Sierra Mist gets new formula and advertising campaign

Pepsi-Cola North America Beverages is changing Sierra Mist, its lemon-lime soda, into "Sierra Mist Natural," which the company says will be made with real sugar. The drink will have no preservatives, no artificial flavors and no caffeine.

"New Sierra Mist Natural has been stripped of everything artificial," said Kristina Mangelsdorf, vice president of natural and flavored sodas at PepsiCo. She said the reformulation is "in line with the times and consumer preference."

PepsiCo called Sierra Mist Natural the first major innovation to come out of PepsiCo's North American beverage division since PepsiCo bought its two largest bottlers earlier this year. The soft drink will get a new advertising campaign from San Francisco-based Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, with the tagline, "The soda nature would drink if nature drank soda." Television ads aimed at the brand's 25-39 year-old target consumer will appear on Dancing with the Stars and The Event. Similarly, print ads are planned for publications including Men's Journal, Everyday Food, and People Magazine.