MexiCoke Sells Itself

While walking through the aisles of my favorite grocery store, I came across a little set up for Mexican Coca-Cola. Well, I’d never heard about it before, so I laughed and took a picture of it. Really, what’s the big deal? I then posted it on facebook with the caption “How is this a selling point?”

I’ve had Coca-Cola in a few different countries, and I have to admit, they all taste the same. So what’s the big deal with Mexican Coca-Cola? As soon as I posted my confusion on Facebook, I got a lot of responses from friends all saying that Mexican Coke was better because it’s made with real sugar and not high-fructose corn syrup. People also said that Mexican Coke just plain tastes better.

I had to wonder, why would Coca-Cola made in Mexico be sold in the US? What’s the soda company’s angle? First off, the product was sold in a glass bottle. Everyone knows that coke tastes better from a glass bottle. However, that’s not the selling point. “Hecho en Mexico” (Made in Mexico) dominated the board behind the coke bottles. Coca-Cola has always admitted that because of price and availability, the recipe will be different from country to country. So, why do Americans like MexiCoke so much?

The answer is in the people. Coca-Cola realized that with so many Latinos in the US, they needed to provide a taste of home. Now, Coca-Cola isn’t stupid, either. Small “cults” of Mexican coke enthusiasts started forming, and keeping track of which stores sold the soda. Because of its rising demand, MexiCoke can now be found at large grocery store chains, like Publix, Kroger, and Costco which can be bought in bulk. Long story short, people just like the product enough for Coca-Cola to distribute it on a wider scale. No crazy marketing scheme, just plain, organic demand.

Now, I have to admit, I was curious enough to buy it. What did I think of MexiCoke? I don’t think it’s a big deal. If you are more of a Pepsi person, you’d love MexiCoke because it is sweeter than the American version. I like American Coca-Cola because it has a bite, or a sharper taste. However, I didn’t really notice much of a difference. If I wasn’t looking for a taste difference, I would not have noticed it. Like Andy Warhol said, “A Coke is a Coke and no amount of money can get you a better Coke than the one the bum on the corner is drinking. All the Cokes are the same and all the Cokes are good. Liz Taylor knows it, the president knows it, the bum knows it and you know it.”

For further insight, check out where I found my info besides Wikipedia:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/11/magazine/11fob-consumed-t.html?_r=1

http://www.ingredientsnetwork.com/news-content/full/davos-2012-coca-cola-to-invest-1bn-in-mexico

http://www.seriouseats.com/2007/05/costco-is-selling-mexican-coke.html

http://blogs.wickedlocal.com/massmarkets/2011/09/12/mexican-coke-is-a-welcome-addition-to-stop-shop-shelves/#axzz1sjXqHtW2

Escape Routes Races to Social Media Fame

Step aside American Idol, there’s a new social show in town, and this time Twitter takes center stage. Today, the cast of NBC’s new show Escape Routes made a pit stop at Zucchero Restaurant in South Miami to talk about how social media is the driving force behind their show’s success. If you haven’t heard of Escape Routes, think of it as a real time Amazing Race where different aspects of the show are manipulated by social media, such as challenge winners can be picked through twitter. 

Today, social media plays such an important role in entertainment in general. It’s almost a breath of fresh air to know that social tv is finally here. At the social meet up held in Miami today, cast members were able to answer questions about how social media has temporarily taken over their lives as they compete against each other to win $100,000 and the brand new 2012 Ford Escape.

Some of the cast members and little me.

The cast members are just as involved in social media as their fans are. Sharon Montero (@LaLocaDR) said “we want you to be a part of our show”. Terrance Terrell (@IAMTERRENCET) agreed, saying that because of social media’s influence on the show he has connected with his fans on a personal level. When asked, “How does social media influence the show”, Host Rossie Morreale (@rossimorreale) answered, “No one’s ever done it. We’re airing as we shoot them. Fans can have a voice. fans can swing the vote… You can actually yell at the TV!”

There’s no doubt that Ford and NBC were smart about pushing the brand new 2013 Escape. It’s one hell of a campaign. Social Media has helped them push the envelope into what people want. People want to interact with their favorite stars, and because social media is so transparent it’s so simple to communicate with the reality stars.

@thePRbunny and @ItzMeTiffany@IAMTERRENCET and @TheIrisHill

Being a self-proclaimed social media junkie, I’ve fallen in love with the show’s concept. By the end of the event, I had already followed every cast member, and even tweeted with them. Here’s how you can too:

FACEBOOK APP: https://apps.facebook.com/escaperoutes/?ref=ts

WEBSITE: http://www.escaperoutes.com/

#EscapeRoutes Cast
HOST: Rossie Morreale @rossimorreale
DIGITAL HOST: Justine Ezarik @ijustine

Contestants:
#teamyoutube
BRETT: @BrettTheIntern 
ROSS: @TheRossEverett

#SouthernGremlins
#GreyTeam
IRIS: @TheIrisHill
TERRENCE: @IAMTERRENCET 

#TeamYellow
CHEKESHA: @ChekeshaJ
TIFFANY: @ItzMeTiffany

#TeamRed
BRE: @AlchemyBre
TARA: @Tarafied87 

#PlatanoExpress
SHARON: @LaLocaDr 
WILSON: @Will_Montero

DREW: @konzybaby
DEREK: @derekkonzelman 

 2012 Ford Escape for #EscapeRoutes

What NASA taught me about Social Media

Over the Easter holiday, I went to Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral. As I walked through the Rocket Garden and heard JFK talk about going to the moon, I realized that social media pros can actually learn a lot from rocket science. here are 3 points that I learned while visiting NASA.

  1. We choose to use Social Media not because it it easy, but because it is hard.
    Let’s face it. Social Media Pros are basically the pioneers of the digital world. It’s basically in our job description to play around on social networks to find out how to take advantage of them. A lot of times, we don’t just learn how to work with different networks, we learn how people use them. In social media, I really do learn every day. I discover new LinkedIn and Facebook groups. I find out new trends and download the coolest apps. I read through feeds and learn about sentiment. As a social media pro, you need to do the same thing. Proudly play online and sift through the friends you don’t really know. Figure out what your audience wants and make social media work for you, whether it’s new content, a new app, or a promotion.
  2. Mission Control is on Earth.
    Now that you’re playing online and learning, it’s time to analyze and build. As much as I would love to just play around on Facebook all day, there comes a time where I have to put what I’ve learned into practice. I use hootsuite for my analytics. Monitor trends and converse with your fans. Keep the line of communication open constantly. If no one’s talking to you, maybe you need to try something different. 
  3. The World is Always Watching
    Always keep in mind just how public the internet is, especially with social media. While at KSC, I realized that every little thing that NASA shot into space was covered by media. This means that everything from a rain delay to an unfortunate mission failure was talked about. Social media makes even the smallest mistakes seem that much more amplified. Don’t post on a whim, or because you feel like you need to post something. Post to connect with people, to provoke insightful conversation, or because you want to be a part of someone else’s conversation. 

I had a blast at KSC. NASA really is an incredible organization. I learned so much about what NASA used to be and what’s to come in the next few years.

Here’s a pic from instagram that I think sums up my NASA experience.
  

My Favorite April Fools Pranks for 2012

From Canada’s West Jet to Google’s answer to multitasking, I think that this year’s April Fools jokes were pretty solid. Here’s my top 5 favorite April Fools pranks of 2012.

1. Google Multitask: Google has decided to take the next step in multitasking by introducing a second mouse. With Google Multitask, you can now click on 2 things at the same time! Be careful though, to avoid clicking on the same thing twice, your computer will automatically shut down.

2. West Jet Kargo Kids: Don’t you hate it when you’re on a flight and there’s a screeching child behind you? West Jet has the answer to your toddler troubles. Just check them in like normal baggage, enjoy a peaceful flight. Worried about your kids? Don’t. They’re safe in the cargo hold with a food trough and plenty of toys to keep them busy!

3. Google Fiber: Google works to upgrade your body and “revolutionize preventative healthcare”. Wouldn’t you want a fiber bar that figures out what kind of nutrients you need? It’s also only 75 calories! “It’s fiberlicious!”
 

4. Sony Vaio Q: With the dawn of tablets, laptops now seem like clunky old machines. Soon, even your ipad will seem… inconvenient. Sony has developed the Vaio Q. The laptop that fits in your shirt pocket! Take that, tablet! It’s so small, it’s cute! It also comes with it’s own “Live View Accessory”.

“Features: 8GB of RAM and gorgeous 0.75” x 1.25” Full HD 1080p. LED backlit display. A pixel density that makes it the sharpest screen on the market today. AMD Radeon™ HD 6650M (1GB) graphics. Extra Lithium Battery Coin (CR2032-B1A) included. LiveView™ accessory and docking station sold separately.”


5. Tom Tom Navigation for Babies: Just like West Jet’s solution for obnoxious children, Tom Tom has developed a way to keep your kid happy while in the car. By testing different voices for their GPS, they have finally found THE voice that will make your kid laugh so hard, they’ll pass out.

OMG! I’m on a blog!

Hello to my one follower…

I’m really excited to start this blog! I’m constantly learning about cool new things that come out with social media, and interesting new strategies for marketing via social networks. I also love pop culture. I’m a HUGE reality TV junkie. I watch everything from The Jersey Shore to the Amazing Race. I love seeing new fads come and go. This is why I’ve decided to start a blog. I want to share what I’ve found with whoever stumbles on to my blog. 

Thanks for reading, 

@thePRbunny