Coke has prepared samples of packaging for the new drink and is about 90 percent certain of proceeding with the product introduction, according to Beverage Digest, a trade publication that has been tracking speculation about the drink for several months.
The new drink would be an extension of the basic Coca-Cola line, similar to the introduction of Cherry Coke and, more recently, lemon-flavored Diet Coke. Such line extensions have been the main source of growth for carbonated soft drink vendors in recent years, says John D. Sicher, the editor and publisher of Beverage Digest. Among the six established soft drink leaders, only Diet Coke managed even a slight increase in domestic volume last year, according to figures published by Beverage Digest.
Moderator Comment: Will a vanilla-flavored Coca-Cola be successful?
Any product with the Coca-Cola brand name will get consumer trial. Having the promotional power and distribution system of Coke behind it doesn't hurt either. If it tastes good, its got a shot. We do wonder where the shelf and refrigerated case space is going to come from though. [George Anderson - Moderator]