On the Importance of Consistency

cocacolavspepsi.jpg

I never thought I'd take a lesson from Coca Cola, but this great graphic at Thinkingalaud on the history of Coca Cola and Pepsi logos is a great example of the importance of consistency in branding, whether for a small crafting business or a multinational behemouth (via Swiss Miss). [Note: apparently this is a fairly simplified timeline; for a discussion of the brand evolution and a more accurate timeline, go here. I still like the idea, though, so I thought I'd share it anyway.]


Recent Entries

Comments

Newest comments listed first.

Posted by: A. on August 12, 2009 at 5:41 PM

One could argue that yet Pepsi has changed their identity over the years... their logo is still just as consistent as Coca-Cola's. Yes they made more visible changes but what's important to notice about their changes is that they still maintained their elements from change to change. In the end their new logo looks just as Pepsi-esque as the first one. The never lost sight of who their company is and what it looks like even throughout the changes.


Posted by: Sophie Choukah on August 9, 2009 at 7:38 PM

The Pepsi Challenge

Actually, for the Pepsi Challenge, Pepsi only won when people took a sip of the product, because of the sweeter taste. But if they had to drink to whole can, they preferred Coca-Cola, because it was less a "possibility for blood sugar overkill". Which is why Coca-Cola had a bigger part of the market than Pepsi did.You can read that in Buy.ology, the book of Martin Lindstrom, p.25...very good book by the way.


Posted by: commercial artist on August 9, 2009 at 11:09 AM

Sorry, but this timeline is not 100% correct. Coca-cola logo had many variations from the beginning...
What's the point of giving wrong information on a post?


Posted by: Neural on August 8, 2009 at 11:39 PM

"fairly simplified"? Coca Cola had many variations too, with the difference that they almost alway kept their font, but changing the logo widely, and also the name when they went "Coke", like if they wanted a short name like Pepsi had.

I'm sorry sir, but posting about the "simplified timeline" as an example of logo consistency differences between coke and pepsy, when you already know it isn't so simple at all, is plain stupid.


Posted by: russianconcussion on August 8, 2009 at 9:14 PM

I think it's more interesting that Coke only got its foothold through using addictive amounts of cocaine in the original recipe, hooking millions of customers before dropping the drug. Also, if you research the history, Pepsi was the first drink to advertise as a "refreshment" beverage, whereas Coke was founded as one of the many nonsensical medical remedies of the day. And - lest we forget the Pepsi Challenge - well, I'm sure you know where I stand.


Posted by: Jen on August 7, 2009 at 8:05 AM

the important thing is that diet pepsi tastes better!


Posted by: insub2 on August 7, 2009 at 7:50 AM

Claiming that the current logo is also the very first logo from 1885 isn't simplification. Why not just use the correct timeline?


Leave a comment



Welcome to the CRAFT Blog! Your daily source for craft projects and inspiration.

MAKE Maker Shed Maker Faire MAKE television


Social CRAFT

Be a CRAFT fan on Facebook CRAFT on Facebook
Visit our Facebook page and become a fan of CRAFT!
CRAFT Twitter CRAFT on Twitter
Follow our CRAFT tweets!
CRAFT Flickr Pool CRAFT on Flickr
Join our CRAFT Flickr Pool and your photo could be featured in Becky's Sunday CRAFT Flickr Roundup!

November's Theme & Contests
Super Crafty Kids
CRAFT: Singer Contest - Me, My Scarf, and I
rightrail_loomalong.gif
Holiday Gift Guides 2009
For the Foodie
Gifts from the Maker Shed

Daily Tweet a Tip
    craft_tips on Twitter

    Sign up for the CRAFT Newsletter
    Our CRAFT newsletter covers upcoming themes and news from the blog! You can also see the archive of past newsletters.


     


    Get the CRAFT Daily Email
    Enter your email address to receive a daily email roundup of all of the day's posts on CRAFT:




    Craftzine Authors

    Natalie Zee Drieu.Natalie Zee Drieu
    Senior Editor
    | Twitter


    Becky Stern.Becky Stern
    Associate Editor
    | AIM | Twitter


    Rachel HobsonRachel Hobson
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    Brookelynn MorrisBrookelynn Morris
    Contributing Writer


    Suggest a Site!

    Dale DoughertyDale Dougherty
    Editor & Publisher
    | Twitter


    Shawn ConnallyShawn Connally
    Managing Editor
    | Twitter


    Goli MohammadiGoli Mohammadi
    Associate Managing Editor

    Arwen O'Reilly GriffithArwen O'Reilly Griffith
    Staff Editor





    Why advertise on CRAFT?
    Read what folks are saying about us!

    Click here to advertise on CRAFT!


    Current Podcast

    itunes_p.jpg CRAFT Pattern Podcast: Katalin Möbius Wrap & Wristlet Set This week's CRAFT Pattern Podcast is the Katalin Möbius Wrap & Wristlet Set by Shannon Okey of knitgrrl, featured in CRAFT: 10. This cozy pair knits up fast and looks best in any multicolored yarn you like. Catch up More...



    Craft Categories
    www.flickr.com
    photos in Craft More photos in Craft Flickr Pool
    www.flickr.com
    photos in MAKE More photos in MAKE Flickr Pool

    Advertise here.

    Recent Posts in the MAKE Blog