Brief Summary In the late 1960s, 7‑Up broke away from cola conventions with its iconic “Uncola” campaign. Instead of competing directly with Coke or Pepsi, it embraced bold visuals, countercultural vibes, and clever messaging to position itself as the alternative choice — ultimately boosting sales and brand identity. Company Involved 7‑Up Marketing Topic Public Reaction or Consequences The campaign struck a chord amid youth rebellion and counterculture movements. Sales reportedly jumped by as much as 30 to 56 percent following the launch. However, by the 1990s, the campaign’s youthful edge aged, prompting a rebrand in 1998. Why It Matters Today

Brief Summary In 1982, seven people in Chicago tragically died after taking cyanide‑laced Tylenol capsules. Johnson & Johnson responded with a full national recall, transparent communication, and tamper‑resistant packaging. Their swift, consumer‑first action restored trust and created a crisis management blueprint. Company Involved Johnson & Johnson Marketing Topic Public Reaction or Consequences The public panicked, sales plunged, and media coverage was intense. J&J’s immediate recall, hotline support, and CEO James Burke’s on‑camera presence earned widespread praise. They sacrificed over $100 million but regained market share within a year. Why It Matters Today 3 Takeaways Notable Quotes and Data Full Case Narrative In late September 1982, seven

Brief Summary In the 1970s, a customer returned a set of used tires to a Nordstrom store in Fairbanks, Alaska. The store accepted the return, even though Nordstrom never sold tires, because the location used to be a different retailer. This story became part of Nordstrom’s brand legend, representing exceptional service. However, it also highlights the importance of boundaries in customer experience strategies. Company Involved Nordstrom Marketing Topic Public Reaction or Consequences The story spread through business books, service training programs, and company folklore. Many praised Nordstrom for putting the customer first. The tire itself is displayed in Nordstrom’s flagship

Brief Summary In April 1985 Coca‑Cola replaced its original formula with a sweeter version known as New Coke. The change aimed to regain market share from Pepsi, which had been gaining ground in blind taste tests and consumer preference. Although the new formula initially tested well, the public reaction was overwhelmingly negative. After just 79 days, Coca‑Cola brought back the original recipe as Coca‑Cola Classic. This incident is now widely cited as one of the most significant lessons in brand loyalty and the emotional attachment consumers have to legacy products. Company Involved The Coca‑Cola Company Marketing Topic Product Positioning, Brand

Brief Summary In 2012, Target used predictive analytics to assign a “pregnancy prediction score” to customers based on their purchasing behavior. The algorithm identified a teenage girl’s pregnancy, prompting her father to complain after she received baby-related coupons. Target later admitted to interspersing baby offers among general household ads to reduce creepiness, but the incident sparked a national outcry over privacy and personalization. Company Involved Target Corporation Marketing Topic Public Reaction or Consequences Why It Matters Today Highlights the tension between hyper-personalization and consumer trust. Serves as a caution for AI-driven lifecycle targeting which is still a privacy concern in