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Social media and “bots” didn’t exist in 1985 when Coca Cola did their formulation and branding changes, but it still managed to get amplified by outrage alone.

Social media and “bots” didn’t exist in 1985 when Coca Cola did their formulation and branding changes, but it still managed to get amplified by outrage alone. Cracker Barrel had some of the same qualities that Coca Cola did. Loyal customer base, distinctiveness—I don’t think it’s unreasonable to conclude that even without bots and social media that this brand change wouldn’t have made news especially east of the Mississippi and ultimately stalled the conversion. May have happened quicker with the amplification, but would have happened all the same with out it.

intended 1y ago
In 1985, Coca Cola was a by-word for America, fast food, and consumerism. I assume this fact is obvious to you, because not too many people pull out 1985 marketing history/trivia in 2025. I suggest going through these analyses oneself. Typically they aren’t that complex, and it’s worth getting familiar with the tools available for people to analyze network manipulation.
- kcplate 1y ago
  Quite familiar, I have been on the technical side of marketing and advertising industry for over 30 years. Also, I lived through the 1985 New Coke debacle and was one of the people that were pissed off at the change. I know why I reacted how I did and quite a few others around me. It wasn’t because we felt “America” change, it’s because the new product tasted like shit compared to the old one. I didn’t want a “generic” tasting cola. Cracker Barrel fans didn’t want a generic feeling restaurant. Whatever bots did for the great Cracker Barrel crisis of 2025, they didn’t cause my 88 year old mother who goes to CB once a week to be pissed off that they changed “her restaurant to look like those stupid damned First Watch places”.
Touche 1y ago
The fact that you're familiar with the Coke controversy proves the point. Before they were rare and memorable. Now it happens ever other week. Bots are intentionally driving division.

intended 1y ago

In 1985, Coca Cola was a by-word for America, fast food, and consumerism. I assume this fact is obvious to you, because not too many people pull out 1985 marketing history/trivia in 2025. I suggest going through these analyses oneself. Typically they aren’t that complex, and it’s worth getting familiar with the tools available for people to analyze network manipulation.

kcplate 1y ago
Quite familiar, I have been on the technical side of marketing and advertising industry for over 30 years. Also, I lived through the 1985 New Coke debacle and was one of the people that were pissed off at the change. I know why I reacted how I did and quite a few others around me. It wasn’t because we felt “America” change, it’s because the new product tasted like shit compared to the old one. I didn’t want a “generic” tasting cola. Cracker Barrel fans didn’t want a generic feeling restaurant. Whatever bots did for the great Cracker Barrel crisis of 2025, they didn’t cause my 88 year old mother who goes to CB once a week to be pissed off that they changed “her restaurant to look like those stupid damned First Watch places”.

Touche 1y ago

The fact that you're familiar with the Coke controversy proves the point. Before they were rare and memorable. Now it happens ever other week. Bots are intentionally driving division.