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Hello SURGE & Vault fans and welcome to the 11th edition of The Kick and Rush Gazette! It’s the #1 source for news and notes regarding the world’s finest citrus beverages. Vault Expansion Update: It’s Going National! This is a testament to all of you. The amazing enthusiasm that you have shown for Vault since its test-marketing began in May has convinced Coca-Cola to bring this great beverage to a national audience. I think it’s fair to say that Coke has never seen this kind of reaction to a new beverage before. Some of us were plotting ways to buy Vault before it even came out – kind of like a U2 concert tour! As I’ve reported in the past, folks inside Coca-Cola have said that Vault would never have made it to test-markets this summer without our dedicated community of SURGE fans fighting for the soda we love. While we don’t have SURGE, we do have something that is strikingly similar. Vault is your accomplishment and for that Avery & I are so very proud of you. Just as great as your work to save SURGE has been, your work to ensure the success of Vault has been equally great. Many of you have gone to great lengths just to buy a few cans or bottles. Many have also taken the time to contact Coca-Cola and let their love for Vault be known. Because of your efforts, Vault will be coming to hometowns across the country in 2006! When that great day comes in 2006 and Vault is just a trip to our nearest store away, let’s make sure to take a moment and remember how we got there. A lot of letters, a lot of calls and a lot of heart went into this. Let’s also remember that SURGE is the reason we all came together in the first place. In a perfect world we’d like to have it back but judging from the reaction to Vault so far, this is an accomplishment we can all take pride in. Vault will be a success and it’s all because of you! Please stay tuned for the latest information regarding Vault’s national launch as more details become available.
What’s New at VaultKicks.org: Sam Compares Vault to Mello Yello – Sam says that he thinks Vault is more reminiscent of Mello Yello than SURGE. Find out why right here. What’s New at SaveSURGE.org Watch the SURGE Commercials! – Did you know that SaveSURGE.org has a section dedicated to the original SURGE commercials? In fact, we have 9 commercials for you to watch! Check them out here. SaveSURGE.org in the Press – Over our 3+ years of existence, the SaveSURGE.org community has received a good amount of press coverage. Find articles, TV interviews and more at here.
Recently, Coke redesigned Fresca’s packaging and also introduced two new flavors to the brand: Sparkling Peach Citrus and Sparkling Black Cherry Citrus. Just the other day I received some sample bottles along with some other swag touting the brand’s rebirth. First, let me say that the new logo is a huge improvement over Fresca’s previous look. The old design made it look more like a store brand than a Coca-Cola product. The new look is bolder, more colorful and even a little futuristic. Now, as for the sodas themselves. I admit that I have never been a fan of the American version of Fresca. The diet aftertaste is a little too strong for me. In places such as Mexico, Fresca is not a diet beverage and is actually sweetened with sugar. The taste of Mexican Fresca is dead-on with that of America’s “Citra”. Still, I was willing to give the original and two new flavors a fair shake. Here’s what I thought: Sparkling Citrus: This is the original Fresca flavor. There doesn’t seem to have been any tweaking of the formula, which will definitely please hardcore fans. An initially pleasant grapefruit taste quickly gives way to a burning diet aftertaste. Definitely an acquired taste. Sparkling Peach Citrus: Of all three Fresca flavors, this was by far my favorite. I’m not usually a fan of peach drinks but this one was subtle and actually masked the diet aftertaste perfectly. It’s hard to even tell that it is a diet soda. I wouldn’t mind drinking this one again. Sparkling Black Cherry Citrus: There aren’t a lot of sodas out there with a black cherry flavor and I give Coke credit for releasing something a little different. The initial taste is quite good but, unlike the peach flavor, this one is unable to mask the diet aftertaste. Diet drinks are an acquired taste. Some people absolutely love them and some would rather drink the calories! I fall into the latter category but I will say that Fresca Sparkling Peach Citrus was a very pleasant surprise. The bottom line is that if you were a Fresca fan before, you certainly won’t be disappointed now. Plus, the addition of new flavors will give diet drinkers some alternative choices when looking for their daily soda fix. You can find out more about Fresca at: http://www2.coca-cola.com/presscenter/newproducts.html
1. What do you think about our community? 2. Besides soda, what are your other interests? 3. Who are you five favorite bands or artists? 4. Have you seen any good movies lately? 5. Who's your World Series pick? Thanks to Marty for taking the time to speak with us! You may want to check out this blog, Minnesotan Pride, at www.mnpride.blogspot.com. That’s all the time we have for this week. Thank you all for your continued support! Sincerely, Eric Karkovack
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Coca-Cola wants you to “Discover Fresca. Again.” as their new ad campaign states. One of the original diet drinks when it came out in 1966, the citrus-flavored Fresca has been around for a long time and, much like SURGE, has a strong cult following.