Coca-Cola Vanilla
Current Coca-Cola Vanilla Can | |
Type | Vanilla flavored Cola |
---|---|
Manufacturer | The Coca-Cola Company |
Country of origin | United States |
Introduced | 1950s as a fountain drink 2002 as packaged |
Variants | Diet Vanilla Coke, Coke Vanilla Zero |
Related products | Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Black Cherry Vanilla, Coca-Cola Cherry, Coca-Cola with Lime |
Website | us![]() |
Coca-Cola Vanilla is the limited relaunch of the formerly produced Vanilla Coke soft drink from the early 2000s to compete with Pepsi Vanilla. Vanilla Coke is a vanilla flavored version of Coca-Cola Classic.
The Coca-Cola Company announced in early 2002 that Vanilla Coke would be introduced initially in the United States with distribution starting May 15, 2002, followed by a rollout in Canada. The introduction of vanilla flavor was hailed by The Coca-Cola Company as "the greatest innovation since Diet Coke in 1983".[1] It also marked the 116th anniversary of the Coca-Cola Company.[2]
In November 2005, after slumping sales, The Coca-Cola Company announced that Vanilla Coke would be discontinued in North America and Great Britain by the end of the year.[3]
In January 2006, Coca-Cola launched Black Cherry Vanilla Coke and Diet Black Cherry Vanilla Coke, a fusion of cola, black cherry, and vanilla flavors.
In 2007, Coca-Cola Vanilla was re-introduced in the U.S. and Ukraine with new packaging and with several new variants.
History
Ordinary Coca-Cola already contains small amounts of vanilla. The history of adding additional vanilla flavoring to Coca-Cola, at least in the US, dates back at least to the 1940s when local soda fountain workers (soda jerks) would upon request add a "shot" (roughly a couple of tablespoons) of vanilla syrup to a (12-16 oz) Coca-Cola fountain soda. For decades, this remained common practice in ice cream shops where vanilla syrup and Coca-Cola were both available. The Coca-Cola Company first tested a Coca-Cola blend with extra vanilla flavoring at the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee.[4] After the introduction of Cherry Coke and the failure of New Coke, the company was hesitant to introduce anything radically new. It was not until early April 2002 that rumors began to circulate that the company was planning a new variation to their classic soft-drink. The Coca-Cola Company was tight-lipped regarding the details of the new beverage, commenting to a London-based newspaper, "We've always got a number of things in development," leaving open speculation for what was to develop.[5] It was later revealed that testing for a vanilla flavor had been completed and that the new beverage would be available in months. However, in late April 2002 the company announced that Vanilla Coke would be produced as early as May.[6] Following its discontinuation, Coke CEO E. Neville Isdell confirmed in an interview with an Atlanta newspaper the return of Vanilla Coke.
The company began mass-producing Vanilla Coke on 15 May 2002. Later that year, it was introduced to the Norwegian, Swedish, and Icelandic markets of Europe. This was the first Coca-Cola variety introduced in Norway since Coca-Cola itself in 1937 and Coca-Cola Light in 1983.[7] As of 2003[update], Vanilla Coke was marketed in several European countries as well as Australia and New Zealand (in mid-to-late-2002). By late 2003, the company had marketed Vanilla Coke in over 30 countries around the globe.
Marketing campaign
The marketing campaign for Vanilla Coke aimed to appeal across all generations. Yolanda Ball, brand manager for Coca-Cola Classic, said, "We had to learn how to balance the newness of vanilla with the established qualities of Coca-Cola".[8]
One of the first notable advertisements was a television ad created by The Martin Agency which was based upon the product's original campaign line of "Reward Your Curiosity". The ad featured actor Chazz Palminteri, in which he and another man pull a teenager (played by a young Aaron Paul) into an alley after catching him peering into a hole. Palminteri gives the boy a Vanilla Coke, as a reward for his curiosity. Their former website rewardyourcuriosity.com went along with the campaign and drew a large interest at the time. (In the Philippine version of the ad, Palminteri's role was done by actor Johnny Delgado.) Ms. Ball described the ad: "We were trying to create something new and intriguing . . . half of it was about new, different and change of pace, and the rest of it was about how people love and trust Coca-Cola. But we didn't have to say New from Coca-Cola. We didn't have to hit them over the head with it."[8]
Vanilla Coke debuted at the Vanilla Bean Café, locally known as "the Bean," in Pomfret, Connecticut. The diet variety would be directed primarily at women. Although, the first public tasting of Vanilla Coke took place in the Buckhead district of Atlanta at the Three Dollar Cafe with Atlanta radio station Q100 and their morning hosts from The Bert Show.
The official re-introduction of Vanilla Coke began May 25, 2007 at the World of Coca-Cola Museum in Atlanta, Georgia. The Coca-Cola Company announced a partnership with Edy's Ice Cream to co-advertise with Coke on the launch, and featured a 10-ton Vanilla Coke float, which was certified by the Guinness World Records as the largest ice cream float in the world.[9]
Product information
Nutritional
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b5/Vanilla_Coke_Wiki.jpg/250px-Vanilla_Coke_Wiki.jpg)
Average quantity | per 12 oz (~355 mL) |
per 100 mL (~3.4 oz) |
Energy | 150 calories | 44 calories |
Protein | 0 g | 0 g |
Fat, total | 0 g | 0 g |
- saturated | 0 g | 0 g |
Carbohydrates | 41.3 g | 11.0 g |
- sugars | 40.9 g | 10.9 g |
Sodium | 35 mg | 10 mg |
Packaging
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a0/Vanilla07.jpg/250px-Vanilla07.jpg)
Vanilla Coke was packaged in standard bottles in accordance with appropriate Coca-Cola packaging. For a brief period of time in mid-2003, the bottles that Vanilla Coke came in, which had before said Vanilla Coke, were changed simply to V (which matched Cherry Coke's new labeling showing a picture of a cherry).
Varieties
- Vanilla Coke (discontinued in US as of 2006)
- Coca-Cola vanilla (2007–present)
- Diet Coke Vanilla (discontinued in US as of 2006)
- Coke Vanilla Zero (2007–present)
In late 2002, a sugar-free version, Diet Vanilla Coke, became available. In some countries, including Australia and New Zealand, a similar drink is marketed as "Diet Coke with Vanilla" and in others is known as Coca-Cola light Vanilla (or Vanilla Coke Light) In 2005, the sugar-free product in the United States and Canada became "Diet Coke Vanilla," with more emphasis on the Diet Coke label. All varieties were discontinued in 2006 in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Both varieties are still available in Australia and Hong Kong, Coca-Cola Vanille (translation) is also available in France and Germany. A new Coke Vanilla Zero was introduced in 2007, along with regular Vanilla. Only these two are available in the United States. The company has not announced any plan to resume production of Diet Coke Vanilla.
Distribution
Reception
Its inaugural year in 2002 saw its best sales. It is estimated that the product was purchased by about 29% of all United States households that year. It still remains popular along with its flavored partner, Cherry Coca Cola.[10]
Discontinuation
Doubt was cast over the future of Vanilla Coke and its splinter beverages when the company announced the 2004 sales figures: 35 million unit cases in North America compared to 90 million in 2002; Vanilla Diet Coke dropped from 23 million unit cases in its inaugural year (2003) to 13 in 2004.[3]
On 3 November 2005, The Coca-Cola Company announced that Vanilla Coke and its diet counterpart would be discontinued in the United Kingdom and Ireland by early 2006. A day later, it was announced that it would be phased out in North America by the end of 2005.
Coca-Cola introduced Black Cherry Vanilla Coke and Diet Black Cherry Vanilla Coke in North America in January 2006. At the time, the company said Vanilla Coke and Diet Vanilla Coke would possibly be made available again in the future:[3] "We are exploring ways to bring them back at another time, but right now Diet Black Cherry Vanilla Coke and Black Cherry Vanilla Coke are what consumers are telling us they want."[11] Vanilla Coke beverages were never discontinued in some markets, such as Australia, France, Russia, Malaysia, and Germany.
Reintroduction
From 19 February 2007, Vanilla Coke was re-introduced into New Zealand.[12]
In May 2007, Coca-Cola Vanilla was re-introduced into the US.[citation needed] A Coca-Cola Vanilla Zero has also been introduced. The re-released Coca-Cola Vanilla features a new packaging design. The advertising campaign for the revival used an instrumental cover of "Welcome Back".
In 2007, Vanilla Coke was also introduced into China. It was also introduced in other countries in Europe and Asia.
In June 2010, certain convenience stores in Ontario, Canada have re-introduced it by importing it from the neighbouring United States. Coca-Cola has said that there is a possibility that it will be brought back to Canada some day.
Coca-Cola has stated that it has no current plans to return Coca-Cola Vanilla to the United Kingdom even though there is a high demand for it. Several enquiries have been made throughout 2011 and 2012. Coca Cola have also thought about to return Vanilla Coca-Cola to the United Kingdom sooner or later. Coca Cola have also announced[citation needed] that they would definitely bring the beverage back to the United Kingdom in the future, some time soon, which is predicted mid 2012, or early 2013.
Availability
Currently available
Coca-cola vanilla and Coca-Cola vanilla Zero (if indicated) availability (not imported) as of October 2012:[13]
- Australia (also Coca-Cola vanilla Zero)
- Belarus
- Botswana
- Canada (also Coca-Cola vanilla Zero)
- China
- Comoros
- France
- Germany
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mariana Islands
- Mexico
- Namibia
- Nauru (also Coca-Cola vanilla Zero)
- New Zealand(Also Coca-Cola Vanilla Zero And Diet
- Nigeria
- Norway
- Papua New Guinea
- Republic of Ireland
- Russia
- Saint Maarten
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Swaziland
- Taiwan
- Ukraine
- United States of America (also Coca-Cola vanilla Zero)
Not available anymore
In some countries Coca-Cola Vanilla may be available as imported
- Colombia (Retired)
- Ireland (2003-2006)
- Hungary (2005-2006)
- Mexico (2004-2005)
- Nepal (2004-2006)
- Netherlands (200?-)
- Poland (2012)
- Russia (-2010)
- Ukraine (-2010)
- United Kingdom (2003-2006)
Notes
- ^ Shea, S Coke adds Vanilla B and T. October 18, 2002. Retrieved 11 January 2006
- ^ "http://www.virtualvender.coca-cola.com/ft/index.jsp?brand_id=270". Retrieved 9 March 2012.
{{cite web}}
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- ^ a b c Coca-Cola extracting Vanilla Coke in U.S. MSN. November 4, 2005
- ^ "Soft Drinks: I Gave My Love a Cherry Coke". Time. 4 March 1985. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
- ^ How about Vanilla Coke? CNN Money. 1 April 2002. Retrieved 11 January 2006.
- ^ Coca-Cola unveils Vanilla Coke CNN Money. April 15, 2002. Retrieved 2006-09-22.
- ^ Vanilla Coke lanseres i Norge Dagligvarehandelen.com. 11 November 2002. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
- ^ a b Howard, T Coke pops top on new colas USA Today. 14 October 2002. Retrieved 2006-09-22.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ Bhatnagar, P Joy of (Vanilla) Pepsi? CNN Money. 4 November 2005. Retrieved 11 January 2006.
- ^ Coke ditches three flavours in US BBC News. 4 November 2005. Retrieved 11 January 2006.
- ^ Vanilla Coke is Back! Coca-Cola New Zealand. 19 February 2007.
- ^ "Product Descriptions". the coca-cola company. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
- "Declining sales spell the end of Vanilla Coke". November 6, 2005. New Sunday Times, p. 14.
- Coca-Cola press release Coca-Cola Company. March 12, 2004. Retrieved 11 January 2006.
- Shea, S Coke adds Vanilla B and T. October 18, 2002. Retrieved January 11, 2006.
- How about Vanilla Coke? CNN Money. 1 April 2002. Retrieved 11 January 2006.
- Coca-Cola unveils Vanilla Coke CNN Money. 15 April 2002. Retrieved January 11, 2006.
- Howard, T Coke pops top on new colas USA Today. October 14, 2002. Retrieved 11 January 2006.
- Coca-Cola extracting Vanilla Coke in U.S. MSN. 4 November 2005. Retrieved 11 January 2006.
- Coke ditches three flavours in US BBC News. 4 November 2005. Retrieved 11 January 2006.
- Bhatnagar, P Joy of (Vanilla) Pepsi? CNN Money. 4 November 2005. Retrieved 11 January 2006.
External links
- Coca-Cola website