July 07, 2006
They Took The High Road
I heard on the radio yesterday about the executive assistant at Coke stealin' confidential documents and then, working with a couple of ex cons, trying to sell them to Pepsi.
My reaction? WTF?!? Then, I will admit, I laughed. A lot.
As soon as I could get on line, I read the article. Details! I needed details!!!
Now, having worked for PepsiCo I have first hand knowledge of just how bitter the battle is between these two companies. We didn't drink Coke. Ever. And we made sure, no matter where we were, that it was well known.
Go out to eat? You always asked, even if you knew the answer, for a Pepsi product. If they said they only carried Coke tell them it was NOT ok and order water. Always.
There's a legend I've heard about a high level Pepsi exec. that always carried her own soda with her. And would proudly display the can on the table of where ever she was eating. Either that or she would ask that someone at the resturant go and GET her a Pepsi. Don't know if it's true or not, but I believe it. Seriously.
Me? I worked at the street level. (Damn - I gotta find a better way to phrase that!) And at that level it's war. Pure and simple. I can't really blog about what all I did - but trust me when I say, the Coke drivers in certain Tampa/St Pete locations knew me, my car, and well.......it got ugly at times.
It's all about the market share. ALL ABOUT THE MARKET SHARE. From new reciepes to new packaging. Think about it. Any size and shape you can think of. And there is only so much they can do that's new and improved. That's why there's soda, water, sports drinks, energy drinks and orange juice. Head to head. In every venue. It's ALL about the market share. Whatever will catch your attention, spark your interest, capture your imagination....
So this was huge news. Something NEW. A new receipe! And I will tell you I am proud as hell that PepsiCo called the Feds on this one. They didn't have to. They could have just ignored it. They could have done any number of things. But instead they contacted Coke right away and those bitter rivals came together to nail the idiots.
I think it's cool. I think it's VERY cool. It won't change a damned thing - there will still be folks out in the stores fighting it out. Stealing facings, taking clips off of shelves, disconnecting coolers.....
Not that I'd know anything about THAT stuff, I'm just sayin'....
Good for you PepsiCo. I'm very impressed.
Posted by Tammi at July 7, 2006 05:50 AM | TrackBackDoesn't change the fact that Pepsi tastes like it has a liberal dose of dishwashing liquid in it.
Blech!
I'm not a Pepsi fan (except for Diet Dr Pepper) but was very impressed with Pepsi! It's good to see there are some companies out there with ethics.
Posted by: Cathy at July 7, 2006 06:46 AMI don't drink either but have always thought the cola wars a little ridiculous... sort of like the razor wars that have resulted in bulky, 5 bladed monsters that you couldn't shave with if you tried.
I worked for Gillette for awhile and yeah, it was very "company" only. Rah, rah, rah.
Strange. ;)
Posted by: pam at July 7, 2006 07:55 AMI was very proud of Pepsi and how they handled this. I loved the fact that in this cola war, they are the ones coming out on top for showing they have standards. Good for them.
I also thought it was just hilarious that these boobs sent the information to Pepsi, in a COKE envelope! DUH!
And I know some of the things you used to do...and it still cracks me up. You seem like such a nice girl!
Used to drink Coke, then literally overnight, I couldn't anymore. All I can taste is Nutmeg Oil, which is one of their flavorings they use. Ever since then, I've been a Pepsi girl. Pepsi, Pepsi One, Mt. Dew, Dr Pepper and a couple of the diet drinks. That's all you'll find in my home...I'm still a 'family' girl after all. ;)
Posted by: Lee Ann at July 7, 2006 08:21 AMBeing from Georgia everything no matter if its Pepsi or even Gatorade is called "Coke", and rare was it for us in the 80's and 90's to have a Pepsi product. So I guess Pepsi never tasted right to me because I was already geared toward Coke be defualt. Dunno
But serious Kudo's to them on handinling this like professionals instead of todlers on a playground!
Posted by: BloodSpite at July 7, 2006 08:29 AMof course this reminds me of a great story...
remind me to tell you on the phone.
Posted by: armywifetoddlermom at July 7, 2006 08:36 AMoh and I hate the taste of Pepsi too...
Posted by: armywifetoddlermom at July 7, 2006 08:38 AMfunny, that's exactly opposite what i used to do in restaurants (when i drank coke). "I'd like a Coke with lime, please." "Is Pepsi ok?" "NO!!!! Do you have Dr. Pepper?"
And they always used to say it so nonchalant and start writing Pepsi on their pad. But lately, they'd say, "Is Pepsi ok?" very apologetically. Which I found amusing.
That's good PepsiCo did that, though.
BTW, my stepdad now works for Pepsi, so I'm going to pay attention when I go to restaurants with him and see if he does that. I'll make fun of him for it. :)
Oh, and Bloodspite, in Texas everything is Coke, too. "You want a Coke?" "Yeah. Get me a Dr. Pepper."
Posted by: sarahk at July 7, 2006 09:39 AM