Comments on: Yes, We Can (Try to Hop on the Obama Marketing Bandwagon)

By: jay

jay — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:55:52 +0000

Meh. Doesn’t taste any better. Now I just want someone to buy it for me, instead.

By: Dawn Boddy

Dawn Boddy — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:40:44 +0000

Because the more I think about this article, the more I feel an ugly and Unnecessary spin has been set in motion, I started searching.
Here’s a story I found on another site with a few quotes from Bill Wyman, senior manager of marketing, Pepsi Cola North America. A No ugly spin, just some News to share story.
Pepsi has a new look.
Nationally Pepsi-Cola has made a “breathtaking” change.
Pepsi is rebranding itself with a noticeably refreshed globe and cleaner, simpler packaging. This move places Pepsi at the heart of change, looking towards an uplifting societal shift.
“There’s no denying the current challenges facing the nation but many Americans want to look ahead to brighter days and Pepsi hopes this change will help lift America’s spirit,” noted a press release.
“Pepsi has always been and always will be fueled by optimism and youth,” said Bill Wyman, senior manager of marketing, Pepsi Cola North America.
“We’re going to capture that spirit, one that will place a great deal of emphasis on a word that resonates with today’s Millennial generation: optimism.”
The primary target of this “forward-leaning” initiative is the millennial demographic – consumers who will be in their late teens and 20s in 2009. But it looms, at the same time as a universal message that will resonate across the beverage-consumption board, particularly with the Baby Boomers that formed the archetype Pepsi Generation in the 60s.

By: Dawn Boddy

Dawn Boddy — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:33:28 +0000

WOW!!! Lighten Up People! There are three different Globes. A Grin, A Smile, and a Laugh. Times are tough and very few are unaffected, we are ALL aware. So why are we bashing a company that is only trying to keep spirits up and bring a bit of JOY if possible. Did anyone READ the statement? It was unintentional and even if it wasn’t WHO CARES?? Do you really believe that the idea for this campaign began when Obama stepped up to the plate?? I could be wrong but it seems to me that it takes a bit longer than that to put something that big into play. So because PEPSI shares and is trying to spread the same optimism and hope that millions of us do, it is somehow WRONG WRONG WRONG because the President is optimistic and hopeful?? I’m Pretty confident that we wouldn’t be seeing a new black blue and purple can covered in tears and carnage if the President thought it was hopeless! HMMMM? I say Thanks Pepsi! For spending the time, money and Manpower to give us a little lift when we’re down!

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:56:12 +0000

I’m a marketing pro who has worked on identity projects in the past. When I first saw the new Pepsi logo, I instantaneously recognized it as a riff on Obama’s.
It might help those who don’t immediately perceive it to rotate the image counterclockwise about 90 degrees (something the human brain often does unconsciously). Then the similarities are more apparent.
The fact that the logo is being introduced in an ad campaign featuring obvious appropriation of Obama’s messaging should alleviate any doubts about PepsiCo’s intentions.
It’s a risky strategy, because it subsumes Pepsi’s brand into Obama’s more powerful one, and it won’t be easy to differentiate it later if Pepsi’s consumer base becomes disillusioned with the President.
I question the business case for this move. It almost seems like Pepsi made the identity shift more for cultural or ideological reasons than sound marketing ones.

By: brian Friesen

brian Friesen — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 17:08:30 +0000

Uhhh, I hate to break it to you but those logos don’t look anything like one another other than the fact that they are both red, white and blue and are round.
In fact, I don’t get the Pepsi logo at all. What the heck is that? A sail? A weird distorted “P”?
There is utterly no similarity.

By: nancy

nancy — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:53:33 +0000

The media can make you believe anything. This is just a coinsidence. Hellooooo.. these are Pepsi colors. I personally never drink the stuff. It’s bad for ya anyway..

By: Tara

Tara — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:20:23 +0000

I actually like the commercial and the logo looks the same as the old Pepsi logo but fresher. The commercial is really uplifing and I think it was a brilliant marketing move. Just because Pepsi wants to mimic the upbeat, everything will be ok, have confidence, unity message…what’s wrong with that. As consumers and citizens, we need that confidence builder. I love it..I will not buy another coke. Pepsi is my choice.

By: Roland

Roland — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:39:03 +0000

Pepsi’s logo has been fairly consistant over time. I do not think it’s an Obama copy.

By: sam

sam — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 05:33:49 +0000

What’s great about the Pepsi ad is the song. Go Pointer Sister’s. It’s nice to have a guy in the White House whose musical tastes range from R&B to Jazz.
Wynton Marsalis would do well to Invite the Obamas to a Jazz Weekend at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Maybe now the focus will be on great music including the Original American musical idiom…Jazz.
Perhaps the greats will come back to the U.S. instead of hiding out in Europe.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 03:42:49 +0000

Pepsi is definitely jumping on the Obama bandwagon. I saw their latest commercial today. I don’t know what the song in the background was but it toots the phrases, “I know darn well we can make it/I know darn well we can work it out/ Yes We Can…” So I have to give props to the people who market Pepsi products because right now Obama is a brandname. Smart move:)