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Altering March Madness's Secret Formula

Posted by John Scally on March 11, 2010 at March 11, 2010 9:54 AM

Do you remember one of the most famous marketing blunders of all time happened back in 1985 when Coke altered the secret formula that had stood for 100 years and packaged it as 'New Coke?' The result: condemnation and unanimous customer revolt. Lessons learned:

- Understand your customers' passion for your product and look to nurture brand loyalty--not destroy it.
- Understand your competitive differentiation and exploit it--don't try to copy your competitor.

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

Have you heard that the NCAA is considering expanding the basketball tournament field from 65 to 96 teams?

The proposed idea has been met with outrage from the blogosphere, confusion from fans and pure bewilderment from sports writers.

ESPN.com columnist Gene Wojciechowski remarked that expanding to 96 teams would be like aiming a fire hose at a glass of Dom Perignon. It would dilute it beyond recognition. It would ruin it.

Jim Calhoun, the well-respected coach of the University of Connecticut Huskies said the proposed 96-team field is a transparent money-grab that would do nothing to enhance the sport. Case in point, that short-term gain is not winning strategy for long-term success.

If the NCAA pushes through with its expansion plans, they may just bump Coke from its top spot in the Marketing Blunder Hall of Shame.

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Posted by: sclcommish at March 11, 2010 12:19 PM

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