quietfanatic
Ancient One
I watch nearly every doco on Australian television (any network related to Rupert Murdoch doesn't count) and saw an interesting BBC production about the Cola Wars. Not between Pepsi and Coke, but with emerging brands of 'Islamic Cola'. The case study involved Pakistan but this trend might be more common than I think.
The anti-American feeling in the Islamic world has led to pressure groups such as religious political parties and community leaders trying to boycott the products of 'American Imperialists' and their false ideals. Effectively cashing straight into the resentment are some Pakistani businessmen based in the UK that have set up brands of Cola to oppose the multinational giant. The two examples in the doco were the brands of 'Mecca Cola' and 'Qibla Cola' which both use the red bottle and colour-scheme of the original, although one claims that this just happens have the same colours as the oppressed Palestinian's flag. Although small, they met with huge success as first with the Islamic community in Britain and seek to gain a large share of the market in Pakistan. Because Pakistan is a warm, predominantly Islamic state, alcohol is illegal and hence, the potential market for Cola is huge. The selling point is that they are good muslims who want to oppose the US and have good values and ideals. "They sell the American dream and we sell the Islamic dream" They really all sell the same sort of thing but the political impact of the Islamic Colas is helping them to thrive.
Of course Coca Cola is not at all happy with this oppurtunistic development and feels betrayed as Pakistan is a major producer which is well treated by the company. To combat the feisty little competition they are trying to crush them, as usual, with overwhelming advertising and emphasizing how good they have been for Pakistan (2% of national tax income comes from Coke). Nevertheless, they are losing customers slowly but surely purely for idealogical and religious reasons to the new competitors. Coke could take legal action over the copyrite violation but the resulting publicity would be the best thing for the 'honest vicitms of corporate bullying'.
In Australia our great biscuit company, Arnotts, was bought out by new American owners and an Australian businessman tried to compete in the same way. If you haven't had tim tams then your life is incomplete. The guy sold copies as T Ts, and everyone bought them as they were 100% Australian made and owned. Unfortunately his product was also 100% shite and so Arnotts still rules the supermarket. It is just a much better made and marketed product. Will this be the same fate of the Islamic Colas? Not necessarily, in Peru Inca Cola is popular and still profitable. I believe that if a product is good and people know of its existance, it should do well and therefore these Muslim minoes have a chance. What do you think? Will you buy Mecca Cola or Pepsi or Coke or Qibla or.......
The anti-American feeling in the Islamic world has led to pressure groups such as religious political parties and community leaders trying to boycott the products of 'American Imperialists' and their false ideals. Effectively cashing straight into the resentment are some Pakistani businessmen based in the UK that have set up brands of Cola to oppose the multinational giant. The two examples in the doco were the brands of 'Mecca Cola' and 'Qibla Cola' which both use the red bottle and colour-scheme of the original, although one claims that this just happens have the same colours as the oppressed Palestinian's flag. Although small, they met with huge success as first with the Islamic community in Britain and seek to gain a large share of the market in Pakistan. Because Pakistan is a warm, predominantly Islamic state, alcohol is illegal and hence, the potential market for Cola is huge. The selling point is that they are good muslims who want to oppose the US and have good values and ideals. "They sell the American dream and we sell the Islamic dream" They really all sell the same sort of thing but the political impact of the Islamic Colas is helping them to thrive.
Of course Coca Cola is not at all happy with this oppurtunistic development and feels betrayed as Pakistan is a major producer which is well treated by the company. To combat the feisty little competition they are trying to crush them, as usual, with overwhelming advertising and emphasizing how good they have been for Pakistan (2% of national tax income comes from Coke). Nevertheless, they are losing customers slowly but surely purely for idealogical and religious reasons to the new competitors. Coke could take legal action over the copyrite violation but the resulting publicity would be the best thing for the 'honest vicitms of corporate bullying'.
In Australia our great biscuit company, Arnotts, was bought out by new American owners and an Australian businessman tried to compete in the same way. If you haven't had tim tams then your life is incomplete. The guy sold copies as T Ts, and everyone bought them as they were 100% Australian made and owned. Unfortunately his product was also 100% shite and so Arnotts still rules the supermarket. It is just a much better made and marketed product. Will this be the same fate of the Islamic Colas? Not necessarily, in Peru Inca Cola is popular and still profitable. I believe that if a product is good and people know of its existance, it should do well and therefore these Muslim minoes have a chance. What do you think? Will you buy Mecca Cola or Pepsi or Coke or Qibla or.......
