Summary:
The article “Coke Confronts Its Big Fat Problem”, by Claire Suddath and Duane Stanford was published on July 31, 2014. It was published in Bloomberg Business Week. The article starts off by explaining that the Sandy Douglas, the president of Coca-Cola, limits himself to one can of coke a day. He explains that he drinks coke every day but he limits himself to one can because there are already too many calories in one can, he is not going to have more than that. Sandy Douglas has been with Coca-Cola for 26 years and it seems that telling the public that he limits himself to one can per day might not be beneficial when trying to promote the product. Recently, the Coca-Cola Chairman and Chief Executive of the company gave Sandy Douglas the task of changing the decline in sales to an increase but Sandy Douglas is finding it to be almost impossible. He knows that people simply just are not drinking as much coke as they used to. Consumers are now more often than not, turning to water as an alternative to sugary drinks. The President ran into a former coke drinker who said that she gave it up a few years ago, has lost 7 pounds since and feels so much better without coke in her diet. Although Americans have yet to figure out the answer to obesity, they are easily pointing the responsibility at Coca-Cola. Over the past 10 years the Coca-Cola sales have plummeted so much due to a variety of other options that have been brought into the market so now people just aren't as thirsty for Coca-Cola.
Opinion:
In order to continue to sell Coca-Cola products, it is necessary to create healthier options as cultural shifts to eating better are on the brink. I do not think that the President telling reporters that he limits himself to one coke a day because there are too many calories in the product helps selling in any way. If people are aware that the President does not recommend drinking more than one can of coke then others will limit themselves too? The President also mentioned to the public that he ran into a former coke drinker who has lost weight since she has quit the product. This is another comment that will only push people away from wanting to continue to drink coke.
Feedback:
Do you think that the President made a wise choice in telling the media he limits himself to one can of coke per day?
Do you think that Coca-Cola sales have increased or decreased after this article was published?
What should Coca-Cola do to increase their sales?
Resources:
Stanford, D & Suddath, C. (2014,
July 31). Coke confronts its big fat problem. Bloomberg Business Week. Retrieved from
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-07-31/coca-cola-sales- decline-health-concerns-spur-relaunch
Photo retrieved from http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-07-31/coca-cola-sales-decline-health-concerns-spur-relaunch
1) Do you think that the President made a wise choice in telling the media he limits himself to one can of coke per day?
ReplyDeleteYes, we both agree that the president made a good choice by annoucing his limitations. This makes the relationship between Coca Cola and its consumers even more promising and relatable.
2) Do you think that Coca-Cola sales have increased or decreased after this article was published?
No we do not beleive that the sales are effected after this publication. Those consumers who are already addicted to Coke will continue to drink it. And those who do not will evidentally be introduced to it.
I understand where you're coming from Amit and Teresa, but I also believe that people will know that the President should know best about the product. If the president is drinking very limited amounts of it then it is probably because the product is very bad for you.
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