(NEXSTAR) – Coca-Cola is hyping up a “new look and brand identity” for Mr. Pibb, a caffeinated cherry-flavored soda that originally debuted over 50 years ago.
Mr. Pibb (sometimes stylized as “Mr. PiBB”) was first introduced in 1972, reportedly as a competitor for Dr Pepper. (Reports at the time indicate that Coca-Cola attempted to market a beverage called Peppo before Mr. Pibb, but was sued by the Dr. Pepper Company over alleged similarities to its signature beverage.) Mr. Pibb stayed on the market until 2001, when it was reformulated and reintroduced as Pibb Xtra.
Last week, however, Coca-Cola announced that Mr. Pibb is making a “comeback” to replace Pibb Xtra, now with a “revived taste” and 30% more caffeine than its last iteration.
“Consumers have been asking for Mr. Pibb’s bold kick of cherry flavor for some time,” Dane Callis, an executive with Coca‑Cola North America, was quoted as saying in a press release. “If you go on Reddit, X and other social media , you’ll find conversations about the mystique of Mr. Pibb.
“Mr. Pibb has a feisty loyal following, so he’s coming back in a bold, fresh way,” Callis added.
The sodas, which will be available in both original and Zero Sugar varieties, will first be available in select markets within California, Florida, Illinois (Chicago), Michigan and Nevada (Las Vegas). A national rollout is planned for 2026.
Coca-Cola’s announcement also comes at a seemingly opportune time for the company: Reyes Coca-Cola, a Coke distributor that operates in 10 states, had recently lost a licensing agreement to distribute Dr Pepper, meaning that Keurig Dr Pepper (the company that currently owns the Dr Pepper brand) is now allowed to distribute Dr Pepper through its own delivery system. This also means that some venues formerly supplied by Reyes Coca-Cola may not have an immediate Dr Pepper supplier, the Houston Chronicle reported.
A representative for Coca-Cola was not immediately available to comment on whether distributors in the affected regions might be offering Mr. Pibb as a replacement for Dr Pepper, or whether Coca-Cola began planning its revival of the Mr. Pibb brand in anticipation of Reyes losing its distribution agreement.
When contacted, a spokesperson for Keurig Dr Pepper said the company intends to continue supplying Dr Pepper to the affected areas, though perhaps not right away.
“We are building plans to enable a smooth transition of this business and ensure continuity for our customers and consumers for our Dr Pepper trademark,” the spokesperson said.
Source: Fox 8 News Channel
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