Get All Access for $5/mo

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

Staff Writer. Frequently covers digital media.

Geoff Weiss is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com who frequently covers digital media.

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

Editor's Pick

Growing a Business

You Need an Advisory Team More Than Ever. Here's Why — and How to Run One Effectively.

The right advice, particularly in a company's early stages, can be an existential matter: how to surround yourself with the right minds.

Growing a Business

4 Financial Blind Spots That Could Be Preventing You From Making More Money

If you're ready to grow but feel stagnated and not sure why, check out these common money secrets where revenue is hiding.

Business News

Chipotle CEO Addresses Backlash Over Portion Sizes: 'There Was Never a Directive to Provide Less'

The fast-casual chain has been under fire about inconsistent portion sizes.

Starting a Business

NFL Great Stefon Diggs Has a Plan to Change the Game in Fashion

Four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs has a burning passion for football and fashion. Here's his best advice for pursuing your dreams.

Starting a Business

How to Find the Right Programmers: A Brief Guideline for Startup Founders

For startup founders under a plethora of challenges like timing, investors and changing market demand, it is extremely hard to hire programmers who can deliver.