Join our Waitlist for Expert Advice!

Diet Coke Campaign Fizzles After Consumers Mock 'You're On Coke' Snafu Diet Coke's new ad was looking to target a young, professional demographic, but after bloggers teased the beverage giant about a possible drug reference, the campaign, well, went flat.

By Geoff Weiss

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Flame retardant isn't the only questionable substance Coca Cola is looking to distance itself from in recent days.

While consumers have long queried whether or not the beloved beverage happens to contain cocaine, Coke has now scrapped an ad campaign perceived by social media and the blogosphere to allude to the drug.

Themed "You're On," the ads presented the beverage as an energy driver for consumers in make-or-break situations. One print ad read: "You moved to New York with the clothes on your back, the cash in your pocket and your eyes on the prize. You're on. Diet Coke."

Unfortunately for the beverage giant, the placement (and font size) of the word diet had many consumers reading "You're On. Coke."

Related: Want Your Ad to Go Viral? Get a TV Network to Ban It.

When all this hoopla began a few months back, Coca Cola told AdWeek that the advertising campaign "celebrates ambitious young achievers from all walks of life and reminds them that Diet Coke is there to support them in the moments when they are at their best." The company added that there was absolutely no connection with any illegal drugs.

But AdWeek, which suggests that the drug reference was intentional, also noted the name of the New York agency that developed the ads, Droga5, seemingly adds fuel to the fire -- as "drogas" translates to drugs in Spanish.

As a result of all the blowback, Coke will replace the ads beginning today with the same campaign -- entitled "Just for the taste of it" -- that it used to introduce Diet Coke back in 1983. A new print ad reads, "There's nothing like the refreshing taste of Diet Coke. Except maybe finding a twenty in your pocket. That's pretty great."

Related: The 'Got Milk' Slogan Is No More

Geoff Weiss

Former Staff Writer

Geoff Weiss is a former staff writer at Entrepreneur.com.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Thought Leaders

These 3 Trends Will Change What It Means to Be an Entrepreneur in 2025

Here are three entrepreneurship trends from the new Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report that are changing the landscape for the future.

Growing a Business

The Best Way to Run a Business Meeting

All too often, meetings run longer than they should and fail to keep attendees engaged. Here's how to run a meeting the right way.

Social Media

Stop Chasing Algorithms — Here's How Creators Can Take Control of Their Content and Monetize on Their Own Terms

Social media platforms promise creators visibility, but the real challenge lies in relying on algorithms for income.

Business News

This New Restaurant Is Banking on One Dish — Because It's the Only Entrée on the Menu

The new hotspot is gaining buzz on social media for its innovative yet super simple concept.