Hello SURGE Fans and welcome to the 114th edition of SaveSURGE News! As always, we’re fighting to save the soda you love.

It’s the second Friday during National SaveSURGE Month and you know what that means: CALL COKE! We’re asking every SURGE fan to call Coca-Cola, toll-free at 1-800-GET-COKE and request that SURGE be brought back to store shelves. Call as many times as you can!

For more information on National SaveSURGE month, visit www.SaveSURGE.org.

Sightings Report
There were no new SURGE Sightings reported since the last edition of SaveSURGE News.

Sadly, there were 2 deletions in Stevenson Ranch, CA & Kent, WA.

Currently, there are 58 SURGE Sightings listed. Thanks to all of you who keep an eye out for SURGE!

For more info, visit SURGE Sightings at:
http://www.savesurge.org/surge/sightings.shtml

How to Talk to Coke
One of the questions we get from SURGE fans most often is, “What should I say to Coke when I contact them about SURGE?”. Here are a few tips:

1. Be polite – We can’t stress this one enough. It’s perfectly normal to be a little upset about your favorite soda being taken off the market, but remember that the friendly Coca-Cola representatives you speak with on the phone have nothing to do with it. They’re just there to pass along our message to the higher-ups. The nicer we are to them, the more likely they are to pass along our message.

2. Tell Coke how you feel – When they ask why you’re calling, just say that you’re calling them because you want to see SURGE soda back on store shelves. Tell them how much you love SURGE and that you wish it were available to you once again.

3. What about bottlers? – When you request SURGE, the Coca-Cola rep. will most likely tell you that the decision on whether or not SURGE is made available is up to the local bottlers. This is the time to politely say something to the effect of, “I’ve heard that Coca-Cola is no longer producing SURGE syrup so even if my bottler wanted to make it they couldn’t.”

Coke often times will try to pass the buck to its bottlers and effectively blame them for the lack of SURGE in your area. Don’t believe it. Coke obviously has a huge amount of power over what products are made available. Remember, a bottler cannot make a SURGE unless Coca-Cola makes the syrup first.

4. Mention SaveSURGE.org – There is strength in numbers so it’s very important that Coke knows just how united SURGE fans are. Mention SaveSURGE.org in your call and spread the word!

5. Be yourself – You’re requesting a soda, not running for political office. No need to make up a fancy speech. If you’re a little shy on the phone you can even send an e-mail to Coke via their website:
http://www2.coca-cola.com/mail/eQuery_other.html

Follow these tips and help make National SaveSURGE Month a success!

SaveSURGE Radio – The Final Day
I just wanted to mention that today, September 10, will be the last official day of SaveSURGE Radio. It sure was a fun ride while it lasted. I would like to thank those of you who listened and those of who you contributed music. LONG LIVE INDIE ROCK!

“Save Surge – The Movie” DVDs Available
We’d just like to take this opportunity to once again plug the amazing documentary by SaveSURGE.org Hall of Famer Drew Bizzell, “Save Surge – The Movie”. It’ll make you laugh, it might even make you cry and it’s outstanding entertainment! Drew is selling the movies at cost for only $5.00, shipping included. He’s doing this because he wants to spread the word to as many people as possible. Coca-Cola has already received their copy, so what are you waiting for?

Order “Save Surge – The Movie”
http://www.geocities.com/randomness_pictures/savesurge.html

Watch the Trailer
http://www.savesurge.org/surge/drew_movie.shtml

Poll Results – SURGE in the Summer
The latest SURGE Poll asked you: If SURGE came back seasonally like Mt. Dew LiveWire, which season would you want it most?

62.5% - Summer
16.6% - Winter
11.4% - Fall
9.3% - Spring

Total Votes: 96

Summer is the clear winner and it’s a bit of a surprise because Fall is the next season coming up. But hey, we’ll take our SURGE any way we can get it!

That’s all the time we have for this week. Thanks to all of you for your continued support!

Sincerely,

Eric Karkovack
Co-Webmaster
www.savesurge.org