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Pepsi Challenge
Pepsi Challenge
from Wikipedia

The Pepsi Challenge is an ongoing United States marketing promotion run by PepsiCo since 1975. It is also the name of a cross country ski race at Giant's Ridge Ski Area in Biwabik, Minnesota, an event sponsored by Pepsi.[1]

Method

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An early 1980s "Pepsi Challenge" 12 oz (355 ml) promotional can, and a metal tab button publicizing the challenge.

The challenge originally took the form of a single blind taste test. At malls, shopping centers, and other public locations, a Pepsi representative would set up a table with two white cups, one containing Pepsi and one containing Coca-Cola.[2] Shoppers were encouraged to taste both colas and select which they preferred. The representative then revealed which soda the taster selected, Coke or Pepsi. The results of the test leaned toward a consensus that Pepsi was preferred by more Americans, which led people to claim that Pepsi was better than Coke.[3] The Pepsi Challenge has been featured in much of Pepsi's TV advertising.[4]

History

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The challenge launched in 1975, as part of the ongoing Cola wars between Pepsi and The Coca-Cola Company.[5]

A Coca-Cola pinback button, "I picked Coke in the Pepsi Challenge."

In his book Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking (2005), Canadian author Malcolm Gladwell presents evidence that suggests Pepsi's success over Coca-Cola in the "Pepsi Challenge" is a result of the flawed nature of the "sip test" method.[6] His research shows that tasters will generally prefer the sweeter of two beverages based on a single sip, even if they prefer a less sweet beverage over the course of an entire can.[7] Additionally, the challenge more often than not labeled the Pepsi cup with an "M" and the Coca-Cola cup with a "Q," suggesting letter preference may drive some of the results.[8] Donald M. Kendall of Pepsi promoted the Pepsi Challenge.

When the preference in blind tests is compared to tests wherein cups are labeled with arbitrary labels (e.g., S or L) or brand names, the ratings of preference change.[9] Scientific findings do support a perceptible difference between Coca-Cola and Pepsi, but not between Pepsi and RC Cola.[10]

In his book Bad Habits, humorist Dave Barry describes the Pepsi challenge as, "Pepsi’s ongoing misguided attempt to convince the general public that Coke and Pepsi are not the same thing, which of course they are."[11]

In 2015, Pepsi re-launched the Pepsi Challenge on social media.[12] As part of this year long promotion, Pepsi signed various celebrity ambassadors to advertise their product on their social media accounts under the hashtag #PepsiChallenge.[13]

In 2025, Pepsi said that they were going to revive the Pepsi Challenge again, starting with New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX. In March, they'll start a nationwide campaign in major cities like Los Angeles, Dallas and Houston. However, instead of the originals, the Challenge will include sugar-free variations of the two drinks: Pepsi Zero Sugar and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar.

Contest

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In 1981, Pepsi ran a "Pepsi Challenge Payoff" contest that would hand out a large prize to anyone who could gather Pepsi bottle caps that spelled out the word “Challenge".[14]

See also

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References

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Further reading

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The Pepsi Challenge was a landmark marketing campaign launched by in 1975, featuring blind taste tests in public venues where participants sampled unmarked cups of and its primary competitor, , and overwhelmingly preferred 's sweeter, more syrupy flavor profile. This initiative, developed initially in , , as a strategy to challenge 's market dominance, quickly expanded nationwide, setting up demonstration tables in malls, theaters, and supermarkets to engage undecided consumers directly. The campaign's core message leveraged empirical results showing winning a majority of blind comparisons, which used in television advertisements to erode 's psychological hold on loyalists. By the early 1980s, the Pepsi Challenge had propelled Pepsi's U.S. from around 20% to nearly 30%, intensifying the "" and prompting to respond with innovations like in 1982 and the ill-fated formula in 1985, which inadvertently boosted Pepsi's position further. The campaign was revived in 2025 with a modern twist. Beyond immediate sales gains, the campaign revolutionized food and beverage marketing by popularizing blind testing as a tool to isolate product merit from , influencing consumer studies on sensory and shaping modern advertising tactics across industries.

Background

Origins in Marketing Strategy

In the early 1970s, conducted that highlighted challenges in appealing to younger consumers, who increasingly viewed the brand as less exciting compared to , which dominated with a roughly twice that of . This research emphasized the need for differentiation through tangible attributes like , as subjective perceptions often favored Coca-Cola's established over Pepsi's product merits. To counter this, Pepsi's marketing team, under the leadership of president , devised the Pepsi Challenge as a data-driven initiative to empirically demonstrate Pepsi's taste superiority in blind comparisons. , building on prior youth-oriented campaigns like the "Pepsi Generation" led by senior vice president Alan Pottasch, focused on leveraging consumer research to transform advertising from lifestyle imagery to verifiable proof, aiming to erode Coca-Cola's perceptual edge. Initial testing phases commenced in 1974 in markets, particularly —a stronghold for —where local events were organized at malls and public spaces to engage participants in preference trials and gather quantitative data on taste selections. These pilots involved systematic data collection to validate results showing a consistent edge for , setting the foundation for broader rollout. The overarching strategic goal was to reposition Pepsi from a perceived "me-too" follower to a leader substantiated by , fostering greater amid the escalating rivalry in the industry. This approach sought to build long-term by prioritizing objective metrics over brand nostalgia, directly challenging Coca-Cola's dominance.

Context of the Cola Wars

The Cola Wars denote the fierce competition between and that intensified during the 1960s, as both companies vied for dominance in the growing U.S. market. had established a commanding position with approximately 60% of the in the post-World War II era, but by 1970, its share had declined to around 35%, while held about 20%. This rivalry was fueled by aggressive advertising strategies, with leveraging its global dominance through high-budget campaigns that emphasized universal appeal and nostalgia, such as the 1963 slogan "Things Go Better with Coke," which aired extensively on television and radio. In response, launched its "" campaign in 1964, crafted by ad agency Batton, Barton, Durstine & Osborn to target the burgeoning youth demographic, portraying as the vibrant choice for a new, energetic era of consumers. The competitive landscape of the was further shaped by broader economic pressures, including and high rates that averaged approximately 8.8% annually from 1973 to 1982, eroding consumer and prompting shifts toward more affordable, value-driven brands. Amid rising costs for ingredients like and packaging, positioned itself as a cost-effective alternative to Coca-Cola's , capitalizing on promotions and larger bottle sizes to appeal to budget-conscious households. These economic factors intensified the pressure on to differentiate itself beyond price, driving the need for innovative tactics to challenge Coca-Cola's entrenched loyalty. At the same time, blind taste testing emerged as a novel empirical tool in consumer goods during the , allowing brands to demonstrate product superiority through unbiased consumer feedback. Early adopters included coffee brands like , which ran street-side blind tests in television ads to prove its matched brewed varieties, and the industry, where competitors like Schlitz used similar methods to highlight flavor preferences. However, this approach had not yet been systematically applied to the cola category, where often overshadowed objective taste comparisons, setting the stage for its potential as a disruptive strategy in the intensifying .

Campaign Mechanics

Blind Taste Test Method

The Blind Taste Test Method of the Pepsi Challenge involved a structured, single-blind procedure designed to elicit preferences without brand identification. Participants were approached at public venues such as malls and presented with two identical cups containing chilled samples of , one labeled "M" (containing ) and the other "Q" (containing ), to maintain anonymity and focus solely on taste. The samples were served at a cold temperature to simulate typical casual consumption conditions, with the small volume intended to represent a quick sip rather than a full serving. In the step-by-step process, participants were instructed to taste each sample sequentially, often by taking a sip, optionally swishing it in the mouth, and either swallowing or spitting it out before indicating their preference for the "M" or "Q" sample. To ensure fairness, booth operators randomized the order in which the samples were presented to each participant, preventing any systematic bias from position effects. Operators were trained to remain neutral, avoiding any verbal or visual cues that could influence choices, such as or suggestive comments, and to handle the process consistently across tests. Results were tallied immediately on-site after each test, allowing for dramatic reveals where participants learned the brand identities and saw the aggregated preferences displayed, often contributing to the promotional excitement. PepsiCo emphasized large sample sizes in their methodology, conducting thousands of tests per market to aggregate data and claim a majority preference in favor of across the campaigns.

Participant Engagement and Promotion

The Pepsi Challenge engaged participants through interactive on-site setups at high-traffic locations such as malls, , and fairs, where brand representatives established booths or tables to conduct blind taste tests. These events offered free samples of both Pepsi and competing colas in unmarked cups, encouraging passersby to participate by simply sipping and declaring their preference, thereby creating a low-barrier entry to experiential . Promotional efforts also incorporated contest elements, such as a collection promotion where consumers gathered caps to spell "Pepsi Challenge" for chances to win prizes, including cases of , which extended the campaign's reach beyond live events. The campaign's tie-ins amplified engagement via commercials that featured genuine participant reactions from the taste tests, often highlighting surprised expressions upon learning they preferred . A key slogan, "Take the Challenge," was prominently used in these ads to challenge viewers directly, while variations like "Is it true that more people prefer the of ?" underscored the test's purported results and invited public skepticism toward loyalists. These elements collectively drove widespread consumer involvement by blending interactive experiences with aspirational promotion.

Historical Development

Initial Launch in 1975

The Pepsi Challenge launched in 1975 in Dallas, Texas, as a strategy to challenge Coca-Cola's market dominance in a region where the competitor held strong loyalty. The campaign involved setting up booths in high-traffic areas like shopping malls, where participants—primarily self-identified Coca-Cola drinkers—sampled unmarked cups of Pepsi and Coca-Cola in a blind taste test. In early tests, thousands of individuals participated, with a majority preferring the taste of Pepsi, challenging assumptions of brand loyalty in the Southern market. By mid-1975, the campaign expanded to other Texas cities, including and , where similar blind taste tests were conducted to replicate the Dallas success. Pepsi representatives captured participants' surprised reactions on video during these events, using the footage to authenticate the campaign's claims of genuine preference shifts. This regional rollout allowed Pepsi to refine its approach based on local feedback while maintaining focus on as a key battleground in the cola rivalry. The early advertising efforts emphasized unscripted testimonials from "real people" to build credibility, with local television spots airing in and surrounding areas showing edited clips of taste test reactions. Print media complemented these efforts through newspaper ads that highlighted the blind test outcomes, positioning as the bolder, taste-superior choice without relying on endorsements. These promotions were tailored to regional audiences, fostering word-of-mouth buzz in communities. Initial rollout faced pushback from , which accused of biased sampling methods favoring Southern markets where regional loyalties might skew results. countered by questioning the scientific validity of the tests in statements and advertisements, arguing that —not isolated tastings—better reflected true preference, and highlighting their overall 2-to-1 market lead. These early critiques underscored the competitive tensions as sought to erode 's entrenched position.

National and International Expansion

Following its successful debut in in 1975, the Pepsi Challenge rapidly expanded across the , transitioning from regional testing to a nationwide initiative by the late . By , the campaign had penetrated approximately 75% of the U.S. market, with taste tests conducted in high-traffic public venues such as shopping malls, grocery stores, and major events including . This broad rollout facilitated widespread participant engagement, drawing large crowds at locations like the , where booths encouraged blind tastings amid festive atmospheres. Internationally, the campaign adapted to local markets beginning in 1976 with its launch in , where Pepsi adopted the slogan "More and more every day, everywhere Canadians are discovering the Great Taste of Pepsi" and featured regional spokespeople such as singer in to resonate with French-speaking audiences. Expansion continued into the early 1980s, reaching the in 1981 and by 1983, with modifications to emphasize comparisons against dominant local cola competitors rather than solely . These adaptations maintained the core blind taste test format while tailoring promotions to cultural preferences, such as integrating into urban shopping districts in . In the 1980s, Pepsi Challenge advertisements evolved to incorporate celebrity endorsements and tie into broader branding efforts, amplifying the campaign's visibility and cultural impact. The 1984 "Choice of a New Generation" initiative featured high-profile figures like and , who appeared in commercials linking youth appeal and taste preference to Pepsi's identity. This period marked peak participation, as reported the challenge active in over 75% of U.S. markets, with millions engaging annually through on-site tests and promotional tie-ins. The campaign's momentum also intersected with the 1985 launch, prompting Pepsi to air ads that mocked Coca-Cola's formula overhaul while reinforcing blind test results favoring Pepsi's flavor.

Impact and Analysis

Market Share Gains and Responses

The Pepsi Challenge significantly boosted Pepsi's position in the U.S. market, with the company's rising from around 20% in 1975 to over 30% by the early , largely attributed to the campaign's demonstration of preferences in blind tests showing approximately 53-57% for . In initial test markets, the Challenge drove sales spikes, contributing to Pepsi's overall narrowing of the gap with and establishing it as a credible challenger brand during the height of the . Coca-Cola responded aggressively to these gains, launching in 1982 to capture the growing diet segment and, more dramatically, reformulating its flagship product as in 1985 to match the sweeter profile favored in Pepsi's taste tests. The initiative, intended as a direct counter to the Challenge's momentum, faced massive consumer backlash and was reversed within months, but it underscored the competitive pressure exerted by Pepsi's campaign. Over the longer term, Pepsi's gains from the Challenge proved somewhat temporary, eroding in the late 1990s as regained dominance, yet Pepsi stabilized around 30% through the decade while crediting the initiative for revitalizing its brand image and youth appeal. Economically, the Challenge formed part of Pepsi's 1975 advertising spend of approximately $18 million, which fueled broader revenue growth; by , PepsiCo's sales had more than tripled to over $8 billion, reflecting the high-impact return on such targeted marketing efforts.

Scientific Critiques of Preference Results

The Pepsi Paradox refers to the consistent finding in blind taste tests that a majority of participants prefer over , yet maintains greater overall market success and . This discrepancy arises because 's formulation, which contains slightly more (41 grams per 12-ounce serving compared to 's 39 grams), delivers a sweeter profile that appeals in short sips typical of taste tests. However, when consuming full servings, such as bottles or cans, participants often favor 's more complex flavor balance, which includes subtle notes of and that sustain interest without overwhelming sweetness. Psychological research highlights expectation as a key factor in branded versus blind tests. In a 2004 (fMRI) study, participants showed no strong sensory preference in blind conditions but exhibited heightened activity in brain regions associated with reward and memory—such as the —when was labeled, leading over 50% to prefer it despite the blind results favoring . Similarly, a 2007 study on patients with damage found that while intact participants shifted toward under branded conditions due to cultural associations, those with damage maintained blind preferences, underscoring how branding influences perceived taste through non-sensory cognitive processes. These findings indicate that the Pepsi Challenge's blind format isolated flavor but overlooked how labels evoke emotional and identity-based responses that drive real-world choices. From a sensory science perspective, Pepsi's sweeter formulation elicits a rapid "liking" response in brief exposures by stimulating dopamine-related reward pathways more intensely than Coca-Cola's milder profile. This initial appeal fades in extended consumption due to sensory-specific , where the dominant of leads to quicker flavor fatigue, whereas Coca-Cola's balanced acidity and aromatics provide longer-lasting satisfaction. Such dynamics explain why sip-based tests, as used in the Pepsi Challenge, may not predict preferences for typical drinking scenarios like meals or full cans. Critiques of the Pepsi Challenge methodology further undermine its preference results. Samples were often drawn from convenience locations like malls, skewing toward younger demographics who tend to favor sweeter beverages and not representing broader consumer bases such as older adults who prioritize subtlety. Additionally, the protocol lacked rigorous controls for variables like serving temperature—Pepsi was sometimes presented slightly warmer to enhance its sweetness—or order effects, where the sequence of samples could influence judgments through contrast or fatigue. PepsiCo's reporting emphasized select trials showing around a 3:2 preference ratio while downplaying variability across locations or null results, potentially inflating perceived consistency without full transparency on aggregated data.

Legacy and Evolution

Long-Term Cultural Influence

The Pepsi Challenge permeated through satirical portrayals in film and television, underscoring its status as a icon. In the 1992 comedy film , characters and Garth Algar mock corporate by awkwardly promoting brands like during a live broadcast, with Wayne declaring it "the choice of a new generation" while consuming the beverage alongside and pizza. This scene satirized the overt commercialism exemplified by the Challenge's blind taste tests and endorsements, reflecting broader 1990s toward tactics. The campaign's emphasis on empirical, consumer-driven validation influenced subsequent advertising trends, particularly by popularizing interactive challenges and user-engaged promotions. Burger King drew directly from the Pepsi Challenge's playbook in its 1982 taste-test campaign against McDonald's, conducting blind comparisons of Whopper burgers to demonstrate superiority, much like Pepsi's cola showdowns. This approach helped normalize experiential marketing that invited public participation, foreshadowing modern strategies in brand competitions. Symbolically, the Pepsi Challenge epitomized American consumerism's bold, confrontational ethos, intertwining marketing with pop culture icons to challenge established norms. The 1984 Pepsi advertisements featuring , part of the "New Generation" campaign, amplified this by transforming soda endorsements into high-profile cultural events, with Jackson's performance of a "" adaptation drawing massive viewership and boosting Pepsi's image as a youthful, rebellious alternative to . These tie-ins elevated the Challenge's legacy beyond taste tests, embedding it in the era's fusion of celebrity, music, and consumer branding. In academic contexts, the Pepsi Challenge has served as a cornerstone for studying perceptual since the 1990s, illustrating how and sensory biases shape preferences. case studies on the , such as "Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi-Cola (A)" from 1991, analyze the campaign's role in shifting market dynamics through blind testing, highlighting perceptual gaps between taste and branding. These materials emphasize its enduring lessons on challenging incumbents via direct validation, influencing curricula in and courses.

Revivals and Adaptations Post-2000

In 2015, marking the 40th anniversary of the original campaign, reimagined the Pepsi Challenge as a yearlong, social media-centric initiative rather than traditional blind taste tests. The #PepsiChallenge encouraged users to participate in monthly lifestyle tasks across categories like music, sports, , and , with each hashtag use triggering a donation to the charity for solar lighting projects in underserved communities. Celebrity ambassadors, including Usher, , , and fashion designer , issued personalized challenges via platforms like and , fostering that blended pop culture with social good. This adaptation aimed to reposition as a youthful, experiential brand for , generating widespread engagement without direct product comparisons. The campaign evolved further in the 2020s to align with health-conscious trends, emphasizing low- and zero-sugar variants amid rising demand for reduced-calorie beverages. PepsiCo reformulated in early 2023 to enhance its flavor profile, positioning it as a direct competitor to Coke Zero Sugar in informal taste comparisons. Independent taste tests during this period yielded mixed results, with some consumers favoring Pepsi Zero's smoother, less artificial aftertaste, while others preferred Coke Zero's crisper and familiarity. highlighted ongoing divided preferences in blind tests between the zero-sugar colas, reflecting broader shifts in soda consumption toward healthier options. In 2025, for the 50th anniversary, launched a hybrid revival combining in-person blind tests of against Coke Zero Sugar with digital extensions to combat declining soda sales. The nationwide tour began on February 6 in New Orleans ahead of , expanding to cities like New York, , , and , where participants received free samples and merchandise; the tour continued through the year, including activations at events such as the in Orlando on November 22. claimed superior refreshment for its zero-sugar variant based on a national , though independent reviews noted subjective variances in sweetness and . To amplify reach, the campaign integrated , allowing users to claim at-home kits via the platform starting May 8 and encouraging influencer-led videos of challenges, which drove and a reported 25% sales lift for in early activations. This digital focus, including branded hashtag challenges on , marked a strategic adaptation to short-form video trends, boosting global engagement amid competitive pressures.

References

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