On April 23, 1985, Coca-Cola released a new formulation of its beloved soft drink, an ambitious yet ultimately ill-fated product dubbed “New Coke.” The first change to the classic Coke formula in nearly a century, New Coke was an attempt to re-energize the Coca-Cola brand and capture a new generation of consumers. Instead, public outcry forced a reversal to the original formula—henceforth known as Coca-Cola Classic—by the following July. While the reformulation flopped, it did do one very positive thing for the company: It proved that consumers were very, very loyal to their brand.
“The events of 1985 changed forever the dynamics of the soft drink industry and the success of The Coca‑Cola Company,” reads the History section on the sodamaker’s website, “as the Coca‑Cola brand soared to new heights and consumers continued to remember the love they have for Coca‑Cola.”
Coke is such a beloved brand worldwide that there is an entire museum experience dedicated to it in the company’s hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. The World of Coca-Cola opened in 2007, and today is one of the most popular attractions in Atlanta. Located in convenient proximity to the Georgia Aquarium and the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, the World of Coca-Cola offers groups the chance to learn everything there is about Coca-Cola. Visitors can walk down a re-created Main Street so see classic Coke advertising, see how the bottling process works, and visit a gift shop with souvenirs you won’t find anywhere else. But the highlight for many is the tasting room, with samples of more than 100 beverages from around the world on offer.
Discounts are available for groups of 25 or more, with guided tours and other special experiences available to add on. For more, visit worldofcoca-cola.com/groups.
Main Image: World of Coca-Cola, Atlanta, Georgia; Credit: Adobe/4kclips
