‘Stranger Things,’ New Coke collab gets meta with failed online launch
Earlier this week, we learned that thanks to Stranger Things the failed ‘90s Coca-Cola product called New Coke would be making a comeback.
The product became available online, and there were a series of more failures that lead to consumers having issues acquiring the product.
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To rewind, Coca-Cola announced they would be bringing back a limited number of New Coke cans in honor of the third season of the Netflix show, where the product will be featured on-screen. Also, original Coke will be available in limited-edition packages with Stranger Things designs on them.
It was the creators of the show who came up with the idea to bring back the product to promote the highly-anticipated season as it takes place in 1985, when the beverage first made its debut.
However, it was not successful as Coca-Cola pulled it from shelves only months after releasing it due to negative consumer reviews.
New Coke was later renamed Coke II, which was also short-lived.
Coca-Cola tweeted a video featuring the cast of the show drinking New Coke to announce the release.
Everyone: I don’t think Stranger Things can get any more 80’s.
Stranger Things: Hold my New Coke… #StrangerThings3 #Enjoy pic.twitter.com/xnCGY1dkrQ— Coca-Cola (@CocaCola) May 21, 2019
According to Variety, the company will also launch an ad in theaters to remake the original 1985 ad directed by the Duffer brothers who create Stranger Things.
In case you’ve never seen it, you can see one of the original ads for New Coke below.
New Coke released today 1985—one of biggest mistakes in US business history: pic.twitter.com/KSHjYKowb8
— Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) April 23, 2019
The news comes after the show released a new teaser showing a pool party, where Mrs. Wheeler can be seen drinking a New Coke at the :18 mark.
After all of this hype, it’s no surprise many people wanted to go online and grab a few cans of the old school beverage. However, there were a series of site issues that lead to people having a lot to say online about the launch.
Check out some of their tweets below.
Got through. Tried to order. Failed right after. #NewCoke pic.twitter.com/FiSlYvcGRX
— Jeff D King of the Monsters (@JeffDLowe) May 23, 2019
Got through. Tried to order. Failed right after. #NewCoke pic.twitter.com/FiSlYvcGRX
— Jeff D King of the Monsters (@JeffDLowe) May 23, 2019
Uh, ya done messed up a-a-ron! #NewCoke @CocaCola #StrangerThings pic.twitter.com/zuQv4NWQO6
— Houston (@radiohouston) May 23, 2019
The stages of grief:
1. 504 errors
2. 502 errors
3. 503 errors
4. Actually drinking #newcoke— David (@davidnelson34) May 23, 2019
Say the line, #NewCoke! pic.twitter.com/Rf8HYNU3Ax
— Chris Glass (@TheChrisGlass) May 23, 2019
Wow. @CocaCola just deleted their tweet announcing the return of #NewCoke because their site has been down since launch. I hope they return with a working store and a LOT more stock! We need our 1985 fix! #StrangerThings3
— Houston (@radiohouston) May 23, 2019
#NewCoke launch having issues…. sounds a little too familiar… Accident? or the most meta launch plan ever? pic.twitter.com/pPWg6cKy3G
— Aaron (@imthewinterwind) May 23, 2019
Needless to say, people weren’t happy. However, the site appears to be working now. If you’d like to give it a try and order some New Coke before the Stranger Things season three premiere, you can do so here.
More Stranger Things news
Along with the new teaser, the show dropped a series of stylized posters fitting for the summer aura of the forthcoming season. The posters depict the following main characters against a backdrop of fireworks: Eleven, Max Mayfield, Dustin Henderson, Steve Harrington, Nancy Wheeler, Will Byers, Jonathan Byers, Joyce Byers, Jim Hopper, Mike Wheeler and Lucas Sinclair. However, two previously minor characters also seem to have gotten their own posters: newcomer Robin, played by Maya Hawke, and Lucas’ sister Erica, played by Priah Ferguson.
You can check those out below.
one scoop can change everything pic.twitter.com/208MeAF5Md
— Stranger Things (@Stranger_Things) May 20, 2019
one friendship can change everything pic.twitter.com/ts4XcZ3u6r
— Stranger Things (@Stranger_Things) May 20, 2019
one jopper can change everything pic.twitter.com/xVbLdOKRZX
— Stranger Things (@Stranger_Things) May 20, 2019
one jancy can change everything pic.twitter.com/xhzBTsy1Vn
— Stranger Things (@Stranger_Things) May 20, 2019
one billy can change everything pic.twitter.com/i8Naob1NpR
— Stranger Things (@Stranger_Things) May 20, 2019
OUR BOYS CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING pic.twitter.com/2DCglAOzXm
— Stranger Things (@Stranger_Things) May 20, 2019
Stranger Things season three hits Netflix July 4th. Check out a trailer below.
What do you think of the failed New Coke launch? Sound off in the comments below!
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