Pepsi sues Coke over ads for Powerade sports drink

[isilzha]

Pepsi sues Coke over ads for Powerade sports drink

By Mike Hughlett |Tribune reporter

4:37 PM CDT, April 13, 2009

In a battle of beverage heavyweights, the maker of Gatorade, PepsiCo Inc., has accused Coca-Cola Co. of false advertising in a recent ad campaign for Powerade, a rival sports drink.

The Chicago-based Gatorade Co., a division of New York-based PepsiCo, on Monday sued Coke in U.S. District Court in New York. Gatorade has asked the court to force Coke to stop running allegedly deceptive ads for its Powerade Ion 4 beverage.

In an "aggressive" ad campaign launched two weeks ago, Coke positioned Powerade Ion 4 as "the complete sports drink," Pepsi said in the suit. The ads referred to Gatorade as "incomplete" and "missing two electrolytes" and touted Powerade as an "upgrade."

But there is "no evidence scientific or otherwise" that Powerade Ion 4 is a better sports drink than Gatorade, Pepsi said in the suit.

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[Food Network Fan]

Cola wars!!!

[isilzha]

Rock and Roller Cola Wars, I can't take it anymore

[Bentley Green]

Pepsi sues Coke over ads for Powerade sports drink

By Mike Hughlett |Tribune reporter

4:37 PM CDT, April 13, 2009

In a battle of beverage heavyweights, the maker of Gatorade, PepsiCo Inc., has accused Coca-Cola Co. of false advertising in a recent ad campaign for Powerade, a rival sports drink.

The Chicago-based Gatorade Co., a division of New York-based PepsiCo, on Monday sued Coke in U.S. District Court in New York. Gatorade has asked the court to force Coke to stop running allegedly deceptive ads for its Powerade Ion 4 beverage.

In an "aggressive" ad campaign launched two weeks ago, Coke positioned Powerade Ion 4 as "the complete sports drink," Pepsi said in the suit. The ads referred to Gatorade as "incomplete" and "missing two electrolytes" and touted Powerade as an "upgrade."

But there is "no evidence scientific or otherwise" that Powerade Ion 4 is a better sports drink than Gatorade, Pepsi said in the suit.

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I knew that this would happen. I felt it coming.

What's the big deal? Why can't Coca-Cola be able to produce and manufacture a rival drink to Gadorade and advertise it?

Somehow, I don't think Pepsi will win this one. If Coca-Cola decides to go back to making their cola with pure cane sugar as well, will Pepsi sue them for that as well? Geez!

[BerryBaby]

Having been in advertising for many years, I understand their point. Slamming a competitors product doesn't make the other company look either.

[Bentley Green]

You might be right, but aren't these co's in business to try to remain competitive with each other?

I mean, aren't most co's in business mainly so that customers can pick and choose to judge whose product is the best?

Which is probably why we have different manufacturers of similar products, to allow the consumer to choose between them which ones they'd like?

[BerryBaby]

If companies slam other companies in their ads, I won't buy their products.

Companies should pitch their products on merit alone. Each product offers something different for different consumers. One isn't better than the other, just different.

Tell what your product can do, why you think it is great, and sell me on it.

Slamming is a turnoff!

[tuthead]

What's the big deal? Why can't Coca-Cola be able to produce and manufacture a rival drink to Gadorade and advertise it?

That's not why Pepsi is upset. They are upset that the Coca-Cola Company is claiming to have a better product without providing proof that their product is actually better. It's the same reason Pizza Hut sued Papa John's over their "better ingredients, better pizza" slogan several years ago. That made PJ's have to do actual taste tests that showed their product to be "better.

[Food Network Fan]

Pizza Hut is owned by pepsi.

[tuthead]

Pizza Hut is owned by pepsi.

Good point. I didn't even think about that.