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What Were They Thinking? The Morning Java That Left Us Cold

Americans drink 400 million cups of coffee every day--so why was Maxwell House Ready-To-Drink Coffee such a colossal flop? Branding lessons from a morning brew gone wrong. READ»

What Were They Thinking? The Chips That Sent Us Running To The Loo

Americans love junk food, and we continue to fool ourselves into thinking that there is a magical solution that will allow us to eat as much as we want without gaining any weight. In 1998, Frito-Lay introduced WOW Chips, fat-free chips made with olestra--whose molecules acted like a laxative when people ate too much. Here's how Frito-Lay played chicken with a branding disaster. READ»

What Were They Thinking? When The Fizz Went Flat For Crystal Pepsi

What other brands can learn from the spectacular flop that was Crystal Pepsi. READ»

What Were They Thinking? Swoops, Hershey's Chocolate Oops

When you can't sell chocolate to a country full of sugar addicts, you know you have a problem. What went wrong with one of Hershey's "innovative" chocolate treats. READ»

What Where They Thinking? For Oreo--And Lots Of Brands--Bigger Isn't Better

Marketed as America's favorite cookie, Oreo has become an American icon. Two chocolaty circular cookie wafers held together by a sweet vanilla creme filled center have become the perfect accompaniment for milk and an irresistible ...READ»

What Were They Thinking? Orbitz, The Lava Lamp Of Soft Drinks

It was 1996 when Orbitz, the lava lamp of soft drinks, streaked through the galaxy and onto shelves. Despite its cult following, the brand offers up a few lessons in what not to do when launching a new product in the food or drink category. READ»

What Were They Thinking? The Day Ketchup Crossed The Line From Perfect To Purple

Heinz ketchup is an iconic American brand, practically perfect in every way. Why mess with it? READ»

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Products of Brand Mash-Ups

Lashing your brand to another may be the easiest -- and oddest -- way to create new products. Can you pick which items are real and which are fake?READ»