Diet Coke’s decision to launch a slate of new flavors had some critics wondering if the company was heading for another “New Coke” disaster.
But one executive says Coca-Cola has learned from past mistakes.
“We’ve learned that when you have a great thing, you don’t mess with it,” Rafael Acevedo, the company’s North America group director, told Cheddar, pointing out that, unlike with the 1985 marketing fiasco, the classic Diet Coke isn’t going anywhere.
What is changing is the packaging -- the company introduced slimmer cans -- and the flavor options. Ginger Lime, Feisty Cherry, Zesty Blood Orange, and Twisted Mango were added to the line up.
“We’re targeting spice seekers, and we want to target those people who are trying to look for bolder flavors and new experiences,” Acevedo said. “We saw that the sleek can actually connects with the new target as well, it makes the brand feel more premium and more modern. So all the research that we have is telling us that consumers absolutely love it.”
And Diet Coke certainly did its research. The company spent over two years working on this project and talked to about 10,000 consumers to figure out what would work.
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/diet-coke-refreshes-itself-for-2018).
Federal regulators are investigating Chevrolet Volt hybrid cars after some drivers reported issues including sudden power loss and failure to restart.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell weighed in on interest rates, some of Tesla's cybertrucks have been delivered, Apple and Paramount have reportedly discussed bundling their streaming services together and Panera Bread has reportedly filed to go public.
Accounting firm PWC is facing a $7 million fine from U.S. regulators.
Build-A-Bear Workshop has been one of the most recognizable and beloved toy brands in the world since opening in 1997. Sharon Price John, CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop, spoke with Cheddar News about its plans for the holiday season this year as well as the company's first animated feature film.
Pfizer will stop the development of its twice-daily weight loss pill due to adverse side effects.
Stocks were generally flat after the opening bell on Friday ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's comments in a speech at Spelman College later. Investors are growing optimistic that the central bank is done raising rates and may start cutting next year.
Holiday shopping on a budget.
The network of nearly 4,800 fake accounts was attempting to build an audience when it was identified and eliminated by the tech company, which owns Facebook and Instagram.
Tesla Beginning Cyber Truck Deliveries Today
Someone in China created thousands of fake social media accounts designed to appear to be from Americans and used them to spread polarizing political content in an apparent effort to divide the U.S. ahead of next year's elections, Meta said Thursday.
