SOFT drink giant Coca Cola will today launch its new sugar-free soda in Australia, giving us a taste before it is released to much of the world.
Coca-Cola No Sugar is the company’s effort to create “the best tasting sugar-free Coke ever“.
As part of the major sales pitch – its largest since Coke Zero was released a decade ago – Coke will give away more than two million free samples.
You will be able to taste the new drink from June 16, as it replaces the black Coke Zero bottles on the shelf.
Australia Coca-Cola president Roberto Mercadé said the drink is the closest they have ever come to the “classic taste” of Coke.
“We wanted the experience of drinking Coca-Cola No Sugar to be as close as possible to ‘The Real Thing’,” Mr Mercadé said.
“That’s no small task when you consider the original has been cherished by consumers for more than a century.”
The softdrink giant’s new drink comes as the US company attempts to keep up with changing tastes.
In the past five years, revenue at the company has fallen 13% over the past five years.
In April, CNN reported the company was cutting 1200 jobs as part of an effort to find savings.
Chief executive James Quincey told CNN the efforts would make the company more agile.
In Australia Coca-Cola Amatil’s revenue has increased in the past five years, although profits have fallen significantly, the ABC reported.
After Australia, No Sugar will be rolled out across more global markets.
Coca-Cola No Sugar will be a permanent fixture on the shelf alongside the label’s other sugar-free versions: Coke Zero and Diet Coke.
The No Sugar cola was released in Mexico last year.
“People are looking for a better balance in their diet and lifestyle, which is why we are changing the way we do things here at Coca-Cola,” Mr Mercadé said.
The free samples will be available via mobile downloads, the Shazam app and at certain billboards.
“We’ve never tried anything this ambitious in terms of giving Australians the chance to try our latest drink for free,” he said.
We want Coca-Cola No Sugar to be within an arm’s reach of wherever you are, whenever you desire.”
(qt)
