Why Products Fail

 Like a one hit wonder, many products are short lived and unsuccessfully launched. Some products may seem revolutionary, but there is simply no market for it. Remember the clear Pepsi ads in the 90s? These products flopped because Pepsi failed to read their consumers- who apparently felt there was no need to change the original Pepsi. Consumers at this point in history felt content with their cola, and apparently did not react well to the new product. Competition is the name of the game, especially in the monopolized cola industry; Coke and Pepsi have constantly tried to capture consumer behavior in the form of a beverage. The launch ad for Crystal Pepsi I have included- speaks volumes.

          It’s a risky endeavor and one can never be sure, what it is these mysterious consumers want- Especially now that technology has practically given us the keys to everyone’s hearts. Needless to say Crystal Pepsi’s popularity quickly fizzled (although we still remember the brand and the product!) Maybe it flopped because it was too much like the original and there was no need for Pepsi to be clear. Or maybe Crystal Pepsi wasn't quite as good as the original, either way there is no room for this product on shelves anymore, only in my memories- of the glorious days we call the early 90s. That being said, I bet relaunching crystal Pepsi might actually work, because today's consumers are looking for something different- and maybe they're sick of seeing the same old Pepsi and are feeling nostalgic. People love to see old products relaunched- if crystal Pepsi relaunched those who never got to try it would want to, and those who once loved it would get to enjoy it again, and those who hated it might have to buy one to remind them of why they didn't like Crystal Pepsi in the first place. 

The flip side to this coin is that the failure of one product, can lead to the success of another. In 2007, Microsoft disappointed consumers with the popular and much anticipated launch of Windows Vista. According to Harvard Business Review, “Vista flopped, and Apple lampooned in an ad campaign 'I’m a Mac', causing many consumers to believe that Vista had even more problems than it did”. Wow, you know what? Vista was the last straw that launched me into becoming an ilover. I’m thinking Microsoft directed the supposed $500 million for marketing towards the wrong audience and completely failed to read their consumer's behavior. Look out Microsoft; Apple seems to understand consumers, like parents know when if their kids are lying.

http://hbr.org/2011/04/why-most-product-launches-fail