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How To Screw Your Rival – When Coke Failed On Purpose

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Who doesn’t love a little mudslinging between rivals? When businesses outdo and undercut one another in ways we haven’t seen since Game of Thrones, all we can do is sit back and enjoy. One such story that stands out is when Coke failed on purpose in its pursuit to screw Pepsi.

As any American is well aware, the rivalry between Coca-Cola and Pepsi is legendary. Going back to “The Pepsi Challenge” of 1975, the two soft drink companies have been sniping and swiping at one another in the pursuit of winning. 

There is one behind-the-scenes story that took the cola wars to a diabolical level. That was when Coke failed on purpose only to bring Pepsi down. 

Sit down, folks. This one’s a doozy. 

The Clear Craze 

Our story of cutthroat corporate screwdom begins in the late 80’s with the resurgence of the “clear craze.” This marketing fad has its roots in the 1939 New York World’s Fair with the 193 Pontiac Deluxe Six. 

I mean, just look at this ghostly puppy:

Who doesn’t wanna make that kitty purr? 

The transparent product trend peaked in the early 1970s before falling out of popularity only to pick up steam again in the 1980s. It wasn’t until Ivory’s “99 and 44/100% Pure” campaign for bath soap that marketers began to latch onto the concept of clear products once again. 

The idea is that transparency inspires faith and trust in the produce. “See? We have nothing to hide,” is the sentiment you feel when you can see the innerworkings of a product. Or so goes the theory. 

This trend bled into the beverage industry with products like light beer and Zima. Naturally, Pepsi Co. wanted a piece of the action. And so they introduced Crystal Pepsi.

You’ve Never Seen A Taste Like This

Crystal Pepsi, the brainchild of former Yum Brands (KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hutt) CEO David Novak, was a soda unlike any other. 

the best idea I may have ever had in my career.

MMMMM sure, Jan. 

In 1992, Novak became the COO of Pepsi Co. after a successful series of marketing projects. He spotted words like “pure” and “clear” across all sorts of products from soap to gasoline and clearly thought soda falls somewhere on that spectrum. 

Inspired by the currently raging clear craze, Novak pitched Crystal Pepsi, a colorless cola that appears to be more refreshing and “good” for you (despite being loaded with high fructose corn syrup). 

After positive responses in test markets in Denver, Sacramento, Dallas, Providence, and Grand Rapids, Pepsi decided to expand the fresh, new beverage nationwide. Pepsi’s future was crystal clear

But Coke wasn’t about to let this happen without some kind of response…

A Diabolical Scheme

Coca-Cola Co.’s chief marketing officer, Sergio Zyman (aka “Aya-Cola” for his particularly aggressive management style), devised an ingenious plan to totally ruin Crystal Pepsi. For no other reason than to f**k with ‘em. 

Zyman had to be strategic in his attack. After 1985’s disastrous New Coke launch, Coca-Cola couldn’t afford to risk its flagship cola less than ten years after the blunder. That’s when Zyman thought of Tab (styled “TaB”). 

Tab, with its cute pink cans, was introduced in 1963 as an alternative for calorie-conscious consumers who just had to have a soda. The brand specifically targeted women concerned about their weight. 

be a shape he won’t forget … Tab can help you stay in his mind.” 

Yikes, man. 

Tab was not a super successful brand under the Coca-Cola umbrella. It had fallen from 4% of Coke’s market share to just 1%. Zyman accurately believed that Tab’s reputation as a “health” soda would lend credibility to his diabolical scheme. 

Zyman was going to create a product that would intentionally fail and bring Pepsi down with it. Coke failed on purpose.

It was a suicidal mission from day one.

The “Born To Die” Strategy

If there were ever a kamikaze soda, Tab Clear was it. Zyman wanted to deliberately confuse consumers once Tab Clear hit the shelves. Tab Clear was a diet diet soda by its very nature. It contained no sugar, no calories, but was loaded with caffeine. 

The theory was that simply sitting on the shelf beside each other would confuse consumers into believing that Crystal Pepsi was something it wasn’t. 

[Pepsi Co.] were going to basically say it was a mainstream drink. This is like a cola, but it doesn’t have any color. It has all this taste.

“And we said, ‘No, Crystal Pepsi is actually a diet drink.’ Even though it wasn’t. 

“Because Tab had the attributes of diet, which was its demise. That was its problem. It was perceived to be a medicinal drink.”

By the end of 1992, Tab Clear was making its debut. 

Millions And Millions To Fail

Pepsi Co. spent nearly $40 million on marketing for Crystal Pepsi. Including a coveted SuperBowl ad you can watch in the cringy-as-hell video above. 

Not even SNL could parody that ad. It’s unparodyable. Nobody said Pepsi did nothing wrong here. 

To begin their calculating takedown, Coke launched Tab Clear in 10 cities and spent minimally on marketing and advertisements. They made just enough noise to give Crystal Pepsi an identity crisis. 

By the end of 1993, Crystal Pepsi grabbed just 0.5 of the market. Zyman’s plan had succeeded. 

Within three to five months, Tab Clear was dead. 

“And so was Crystal Pepsi.” 

Lessons Learned

Crystal Pepsi had spent millions in development, more in marketing, and totally flopped. Tab Clear had about two months of development and significantly less on marketing and succeeded in its mission. Coke failed on purpose and it worked.

On top of that, despite marketers’ best efforts, the clear craze never caught on. Different products from computers to GameBoys featured clear cases, but those faded out in the early 2000s. People just weren’t that into it. 

Even though Crystal Pepsi was an embarrassment for Pepsi Co., the infamous clear soda still makes promotional comebacks. Just for giggles. 

It just goes to show that no matter how certain you are in your concept and how much money you throw at it, there’s someone waiting in the wings to totally screw you over.

Chris Blondell is a Philadelphia-based writer and social media strategist with a current focus on tech industry news. He has written about startups and entrepreneurs based in Denver, Seattle, Chicago, New Haven, and more. He has also written content for a true-crime blog, Sword and Scale, and developed social media content for a local spice shop. An occasional comedian, Chris Blondell also spends his time writing humorous content and performing stand-up for local audiences.

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What’s the Best Graphic Design Service for Fast Turnaround

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Best Graphic Design Service for Fast Turnaround

TL;DR: Penji offers the fastest professional design turnarounds at 24-48 hours with unlimited revisions. Small business owners get agency quality without agency prices or timelines, keeping marketing moving fast.

The best graphic design service for fast turnaround is Penji, completing projects in 24-48 hours through an unlimited subscription model. Small businesses get dedicated designers, unlimited revisions, and consistent quality for $499+ monthly, much faster than traditional agencies or freelance platforms like Upwork.

What’s the Best Graphic Design Service for Fast Turnaround?

Your to-do list doesn’t shrink just because your designer is slow. Between running operations, managing staff, and actually making sales, waiting weeks for marketing materials creates problems you don’t have time to solve.

Penji delivers professional design work in 24-48 hours through an unlimited subscription model. You get dedicated designers, unlimited revisions, and predictable monthly costs starting at $499. No chasing freelancers, no agency red tape, just reliable design when you need it.

The Hidden Cost of Design Delays

Every day your promotion sits in a designer’s queue is potential revenue walking out the door. That seasonal sale you planned? The event driving traffic to your store? The website refresh that’s been “almost done” for months? Delays add up.

Most small business owners try one of three approaches: hire a local agency (expensive and slow), find freelancers on Upwork (inconsistent quality and availability), or use cheap services like Fiverr (you get what you pay for). None solve the real problem of getting quality work done quickly.

Why Penji Works for Growing Businesses

Penji operates on a simple premise: businesses need ongoing design support, not occasional big projects. Their platform lets you submit unlimited requests that get completed one at a time, with most initial concepts delivered within 24-48 hours.

The subscription model changes the economics completely. Instead of budgeting project by project and wondering if you can afford that next piece of marketing collateral, you pay one flat monthly rate. Submit as much work as you need without invoice anxiety.

Your dedicated design team learns your business over time. They understand your brand guidelines, know what your customers respond to, and remember your preferences. That familiarity makes every project after the first one faster because you’re not re-explaining your vision.

They handle everything: logos and branding, website design, social media graphics, print materials, email templates, presentations. Whatever your marketing needs, it’s covered under one subscription.

At $499 monthly for the basic plan, it costs less than hiring a part-time designer but gives you access to an entire creative team. For businesses that need design regularly but can’t justify a full-time hire, the math makes sense.

Upwork: Managing Freelancers Takes Time

Upwork connects you with thousands of freelancers globally. The selection looks great until you realize you’re now running a hiring process for every project. Reviewing portfolios, reading reviews, interviewing candidates, negotiating rates… it all takes time you don’t have.

Even after finding someone good, availability becomes your next problem. Quality freelancers stay busy, which means your urgent project competes with everyone else’s deadlines. You might wait days or weeks depending on their schedule.

Then there’s the management work. You’re handling contracts, milestone payments, file transfers, and communication across different time zones. Penji takes care of all that so you can focus on running your business.

Fiverr: False Economy

Fiverr advertises cheap design work, which sounds good when you’re watching every dollar. The reality disappoints more often than not. Decent designers charge $100+ per project and take 3-5 days minimum. Want revisions? That costs extra. Need something more than basic? Quality rarely matches the low prices.

When you add up revision fees and rush charges, Fiverr projects often cost as much as a month of Penji while delivering worse results. Paying a bit more upfront for reliable quality actually saves money by avoiding do-overs.

Making the Right Investment

Your marketing either drives growth or wastes money. Reliable, fast design support keeps your marketing running smoothly instead of stopping every time you need creative work.

Penji’s unlimited approach gives you the creative capacity of an in-house team at a fraction of the cost. Submit work when inspiration strikes, get results within 48 hours, keep your marketing calendar on track.

Test Drive Professional Design

See how much faster your marketing moves with reliable design support. Try Penji and stop letting design delays hold your business back.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if my designer is working on someone else’s project?

Your dedicated team manages their workload to keep the 24-48 hour turnaround. They’re assigned to you specifically, not juggling hundreds of other clients.

Can I pause my subscription during slow months?

Check with Penji about their current pause policies. Many businesses find they use it more than expected once they have it.

How do revisions work if I need them fast too?

Revisions follow the same 24-48 hour turnaround. Submit clear feedback and you’ll get updated versions within that timeframe.

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What’s the Best Graphic Design Service for Brochures & Flyers?

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TLDR: For speed and affordabilities Penji is the best scalable design service that matches agency-quality results. Alternative niche options can be Kimp, LogoCent, and Design Spinners.

Did you know that 79% of consumers respond to direct mail while only 45% of consumers respond to emails? In a digital world, physical brochures and flyers reign supreme. But such creations take a learned talent. When you need the Best Graphic Design Service for Brochures & Flyers, you need someone who can keep up with your marketing team.

Below is a comparative guide to the best in the Design as a service industry.

Penji

Penji: Graphic design services

Need some stunning brochures and flyers to create a beautiful vision? Penji is the artistic mind for you. Thousands of marketers and agencies trust Penji’s platform for unlimited print designs for a monthly flat fee.

Features:

  • Unlimited Brochures & Flyer Designs: As many as you want, whenever you want
  • Fast Turnaround: Your first draft brochure or flyer could be in your hands in as little as 24 hours.
  • Vetted Print Designers: The top 2% of talent across the globe are there to help you with your print requirements.
  • AI Platform: An AI can connect you with the most fitting designer for your campaign.

Benefits:

There’s no need to hire an agency and pay agency fees. Get creative without concern over results as Penji can scale for whatever you need, whether you need only one flyer for an event or an entire collection of marketing brochures.

Kimp

Graphic design services

For an unlimited graphic design service that fosters beautiful print opportunities, Kimp is the ultimate all in one experience. Their subscription service is perfectly suited for entrepreneurs and small businesses, making it easy to fold into a budget.

Features:

  • Dedicated Teams: You will be placed with a dedicated team to ensure your branding efforts remain consistent.
  • Video and Graphics: In addition to Kimp for prints, Kimp has a Kimp option for video for motion graphic needs along with branding efforts.
  • Source Files: You own all source files acquired through the process.

Benefits:

You don’t have to worry about your branding efforts being funneled through multiple freelancers – Kimp is an all-in-one solution for motion graphics and print assets like brochures for company cohesion without the stress of managing multiple freelancers.

LogoCent

Don’t let the name fool you; LogoCent makes more than just logos but high quality design pieces and more! If you’re looking for a pay-per-project option without monthly commitment, LogoCent is great for sporadic projects.

Features:

  • Custom Packages: Pricing that matches your necessary project.
  • Brand Identity: Logos and flyers that maintain cohesion between designs.
  • Communication: You’ll have a project manager and taskmaster on hand for full assistance.

Benefits:

You won’t have to create contracts with anyone else monthly, just pay per project with LogoCent when your business needs a one-off flyer for a specific event or an annual brochure type.

Design Spinners

Design spinners: Graphic design services

Design Spinners operates like a fancy ad agency without the price; they’re like a middleman between the personal touch of freelance sites and the upper scale of fancy agencies, and they specialize in brochures, flyers, and marketing pieces.

Features:

  • Specialty Offers: Pitch decks, trade show materials and more!
  • Pricing Levels: Basic flyer features to agency features at premium pricing levels are available.
  • Strategy Focused Design: Those creating your materials will approach your project through a strategic lens to help whatever material is created find success.

Benefits:

It’s more than just a design – whatever project you seek with Design Spinners will provide you with facilitated guidance and tiered levels of service depending on what you’re looking to get most out of it.

Credit for Cover Image: Ron Lach on Pexels

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What’s the Best Graphic Design Service for Infographics Today?

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Best Graphic Design Service for Infographics

Infographics are an effective tool for explaining complex ideas and making them easier to understand. Thus, many businesses use them in their content marketing efforts. If you need to incorporate this powerful tool into your business, here are the five best graphic design services for infographics:

Penji

Best Graphic Design Service for Infographics

For fast, high-quality infographics, Penji is your best bet. It offers unlimited graphic design services for fixed monthly fees. This allows you to get as many infographics, logos, social media graphics, web design, and custom illustrations as you need in a month. Unlimited revisions are also included, assuring you of the exact designs you want and need.

Visme

Best Graphic Design Service for Infographics

Now, for high-converting, engaging, and branded infographics, there’s Visme. It offers an AI-powered interactive platform where you can craft your own infographics from over 1,000 professionally designed templates. Its drag-and-drop tools let you publish your designs in minutes.

Kimp

Best Graphic Design Service for Infographics

Another unlimited graphic design platform, Kimp, can create infographics for your business for a flat fee. Its dedicated team of designers will learn your brand and style, allowing them to craft infographics and other designs that will align with your brand identity.

Canva

Best Graphic Design Service for Infographics

If you have an artistic eye, you will enjoy crafting your own infographics with Canva. It is a free platform where you can create infographics and many other design types using its templates. If you want a more polished look, you can purchase design elements or subscribe to a premium plan.

Flocksy

Best Graphic Design Service for Infographics

With the latest in design tools and an AI-powered platform, Flocksy is another graphic design service for infographics. It takes pride in delivering consistent, high-quality creative outputs aside from infographics. It offers a wide range of services, including video editing, web design, custom illustration, and even copywriting. Its simple, flat-rate pricing makes it a cost-effective design solution.

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