Looking at My Own Soft Drink Preferences

In examining my own soft drink purchasing habits I've found that I'm loyal...kind of.

I will say that I prefer Coke to Pepsi, but if the beverages are self-serve and no Coke is available, I'll push the Pepsi tap.

I would always however choose a non-diet Pepsi to a diet Coke or a Coke zero. I want the taste and if it has a few calories, so what! I am having the drink as a small enjoyment.

That brings me to size and how it influences my purchase, because I prefer the small cans of Coke or Pepsi to the large cans. [That's how I manage calories.] I don't drink a full size can or a full size bottle. And once a bottle has been opened, to me the flavor is never the same.

I really don't think the design on the can could ever sway my personal purchase for myself as long as I knew what was inside. Having said that my husband only drinks diet colas and I find it easier to put Coke zero in the grocery cart than diet Pepsi. So in that sense the sophisticated Coke zero can does influence my decision, but I do not personally drink it unless there is no other choice in the fridge.

The only diet soft drink product, in my opinion, that tastes anything like its non-diet counterpart is diet A&W root beer. However, I don't prefer root beer to cola, But if I had to choose a diet cola versus a diet root beer, I would choose the latter.

In general, I choose ice water with a slice of lemon in preference to diet colas or any diet drink. The exception is if I am having chips, I prefer any cola to no cola. Go figure.

If price is a factor say on a six-pack of small Coke vs. a six-pack of small Pepsi I am Scottish enough to choose the less expensive, if there is a big difference. I consider this a blip and not a long time choice.

I have never worked for any soft drink company. This reflection was inspired by the fact that I just took a sip of day old Coke zero, which was still on my desk. Yes, I was out of other choices and yes I was having Cheetos, a bad habit occasionally indulged.

Advertising: Bravo Chrysler TV Commercial

Okay it isn't often _when was the last time_ that an American car commercial brought some emotion to the flat screen?

Chrysler's "Imported From Detroit" gets my vote for a commercial that does, no doubt, do just what it set out to do: elevate the consumer brand response to Chrysler products.

It's advertising that commands attention, creates mood and is memorable cinematically.

Adorable Kids in TV Commercials

I don't know about you, but the commercial for Jif peanut butter where the little boy makes a peanut butter sandwich gets my vote for a memorable emotional commercial. How likely is this to touch the heart of every mom? On a scale of 1 to 10it is off the charts in my book.

And if there is any chance in the world that her child might actually do something this nice for her on a crazy busy school morning, Mom is reaching for the Jif peanut butter and placing it in her grocery cart.

It's a perfect slice of life for emotional branding this product. See more blog posts at http://www.andersonandcompany.biz.

Newsonomics

I just finished Newsonomics by Ken Doctor and really enjoyed his review of what is happening in the news industry. As someone who majored in journalism, but segued into advertising copywriting, I enjoyed the time that he gave to both sides. His subtitle "Twelve New Trends That Will Shape the News You Get" sums up the content of the book. People in the media know these things but perhaps not with the perspective and scope that Doctor gives them.

Although digital news is here to stay, niche magazines and, I daresay, some newspapers will hold their own in the future. There is so much information out there, I perfer to take mine in both digital and printed servings. As a person who spends a great deal of time in front of a desktop computer screen and a laptop, I still like to interface with real print publications. Magazines and books are a habit that I'm not likely to break.