New Pepsi NEXT, the cola to deliver real cola taste with 60 percent less sugar, unveiled the world's first "Internet Taste Test," a digital incarnation of the product's premise, "Drink it to Believe it." Focused on driving consumer trial and brand engagement, the Pepsi NEXT marketing campaign encourages consumers to take their first sip of the game changing cola, whether it's across 800 Walmart Supercenters or more than 40 cities conducting sampling events nationwide or online via the Internet Taste Test.
The Internet Taste Test, a unique experience on www.facebook.com/pepsinext, invites cola lovers to opt in for a chance to watch themselves "taste" new Pepsi NEXT through the power and humor of improv. Funny or Die comedians and actors will do their best impressions of selected consumer and notable personalities' "online personas" trying Pepsi NEXT, using relevant information from their profiles, such as recent "experiences" and "likes."
"To launch Pepsi NEXT, we're focused on getting consumers to 'Drink it to Believe it' – even online, in a fun and uniquely digital way," said Shiv Singh, head of digital, PepsiCo Beverages, in a prepared statement. "The Pepsi NEXT Internet Taste Test demonstrates how a brand can utilize social media to create consumer-driven, personalized branded entertainment."
The Internet Taste Test kicks-off with a video starring actor and comedian Rob Riggle who describes how the test works while watching his online persona "trying" Pepsi NEXT and referencing his "likes," from skeet shooting to painting with water colors. In addition to Riggle's "how-to" video, fans can also watch humorous video impressions featuring notable figures in social culture "taking their first sip," including Internet mogul Gary Vaynerchuk and Internet meme, Scumbag Steve.
The Pepsi NEXT Internet Taste Test was created by the internal PepsiCo Beverages team, digital agency The Barbarian Group and Funny or Die. The shoot will take place in Los Angeles over the course of five days, using four simultaneous sound stages and 12 notable Funny or Die improv comedians. The fan videos will then be edited and posted back to selected users in approximately 24 hours of the shoot.
Pepsi NEXT, the first cola to deliver real cola taste with 60 percent less sugar, is now available nationwide. Come experience Pepsi NEXT by visiting facebook.com/pepsinext and share your "Drink it to Believe it" experience on Twitter with @pepsinext.
For more information regarding new Pepsi NEXT visit http://www.multivu.com/mnr/54979-pepsi-next.
