Coke vs. Pepsi

[3113]

So much for just doing a taste test....

Former Coca-Cola secretary guilty
ATLANTA - A federal jury convicted a former Coca-Cola secretary Friday of conspiring to steal trade secrets from the world's largest beverage maker in an effort to sell them to rival Pepsi.

Joya Williams faces up to 10 years in prison. No sentencing date was immediately set.

The jury of seven women and five men deliberated for 11 1/2 hours over three days. On Thursday, jurors told U.S. District Judge J. Owen Forrester they were "hung" and could not decide. Forrester told the jury to try again Friday.

Williams showed no visible reaction when the verdict was announced. She remains free on bond, pending sentencing.

Williams was fired as a secretary to Coca-Cola's global brand director at the company's Atlanta headquarters after the allegations came to light. The government says Williams stole confidential documents and samples of products that hadn't been launched from The Coca-Cola Co. and gave them to Ibrahim Dimson and Edmund Duhaney as part of a conspiracy to sell the items to Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo Inc. for at least $1.5 million.

Dimson and Duhaney have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Duhaney testified previously that Williams spearheaded the scheme. Dimson did not testify.

The government said Williams was deeply in debt, unhappy in her job and seeking a big payday, so she embarked on the scheme to steal trade secrets. Defense lawyer Janice Singer urged jurors to use their common sense, and she argued that prosecutors did not prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Singer suggested that Dimson and Duhaney stole the documents and product samples from Williams without her knowledge and conspired to sell them to Pepsi behind her back. Williams testified earlier this week she left a key under her doormat for one of the co-defendants, perhaps explaining how they could have gotten into her home.

But Assistant U.S. Attorney Byung J. Pak said during his closing argument Wednesday that the key under the mat claim was one of many lies told by Williams.

During two days on the stand, Williams testified that she didn't steal anything from Coke, but rather took documents and product samples home to protect herself in case her boss questioned whether she was doing her job. She also claimed that $4,000 in cash she deposited into her bank account in June 2006, just days after Dimson was given $30,000 in cash from an undercover FBI agent in exchange for Coke materials, came from a friend, not from Dimson.

But the friend, Clifton Carroll, testified Tuesday that Williams was lying; he said the most money he ever loaned her was $400, and that was after her July 5 arrest. Williams' credibility was an issue for the jury to weigh during its deliberations.

After the verdict was announced, Singer said her client had been "prepared for the worst. She was ready for whatever the jury did."

"She's holding her own," Singer added. "She seems pretty strong right now."

Pak, the prosecutor, said, "We're happy with the verdict. It was the right verdict based on the evidence in the case."

He said it's too early to tell what sentence the government will recommend. He noted that under federal guidelines, the fact that Williams testified and denied involvement could weigh against her at sentencing.

 

[Guest]

I have a theory they are one company. Each week, I buy whichever is on sale. The taste difference is negligible.

I think they are addictive (I've gone through over 2 liters already today - diet), and they cost more than they should. Adding some chemicals to 2 liters of water probably costs pennies but they sell for $0.88 to $1.69 a 2 liter.

Of course, that's all a closely held secret. Wait...there's someone at my door...be right back.

 

[S-Des]

I have a theory they are one company. Each week, I buy whichever is on sale. The taste difference is negligible.

I think they are addictive (I've gone through over 2 liters already today - diet), and they cost more than they should. Adding some chemicals to 2 liters of water probably costs pennies but they sell for $0.88 to $1.69 a 2 liter.

Of course, that's all a closely held secret. Wait...there's someone at my door...be right back.

It's just the opposite for me. I can't drink Coke from a can...I think it's nasty. However, I love Coke from the fountain. I have no idea if the difference is there or if I'm just crazy.

 

[mjl2010]

I have a theory they are one company. Each week, I buy whichever is on sale. The taste difference is negligible.

I think they are addictive (I've gone through over 2 liters already today - diet), and they cost more than they should. Adding some chemicals to 2 liters of water probably costs pennies but they sell for $0.88 to $1.69 a 2 liter.

Of course, that's all a closely held secret. Wait...there's someone at my door...be right back.

It actually costs less than pennies. When you buy a 2 liter bottle of soda, the packaging and advertising are about 99 percent of their cost. 2 liters of soda cost them about $0.0002 - 2 tenths of penny.

MJL

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Soft drinks always taste better from a bottle (plastic) than a can. Plus, coke has more carbonation than Pepsi does because it's harder on your throat when you swallow it.

 

[Guest]

It's just the opposite for me. I can't drink Coke from a can...I think it's nasty. However, I love Coke from the fountain. I have no idea if the difference is there or if I'm just crazy.

Fountain versions are different. I think with more caffeine. At least, I feel like I'm getting a better jolt. Two super-deluxe-rot-your-tummy sizes at the theater have my hands shaking. It's delightful.

 

[R. Richard]

I think that Coke has an incredible advertising opportunity here. "Try the taste that's so good that someone is willing to go to prison for 10 years to steal the secret!"

 

[Carnevil9]

It's just the opposite for me. I can't drink Coke from a can...I think it's nasty. However, I love Coke from the fountain. I have no idea if the difference is there or if I'm just crazy.

I believe the difference is the sweetener. Fountain Coke is still sweetened with Saccharine for some reason, which is no longer used in cans and bottles. I believe that is because they need a longer shelf life. It definitely tastes better from a fountain.....Carney

 

[S-Des]

I believe the difference is the sweetener. Fountain Coke is still sweetened with Saccharine for some reason, which is no longer used in cans and bottles. I believe that is because they need a longer shelf life. It definitely tastes better from a fountain.....Carney

Thank you, I always wondered about that. To me, they taste completely different. I attributed it to a difference in carbonation or the way it's mixed. I agree with Crim. If it wasn't such a hassle to keep them fresh (and such a temptation to drink too much), I'd always buy the 2 Litre plastic bottles. They're much better than the cans (but still not as good as the fountain drinks).

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Thank you, I always wondered about that. To me, they taste completely different. I attributed it to a difference in carbonation or the way it's mixed. I agree with Crim. If it wasn't such a hassle to keep them fresh (and such a temptation to drink too much), I'd always buy the 2 Litre plastic bottles. They're much better than the cans (but still not as good as the fountain drinks).

I buy them in the 12 oz bottles by the 12 pack. I don't like the 2 liter bottles because it goes flat too quickly.

 

[3113]

I think that Coke has an incredible advertising opportunity here. "Try the taste that's so good that someone is willing to go to prison for 10 years to steal the secret!"

LOL.

Even better, they were trying to sell it to Pepsi. So another ad can say, "Someone tried to sell our formula to Pepsi for 1.5 mil. Evidently, Pepsi *still* wants to taste like us."

 

[JamesSD]

I wasn't much of a cola drinker before college, but when I was I preferred the more sugary-sweet taste of Pepsi to Coke.

My college campus was all Coke, and since the Coke vending machines lacked a "Mt. Dew" type caffeinated beverage, I started dabbling in Coke. It's definitely an aquired taste, but one I now like. Does make you wonder if there's something addictive in it...

I REALLY like the taste of Coke Zero. Call me crazy, but it just works for me.

As for the fountain/bottle/can thing, I find there's no real consistency with fountain beverages. I believe the restraunts can control the amount of syrup to some degree, so the taste can vary a lot. Same with the carbonation. I would say I've had some Coke from fountains that was absolutely terrible, and some that was the best soda I've ever had.

 

[kendo1]

.....

 

[rgraham666]

I can't stand either.
I'll stick to coffee.

Seconded.

 

[Carnevil9]

I REALLY like the taste of Coke Zero. Call me crazy, but it just works for me.

Coke Zero is much better than regular Diet Coke (can or bottle) to me. But, if you can find it, Diet Coke with SPLENDA is even better. But after a big splash in the beginning, it became very difficult to track down.

They also have a product called Coke Blak. It is basically a coffee-flavored cola, combining the best of both worlds. Kind of hard to find, and kind of spendy, too (four eight-ounce bottles for $5!!)....Carney

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Is anyone but me getting very thirsty right no..?

 

[S-Des]

Coke Zero is much better than regular Diet Coke (can or bottle) to me. But, if you can find it, Diet Coke with SPLENDA is even better. But after a big splash in the beginning, it became very difficult to track down.

They also have a product called Coke Blak. It is basically a coffee-flavored cola, combining the best of both worlds. Kind of hard to find, and kind of spendy, too (four eight-ounce bottles for $5!!)....Carney

I just started using Splenda in my coffee. I'm one of those people who puts a lot of sugar in it, but a couple of Splenda seems to do about the same thing (I hate the other sweetners). I'll try to find the diet coke with it, that might be worth trying.

 

[lipsofanangel]

I think that Coke has an incredible advertising opportunity here. "Try the taste that's so good that someone is willing to go to prison for 10 years to steal the secret!"

Hahahaha

That made me laugh more than it probably should have. I love it!

 

[Selena_Kitt]

I just started using Splenda in my coffee. I'm one of those people who puts a lot of sugar in it, but a couple of Splenda seems to do about the same thing (I hate the other sweetners). I'll try to find the diet coke with it, that might be worth trying.

I LOVE Splenda. I know they will probably come out and say it causes people to grow extra limbs or something, but I LOVE it. It's actually SWEETER than sugar. MM!

I love the new Diet Coke with Splenda... but my husband hates it. He can't stand anything with Splenda in it--too sweet! They put it in Pepsi-One, too... he can't stand that now either.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

I prefer Coke from a can over all other forms of soft drinks. Everyone who disagrees is crazy

 

[Stegral]

sorry but I will take pepsi over coke ANYDAY

I did something OTHER than a taste test after putting a trailor into the docks at the coke plant with corrosive placards on it.
(Bills stated "raw materials" , not cleaning supplies!!)
never had those on with the pepsi deliveries...

Coke will clean my tools after fixing a car within an hour...
Coke will remove rust from ANYTHING.
Pepsi just makes my tools sticky...

sorry but I can't really enjoy something that can do the same as Varsol....

I get gutrot/upset stomach every time I drink dark coca cola of ANY kind...
I can only handle gingerales & clear pop from them... (Barq's clear cream soda is my Fav !)

 

[lipsofanangel]

I have to admit that I'm addicted to Coca-Cola. I'll drink Pepsi if it's my very last resort. I know it's not good for me (hi, it really can clean rust off things) but I drink it anyway.

 

[3113]

Coke will clean my tools after fixing a car within an hour...
Coke will remove rust from ANYTHING.

I begin to understand why someone might pay 1.5 mil for the secret formula.

 

[wordofvirtue]

I'm a Pepsi freak I even had a cat named "Pepsi" -- I didn't know what to name her and the first thing I saw was a Pepsi can on the desk. Someday there will be a class action lawsuit and we will find out what the REAL secret ingredient is that is so terribly addictive. It's gotta be something more than just sugar and caffeine!

Most sodas were initially marketed as being medicinal. That's why pharmacies had soda fountains. Pepsi was named for pepsin, an enzyme found in the stomach. It was touted as a tummy remedy.

At least here in fly-over country, you can still buy cola syrup at the pharmacy. People swear by it for treating nausea.

 

[cantdog]

It's just the opposite for me. I can't drink Coke from a can...I think it's nasty. However, I love Coke from the fountain. I have no idea if the difference is there or if I'm just crazy.

It's there.