Skimming through brandchannel I came across a blog post regarding Pepsi’s new mid-calorie soda called Pepsi Next. It offers the real cola taste with 60% less sugar than regular Pepsi and only 60 calories. In the past both Pepsi and Coke have tried to introduce mid-calorie sodas with little success. Despite this, Pepsi thinks it has it right this time. Through its research and development Pepsi feels that there is a segment of consumers who are resistant to both regular Pepsi and Diet Pepsi and that Pepsi Next will fill this need. The focus of the campaign is “Drink it to believe it” and the Pepsi Next product launch will involve consumer sampling in over 40 American cities.

I am not too optimistic about this new product. I feel that consumers either want a regular soda or a diet drink and very few people are looking for something in-between. However, if Pepsi Next is really able to recreate the same taste as regular Pepsi maybe it has a chance. If enough people try the sample perhaps it can win people over. Personally, I would not go for it because I feel that if I am going to drink pop, there is no use in trying to be healthy by choosing the “diet” option. I also find the taste of diet sodas very unpleasant. It will be interesting to see whether Pepsi Next can make “believers” out of consumers.