Desperate things

April 1985; Coca-Cola makes a major announcement concerning a change in their product. Pepsi-Cola executives respond immediately, posting their company congratulatory letter as a full-page ad in The New York Times.

To All Pepsi Bottlers and
Pepsi-Cola Company Personnel:

It gives me great pleasure to offer each of you my heartiest
congratulations.

After 87 years of going at it eyeball to eyeball, the other guy blinked.

Coca-Cola is withdrawing their product from the marketplace and is
reformulating brand Coke to be "more like Pepsi." Too bad Ripley's not
around...he could have a field day with this one.

There is no question the long-term market success of Pepsi has forced
this move.

Everyone knows when something is right it doesn't need changing.

Maybe they finally realized what most of us have known for years.
Pepsi tastes better than Coke.

Well, people in trouble tend to do desperate things...and we'll have to
keep our eye on them.

But for now, I say victory is sweet, and we have earned a celebration.
We're going to declare a holiday on Friday.

Enjoy!

Best regards,

Roger Enrico
President, Chief Executive Officer
PepsiCola U.S.A.



Nearly three decades later, sales of carbonated soft drinks decline steadily as people opt for healthier beverages. Still, Coca-Cola continues to lead Pepsi-Cola in popularity.