Cocaine

This is unbelievable!!!!!! Maybe I am a little behind the curve, but this is my first time to here of the new energy drink called Cocaine. Talk about marketing!!! It’s obvious this strategy blurs the lines of ethical marketing, but think about it. In a market that is flooded with up and coming products, they have found a way to make theirs stand out. Acclaimed to be three times as strong as a Red Bull, made with natural sugars, and references to the illegal drug like the numbing of your tongue, this product has caused a huge following. With their own MySpace, http://www.myspace.com/drinkcocaine, Cocaine has submerged themselves right into the belly of their target market (no pun intended). The outcry for the energy drink is crazy. If you visit their myspace, you’ll see what I am talking about. There’s obviously a black market for this completely legal energy drink, these people cannot get enough.

The marketing scheme is simple: an energy drink should give you a boost of energy comparable to speed or cocaine so why not give it a comparable name.

However, I am all too aware of the flip side so don’t start bashing me yet. Naming any type of substance kids can easily get their hands on after an illegal drug can only cause harm to those unaware. Kids already grow up way too fast in our nonstop, morally low society of today. They become aware of things they shouldn’t far before they even know the consequences, or for that matter consider them. Say a young boy knows nothing about the illicit drug cocaine and is offered this energy drink called cocaine. He drinks it and likes it. The next day someone offers him the real thing only you have to snort it. What do you think is going to happen then?!

I applaud the makers of this drink for their innovation and insightfulness of their market, but if they had given any thought to the consequences themselves, they would have found a better name or found their niche elsewhere.

www.drinkcocaine.com

http://appserver.marketingpower.com/blog/marketingnews/2006/09/high_and_dry.html#comments

PS: I would love to try it.

Comments

[JeffLaw]

This was a great example of a company coming out with a product and making themself stand out from the rest. Even though I do not total agree with the name of the name it did serve its purpose.

[BrianS]

Wow, is about all I can say after hearing about this Energy drink. I have a strong suspension that many people after they hear this product name will be out to defeat them.

Honestly I’m not inclined to drink an energy drink. A nice hot cup of Java would work for me. Providing it’s a regular plain cup and no fu fu.

Another Tipper Gore type story will surely follow. But, whether I agree or disagree they are selling the product. Looks as though momentum of this product grows and it’s increasing their pocket books, the strong negative publicity earning attention from a NY councilman could hurt those same pocket books and cause this wild marketing idea to die just as fast at it grew.

[Just Rosie]

I don't think it was all that creative naming their product cocaine. I'd say is was a gutsy marketing strategy. I suppose to all those cocaine users out there this drink would be a treat. "No snorting required." I'm curious, how does this company know their product offers the same effect of speed or cocaine? This product is way too cool for me.