Post by xxxxxCanManxxxxx on Jan 2, 2011 12:34:13 GMT -5
The other day a BevReview reader sent us the following note: "I've just completed a screening for a market research company which next week is going to send me 3 cans of something called "Pepsi Next". Do you know anything about this drink?"
They provided us an image of what appears to be a PowerPoint slide that was used during the marketing research pitch.
We've transcribed the text here:
Introducing Pepsi Next!
The Next Generation of Delicious Soda Satisfaction.
The world of innovation has evolved at a dizzying page. Think of your first computer, your first cell phone, your first MP3 Player. We've come a long way baby!
But your soda is caught in the world of yesterday. Despite a newer, more health oriented generation, you are drinking the same stuff that you drank as a kid. Where's the progress on the beverage front?
Introducing Pepsi Next. The first soda to successfully bring together deliciously refreshing cola taste with less of the ingredients that you are trying to avoid.
That's because after years of trial, Pepsi experts have finally discovered the perfect blend of ingredients that allow you to have delicious taste with half the sugar and calories.
Finally, it's the new cola that proves you can have it all. Join the NEXT generation of soda drinkers!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Available wherever sodas are sold. All other Pepsi products still available.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
20 oz. available for $1.39
2 Liter available for $1.39
12 oz 12 pk available for $3.49
Interesting, huh?
Pepsi Next and Diet Pepsi Next
(Name Source: US Patent and Trademark Office)
Taking a look at filings with the US Patent and Trademark Office, there is are trademark requests for "Pepsi Next" (#77283282, filed September 9, 2007, extended October 29, 2010) and "Diet Pepsi Next" (#77268451, filed September 30, 2007, extended October 29, 2010). Both trademark requests have been extended 5 times for the "soft drink" category.
And that's about all we know at this time… as far as the product is concerned in the United States.
(Source: buyking.com)
Over in Japan and South Korea, however, they've had a product called "Pepsi Nex", which is often written as "Pepsi Next".
(Source: utada-hikaru.fan-club.it)
The branding on packaging we've seen online would seem to indicate that the Asian version of the product is zero calorie, which is different from the marketing research wording seen above on the US version.
The Pepsi Next image featured in the research document does have the newer Pepsi logo design, which would indicate that this document isn't very old. The use of the "60 calories per can" icon would also indicate this is recent, as this design is in response to new FDA rules requiring such labeling.
There are also some curious phrases used. For example, "delicious taste with half the sugar and calories." Hmm, didn't both Pepsi and Coke try this idea a while back? Did we not learn from 2004's short-lived Coke C2 and Pepsi Edge? Has the market changed enough to welcome this type of product back?
Also, if this drink is already half-calorie, what would a "Diet Pepsi Next" contain? This product doesn't seem like it would be something that would compete with Coke Zero, as Pepsi already has a product in that category… the poorly-marketed Pepsi Max. Let's not even get started on where Pepsi One would fit into this equation. To be honest, it's probably most like Sprite Green, which contained both sugar and stevia.
What do you think? Based on what you've read above, would you be interested in trying Pepsi Next? Let us know in the comments! (Also, if you learn anything more about this drink, feel free to share it via our Contact Form!)
Until there is more news to report, we'll keep our eyes on this story. Thanks again to the reader who contributed this finding!
www.bevreview.com/2010/12/30/pepsi-next/
They provided us an image of what appears to be a PowerPoint slide that was used during the marketing research pitch.
We've transcribed the text here:
Introducing Pepsi Next!
The Next Generation of Delicious Soda Satisfaction.
The world of innovation has evolved at a dizzying page. Think of your first computer, your first cell phone, your first MP3 Player. We've come a long way baby!
But your soda is caught in the world of yesterday. Despite a newer, more health oriented generation, you are drinking the same stuff that you drank as a kid. Where's the progress on the beverage front?
Introducing Pepsi Next. The first soda to successfully bring together deliciously refreshing cola taste with less of the ingredients that you are trying to avoid.
That's because after years of trial, Pepsi experts have finally discovered the perfect blend of ingredients that allow you to have delicious taste with half the sugar and calories.
Finally, it's the new cola that proves you can have it all. Join the NEXT generation of soda drinkers!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Available wherever sodas are sold. All other Pepsi products still available.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
20 oz. available for $1.39
2 Liter available for $1.39
12 oz 12 pk available for $3.49
Interesting, huh?
Pepsi Next and Diet Pepsi Next
(Name Source: US Patent and Trademark Office)
Taking a look at filings with the US Patent and Trademark Office, there is are trademark requests for "Pepsi Next" (#77283282, filed September 9, 2007, extended October 29, 2010) and "Diet Pepsi Next" (#77268451, filed September 30, 2007, extended October 29, 2010). Both trademark requests have been extended 5 times for the "soft drink" category.
And that's about all we know at this time… as far as the product is concerned in the United States.
(Source: buyking.com)
Over in Japan and South Korea, however, they've had a product called "Pepsi Nex", which is often written as "Pepsi Next".
(Source: utada-hikaru.fan-club.it)
The branding on packaging we've seen online would seem to indicate that the Asian version of the product is zero calorie, which is different from the marketing research wording seen above on the US version.
The Pepsi Next image featured in the research document does have the newer Pepsi logo design, which would indicate that this document isn't very old. The use of the "60 calories per can" icon would also indicate this is recent, as this design is in response to new FDA rules requiring such labeling.
There are also some curious phrases used. For example, "delicious taste with half the sugar and calories." Hmm, didn't both Pepsi and Coke try this idea a while back? Did we not learn from 2004's short-lived Coke C2 and Pepsi Edge? Has the market changed enough to welcome this type of product back?
Also, if this drink is already half-calorie, what would a "Diet Pepsi Next" contain? This product doesn't seem like it would be something that would compete with Coke Zero, as Pepsi already has a product in that category… the poorly-marketed Pepsi Max. Let's not even get started on where Pepsi One would fit into this equation. To be honest, it's probably most like Sprite Green, which contained both sugar and stevia.
What do you think? Based on what you've read above, would you be interested in trying Pepsi Next? Let us know in the comments! (Also, if you learn anything more about this drink, feel free to share it via our Contact Form!)
Until there is more news to report, we'll keep our eyes on this story. Thanks again to the reader who contributed this finding!
www.bevreview.com/2010/12/30/pepsi-next/
