New Coke craze: ‘Stranger Things’ collaboration has soda in hot demand
New Coke is in high demand — hey, stranger things have happened.
When Coca-Cola changed its soft drink formula in 1985, Atlanta fans were less than enthusiastic.
"They messed up," Marvin Lites said at the time. "You don't change a thing when you got something as good as Coke."
» When New Coke made its disastrous debut
That recipe for disaster is now all the rage, thanks to the Netflix series “Stranger Things.”
Filmed in Atlanta and set in 1985, the show will feature New Coke in multiple episodes of season three as part of an integrated advertising package.
And Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Co. is selling the beverage again, for a limited time.
The high demand was more than Coke could handle, however. The only thing “refreshing” for some fans was the webpage.
» What is New Coke? Coca-Cola drink to return to 'Stranger Things'
If you aren’t successful ordering online, you have another chance.
The first 1,000 guests June 4-6 who buy a full-price, general admission ticket on-site at the World of Coca-Cola in downtown Atlanta will each receive a 12 oz. can of New Coke, the 1985 original recipe, while supplies last. This offer does not apply to online ticket purchases.
Who knew New Coke was so refreshing. I've been refreshing for the last three hours.#cokejokes #newcoke #coke
— The Soda Jerks (@TheSodaJerks) May 23, 2019
So close: I got to the @Stranger_Things New Coke order page. Selected the gift pack with 2 cans of New Coke. And then....504 Gateway Time-out. Very frustrating. This does not spark joy, Netflix! https://t.co/1vkf4BGNht
— TVMoJoe (@TVMoJoe) May 23, 2019
We were just as excited as you, and apologize for the glitch. We’re doing our best to make New Coke available. Stay tuned.
— Coca-Cola (@CocaCola) May 24, 2019
Patience pays off. Don’t feed the @eBay scalpers. You can still get @CocaCola #NewCoke EZPZ https://t.co/Z25cVncVF6
— toyboxone (@toyboxone) May 24, 2019
So, trying to order the #NewCoKe, which is actually now the old @CocaCola, which was a failure at the time, is a failure now. Hmmm, we've come full circle. #StrangerThings have happened. https://t.co/Tpg1ZknW7C pic.twitter.com/QXQG6mxKXg
— Bumble🐝✈✒🌻☕ (@Bumble6671) May 24, 2019
I can do this all night... #NewCoke pic.twitter.com/Ly1CffRO0Y
— RyHo (@RyHoMagnifico) May 24, 2019
....and we’re back to the gateway timeout ladies and gents!!! #NewCoke #StrangerThings3 pic.twitter.com/qNGGoiJKLk
— SuperRetroThrowback (@SuperRetroTBR) May 24, 2019
» Coca-Cola releases first new flavor in more than 10 years
Many fans were successful, however.
I just spent $20 on 2 cans of new coke that everyone hated when it came out in 1985. Capitalism is wild. pic.twitter.com/5hetYEp5tT
— Flea (@Flea) May 24, 2019
Oh yeah! #NewCoke pic.twitter.com/69Kqyb77VX
— Michael Cole (@TheMDCole) May 24, 2019
YAAAAAASSSSSSSS #success #NewCoke pic.twitter.com/lpxGbrxCnx
— Critical Thought (@CriticalBrony) May 24, 2019
visited the upside down and got myself a new coke. thank u @CocaCola and @netflix. this is not an ad, I am just extremely enthusiastic about this immersive effort!!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/2gFmHSwAic
— Sean (@Sean_POBrien) May 23, 2019
Most people on Twitter were just confused as to why people even wanted New Coke.
How many people ordering 1985 New Coke actually remember drinking it in 1985? It was gross. We thanked our lucky soda stars when Coke brought back the classic version. https://t.co/L8jTVcdASn
— Rachel Green Miller (@rachelgmiller97) May 24, 2019
So people are refreshing a webpage for hours and hours trying to give their money to @CocaCola for a product that NOBODY liked in 1985!!?? Even when they fail they don’t fail. Genius marketing for not so genius consumers. Wow! #newcoke #StrangerThings3
— Bo Wideman (@bwideman11) May 24, 2019
Spoiler Alert: New Coke was awful. It was like the punishment for people who said “yes” to “is Pepsi okay?” https://t.co/LCSoKh20Hv
— Crutnacker (@Crutnacker) May 24, 2019
About the Author
Nancy Clanton is a lead producer for The AJC's platforms team, but also writes stories about health, travel, events and entertainment. A native of Knoxville and graduate of the University of Tennessee, she has worked at the AJC for 24 years.
