Flavored colas from the world’s top two cola producers have been a trend for the past few years as both Pepsi and Coca-Cola have produced a number of alternate versions of their flagship drinks. Pepsi has announced their latest, although upon further review you would think that their competition should have thought of it first.
https://twitter.com/pepsi/status/1339586149275222018?s=20
The new Pepsi variation is described as being cocoa-flavored with a hint of marshmallow, a traditional flavor combination associated with winter. Pepsi says it will make a “batch” to be released in 2021 (“batch” implying that it – not unlike most of it’s other alternate offerings – will be a limited release).
The product’s name however shows an interesting marketing strategy by Pepsi as it bears a strong similarity to the name of their main competition. While branding this new drink as “Pepsi ‘Cocoa’ Cola” might be merely a fun jab at Coca-Cola, marketing experts may argue that as a company you should never remind the consumer that they have other options. In this case, the similarity in names certainly does that.
In any event, consumers will be able to try Pepsi’s cocoa-flavored cola sometime in the coming months. And who knows, maybe there will be a “Coca-Cola Cocoa Cola” in the future as well. You may be skeptical about the flavor profile but it sure would be fun to say.
[Ad Age] [Twitter: Pepsi]
