Coke vs. Pepsi will Teach You to be Rich

When I'm not reading about soda...or Pro Wrestling (what did you think about the Draft? Not the NBA draft...the WWE draft.) I'm reading blogs about Leadership and Marketing.

OH! You didn't know I had a Day Job?!

So of course, I took great interest in a blog post that began like this:
"Do you think you could tell the difference between a Coke and Pepsi?

Of course you do.

When I was an RA in college, my residents insisted they could, so I bought Cokes, Diet Cokes, Pepsis, Diet Pepsis, and a generic soda to test them. Of those who tested, every one insisted they could tell the difference.

Only 3 out of 47 could."

The blog is written by Ramit Sethi, and his blog is called I will Teach You to be Rich. You can read the entire post here.

Actually, the post goes on to describe a very interesting book about Psychology and how it relates to Business Decisions.

Did I mention that when I was 15 I took the Pepsi Challenge...and chose Coca Cola?!
I did not go to college with Ramit; this was in front of a Shop Rite in my town.

So, what did we learn today?
1) a college student got the same result at his local college as some Marketing Firms did in their multi-million dollar studies.

2) I was more interested in the WWE 'draft' than I was in the NBA draft

3) Ramit Sethi is an interesting guy...and he can teach you to be Rich!


...and remember - you can read about all things Soda at the Coke vs. Pepsi lens:
www.Squidoo.com/CokeVsPepsi

Energy Drinks...Kicking Soda's Ass

I'm still drinking Soda and loving every moment of it.

Energy drinks are still taking the market by storm...the market is up over 35% based on some reports I've read recently.

However, I'm too cheap and too hyper to begin with to drink Energy drinks. If you've met me, you know i have a bundle of all-natural energy. If they can can me, I'd be the highest caffinated, highest sugar-content product on the market. (I'd probably taste lousy, though). Don't misunderstand me...I don't take in much caffeine and sugar other than my Soda and Chocolate fixes...I'm just naturally wound up.

What really amazed me today is that there are HUNDREDS of energy drinks out there, and more coming out each week! So other than drinking a Red Bull because your co-worker does (or because it tasted good mixed with Vodka at that last Frat Part you went to...!) how do you know which ones to drink?

Today, I'll share with you some websites I've found that rate Energy Drinks.
Take their advice with your own discretion. Remember, I haven't drunk one yet...

Screaming Energy has a VERY cool web page. The number of cans they show is almost scary!

Energy Drinks Rating has been around since April of 2006, and it's also a Blogger.com supported site.

Energy Drinks Review was last updated LAST month, and they seem to be in a state of transition...but they are worth checking out just so you get a well rounded opinion.

Here's another blog called Energy Drink Reviews. You EDR-ers are gonna have to fight it out on your own for ownership of the name. Personally, I'm diggin' the black background on this blog.

OK, if these 4 sites can't help you wade through the ocean of Energy Drinks out there, then you need to go the route I go and suck down a Mountain Dew for sugar (See it glow in the dark HERE), a Pepsi for contemporary taste, or a Coca Cola for a dose of nostalgia.

Also remember to visit www.Squidoo.com/CokevsPepsi for all things soda.

Obama Cola! Drink your Vote of Support!

Jones Soda is AWESOME! Whenever I think they've run out of cool things to promote...they find something ELSE to slap on their label!

Are you pleased that Barack Obama won the Democratic Nomination? Do you think he can win the Presidency? Do you think people would buy a bottle of COla if his name and face was on the label?!

Now you can buy OBAMA COLA from Jones Soda!

OR...and I didn't write this in the headline...maybe you are a McCAIN fan?
How about an Ice Cold Republican Soda with Johnny's face on it??!?!

I kid you not!
Click here and drink your vote!

Your purchase is a vote.
Drink your Vote.

Disclaimer - those of you buying Hilary Colas will not neccesarily get her elected...but it's nice to see that you won't give up...!

Brought to you by Coke vs Pepsi

A Tiny Soda Gallery in Texas

Today I surfed around, looking for something to write about, and I came across a blog called The Soda Gallery - All Things Soda.

Well! THAT took me by suprise!
Did they rip me off my idea?
Did I rip THEM off?!
How did THIS happen?!??!

But then I read a bit and I really liked what I saw. The soda gallery is a store in Texas that sells All Things Soda...and what a colelction of flavors they have! Their blog is a nice way to update everyone about what they are doing that's new each day/week.

Some cool things I saw on thier site, by way of example, include Zen Master Lemon Lime (I'm a big fan of all things Zen and Middle Eastern) and Moxie Cream Soda.

I like this Soda Gallery, and I'm excited about showing some support. They are, as they write in their in blog, "...a tiny company with under 10 employees." so they've got to be a nice bunch. They also happily snub their nose at Proposition 65...a silly little law that I would not have known anything about if I hadn't stubled across their website!

They are also regularly looking for returnable deposit bottles of Dr. Pepper. YOu know how I like Dr. Pepper! (Normally, I'd use this next sentence to plulg my love and admiration for my GrandMa. Not today. That would be self-serving and redundant. Giving props to my GrandMa, that is. Gone 3 years now and not a day passes that i don't miss her. But I'm not going to mention her today. Nor will I mention that I am looking at a picture of her on my desk as I write this. Not today.)

So, if you live in the Dallas area of Texas, please make your way over to the Soda Gallery on North Bishop Ave and buy a case or two of something cool and refreshing.
And tell them that SodaIsGood sent you!

Disclaimer - I have no financial ties to the Soda Gallery. They never heard of me.
I'm just a guy who started out chronicling the Coke vs. Pepsi war, after all!
They probably think I'm not even worthy of acknowledging. Like some centipede. Gosh, that's low. And hurtful. *sob*. I'm gonna drink a soda now and sulk...

Soda Break - the Charity of eCommerce

This space is generally reserved for my thoughts and ideas on Soda.
(By the way...today at Taco Bell I broke away from my usual 75% Mountain Dew-25% Sprite combination to drink a Cherry Coke. Actually, my burito was REALLY spicy and I "refilled"...a practice I try to avoid because Cocal Cola makes me burp. A Lot!)

HOWEVER - a friend of mine has undertaken a project that I think is worthwhile and downright 'neat'...and since she likes Soda also, I am using this otherwise hallowed ground to talk about her.

You'll need to go to www.FundsForUs.com to follow along. Go there, look around, then come back and read this.

FundsForUs.com allows customers to raise money for their favorite school or non-profit organization…just by shopping!

Now you can raise funds for your favorite school or non-profit organization AND save yourself money while you shop on line, thanks to this new online retailer.

What’s unique about Funds for Us’ approach to fundraising is that every item listed on the website offers a “donation value,” allowing the customer to see exactly how much money from their purchase will be donated to the designated beneficiary.

At the checkout process, customers are given a choice of where they want Funds for Us to send the donation. (Donation values range as high as 25% on several items.) Charity choices include local school programs, animal rescue organizations, social service and environmental groups nationwide.

This innovative website serves as a one-stop source for consumers who want to quickly and easily locate high quality products online while feeling good about their purchase.

“Shopping through Funds for Us helps raise money to assist non-profit agencies who make life better for people, animals, and the environment…and we feel that it helps enhance the shopping experience for the customer as well.” states Jason Colarchik, Director of Sales and Marketing. “We believe that each purchase you make is a vote about how you want the world to be. We hope to help children and adults alike to vote wisely by providing information about causes they may not have even known existed.”

FundsForUs.com sells a variety of products in a wide range of categories, including home furniture and decor, office and pet supplies and garden and gift items. New products are added regularly. The business hopes to position themselves as one of the largest one-stop retail websites that produce the highest donations available.

Site visitors can search for products by price, leading brands or donation values. “We are always encouraging schools and non-profits to register with our site. It is simple, provides no obligation and doesn’t cost them a thing. After they register, they can begin earning funds immediately and will be sent checks on a monthly basis.“ states Colarchik.

Based in Milwaukie, Ore., Funds for Us is a small privately-owned, family owned business with one simple goal in mind: to provide premium products that help benefit worthy causes while offering small-company customer service superior to that found at leading ecommerce sites.

“Too often, a sales experience is ruined by poor or non-existent customer service.” Colarchik explains. “We make you feel good from start to finish. We offer high quality products, we offer the ability to make donations to fabulous charities, and we provide the highest level of customer service.”

For more information about the company or to purchase products, please visit http://www.fundsforus.com.


...and do't forget to visit the BEST site of Coke vs. Pepsi: www.Squidoo.com/CokevsPepsi

India finds Soda by Accident?

I use Google Analytics to keep tack of the meager traffic I get here.
(Editor's note: I COULD have said that i uze it to keep track of the OVERWHELMING traffic I get here..but find honesty is the best policy).

Anyway, I noticed sometehing unusual today: 11 individuals from the the country of India have come to this blog...but they all spent (apparently) less than 1 second on the page.

So, logic says they clicked on a link, got to me and said (in a thick Indian accent) "Oh NO! This is not very good!" and left.

Oh well. Soda happens.

But since it caught my attention, I thought I would dedicate today's post to the marriage of Soda and India.

You might recall that in the early half of this decade, Coca Cola was accused of using unpure water in their bottling plant in India. You can read a 2008 update from the CokeFacts website here.

HOWEVER, apparently the locals are still unhappy...and protesting!

Wikipedia chronicles the deaths in an Indian Coca Cola plant here.

Depressed? Ok, take a time out and watch this Coke:India commercial on You Tube.


It's not much better for Pepsi.
In mid 2007, BusinessWeek wrote about Pepsi trying to repair it's reputation in India.

Take a time out from this article to watch a "Pepsi India" vid on YouTube.

You like that one? Ok, here is a rather peppy one to add to your colelction.


A google search did NOT reveal ANY articals discussing India compaling about Jones Soda. Doesn't India know that Jones is considered the "Coolest Soda Ever"?!
Sadly, there were no articles bragging about SALES of JOnes Soda in India, either.
Indiana, maybe., but not India.

BTW - here is a groovy, psychedelic YouTube vid of Jones Soda bottles dancing about on the sidewalk.

So what have we learned today?
India hates Pepsi
India hates Coke
India is not too impressed with Jones Soda
India is not too impressed with this blog.

For things that WILL impress you about Soda, go visit our friends at Coke vs. Pepsi

Thanks for your time, and Namaste'

Kung Fu Cola

Jackie Chan...Bruce Lee...Jet Li...

I honestly don't remember what I was thinking last night when it struck me to blog about Kung Fu and Cola. I remember playing with my son...something Kung Fu related I guess...and it struck me to write about Kung Fu and it's involvement (or lack of) with Cola.

So, even thought I cannot remember what my brilliant, Pulitzer-worthy idea was...why waste the effort? I'm sure it will come back to me if I try hard enough.

With that being said, todya I want you to check out these links:

Angleina Jolie and David Beckham star in a Kung Fu Pepsi commercial here.

Kung Fu Quip writes about the cultural differences of Colas here.

Kung Fu Pepsi Short Anime feature is here. (Takes a moment to load, but it's sorta fun...)

The Legend of Coca Cola - Kung Fu! is a cool You Tube vid.

The very enjoyable Jackie Chan Diet Pepsi commercial is seen here.

The Kung Fu Drink Recepie features 7 ounces of Coca Cola and only 2 other ingredients. Still, I think you should only try this if you are a Black Belt at drinking...

Ok, cheeck THIS out - a Pepsi commercial featuring Chinese Boy Band 'F4'.

Here's a You Tube vid called Kung Fu Cola...but I don't get the connection. Maybe it's me.

So, in all, there are plenty of Kung Fu Cola-related pieces of interest out there in cyberspace...but why look for them? You can always come here (or to www.Squdioo.com/CokevsPepsi) to find them!