The "New Coke" debacle back in 1985 is viewed as a colossal failure. Yet I've always argued otherwise. They were trying to make Coke more Pepsi-like... not understanding there was a reason why we drank their product.
When "Coke Classic" came out, it was purported to be the old format. Yet one taste had me checking the ingredients, which were indeed changed.
So was "New Coke" really a mistake, or just a well played sleight of hand?
That initial taste of "Coke Classic" in July 1985 was the last time that I ever drank a "Cola."