Ubd Framework Course/Unit: Pepsi Challenge

UbD Framework – Course/Unit: Pepsi Challenge

Lesson Summary: To simulate the Pepsi Challenge. Have students experience the landmark marketing strategy of 1975 (started in Dallas, Tx).

Lesson Details:

Required materials: 2 2-liter bottles of Pepsi; 2 2-liter bottles of Coke; 2 tent cards A & B; 80 disposable cups.
Goal/Objective: To simulate the Pepsi Challenge. Have students experience this landmark marketing strategy of 1975.
Send 7 students into pc lab to research everything they can about the Pepsi Challenge from 1975. Give them 15 minutes. Have them work together as they’ll be presenting to the class what they found. Cite references. (note biases)
Have 2 students be pourers in separate room with bottles under table. Only they know what A and B are.
Students complete a card noting preference. They will also circle the drink he/she prefers. First person will be the lookout and usher students back and forth and collect slips of paper.
Next 2 will be number crunchers to come up with stats.
Rest of class will come up with measurable statistics?
What number and percentage of students correctly identified the colas? Can they tell the difference?
What number and percentage of students noted a preference towards one, but incorrectly identified it?
By gender?
What drink does the class prefer?
--Ask penetrating, deep questions from Pepsi’s perspective?
What do they think as consumers?
Second time around: don’t let pourers know which is which. Label A and B.
Blindfold the students so they can’t see.
Add a third cola to see if they can tell the difference.

Marketing Taste Test – 3 web references

Recently, the marketing class at JudsonCollege, conducted a survey of which brand of cola one would prefer after studying the chapter about decision support systems and marketing research. The first cola test evolved in the late 1970's while Pepsi was looking for a creative promotion in it's big problem area: the southwestern United States. Pepsi decided to implement a blind taste test using two different colas, Coke and Pepsi. In this taste test, more than half of the loyal Coke drinkers chose Pepsi over Coke. The promotion was such a huge success, that Pepsi later introduced this taste test into seven other markets throughout the United States. This test later became known as the unforgettable "Pepsi Challenge".

In 1975 - The Pepsi Challenge, a landmark marketing strategy, convinces millions of consumers that the taste of Pepsi is superior.
Duration: 1.5 class periods
Essential/Overarching Questions:
Why was this marketing strategy effective?
What would you have done differently?
Desired Results/Understandings:

Learning Objectives

Students will understand:
Students will know (content):
Performance Objectives:
Students will be able to (skills):

Assessment/Evidence:

Performance Task(s):
Other Evidence: