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

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.

Side Hustle

The Side Hustle He Started in His College Apartment Turned Into a $70,000-a-Month Income Stream — Then Earned Nearly $2 Million Last Year

Kyle Morrand and his college roommates loved playing retro video games — and the pastime would help launch his career.

Business News

New Southwest Airlines Major Investor Wants to Force Out CEO, Slams Company's 'Stubborn Unwillingness to Evolve'

Elliot Investment Management announced a $1.9 billion stake in the Dallas-based Southwest Airlines on Monday and is urging shareholders to vote for new leadership.

Science & Technology

Why We Shouldn't Fear AI in Education (and How to Use It Effectively)

Facing resistance to new technologies in the educational process is nothing new, and AI is no exception. Yet, this powerful tool is set to overcome these challenges and revolutionize education, preparing students and professionals for a future of unparalleled efficiency and personalized learning.

Business News

Elon Musk Threatens to Ban Employees from Using Apple Products, Says Will Lock Devices in 'Cages'

The Tesla founder sounded off on X following Apple's 2024 Worldwide Developer Conference on Monday.

Business News

Apple's AI Has a Catch — And It Could Help Boost Sales

Not every iPhone owner will get to use the new Apple Intelligence.

Business News

Y Combinator Helped Launch Reddit, Airbnb and Dropbox. Here's What I Learned From Its Free Startup School.

The famed startup accelerator offers a free course on building a business — and answers five pressing questions for founders.