New Bern, North Carolina |
| Introduced | 1893 (as Brad's Drink) 1898 (as Pepsi-Cola) 1961 (as Pepsi) |
| Color | Caramel E-150d |
| Variants | Diet Pepsi Pepsi Twist Pepsi Lime Pepsi Wild Cherry Crystal Pepsi Caffeine-Free Pepsi Pepsi-Cola Made with Real Sugar Pepsi Vanilla Pepsi Zero Sugar Pepsi Max Nitro Pepsi |
| Related products | |
| Website | www |
Pepsi, originally created in 1893 by Caleb Bradham and named "Brad's Drink," was first sold in his drugstore in New Bern, North Carolina. Renamed Pepsi-Cola in 1898 due to its supposed digestive benefits, it was shortened to Pepsi in 1961. The beverage's formula initially included sugar and vanilla but not pepsin, despite speculation on the origin of its name. Early on, Pepsi struggled with financial stability, going bankrupt in 1923 but was subsequently purchased and revived by Charles Guth, who reformulated the syrup. Pepsi gained popularity with the introduction of a 12-ounce bottle during the Great Depression and clever marketing strategies like the "Nickel, Nickel" jingle, doubling sales by emphasizing its value.
The mid-20th century saw Pepsi targeting the African American market, a then-untapped demographic, with positive portrayals and endorsements from prominent figures, boosting its market share. Despite occasional controversies, such as an aborted Madonna advertisement and the "Pepsi Number Fever" fiasco in the Philippines, Pepsi has remained a prominent global brand, partly thanks to innovative marketing campaigns and sponsorships in sports and entertainment.
Pepsi's rivalry with Coca-Cola, highlighted by the "cola wars", led to significant cultural and market competition, including the "Pepsi Challenge" taste tests and the introduction of New Coke in response. Pepsi's expansion into international markets has seen varied success, with notable ventures into the Soviet Union via a landmark barter deal and enduring popularity in certain regions over Coca-Cola. As of the early 21st century, Pepsi continues to innovate, both in product variations and marketing strategies, while maintaining a significant presence in the global soft drink industry.