Pepsi Max refreshes iconic ‘Pepsi Max Taste Challenge’ with new campaign via TBWA\Sydney
Pepsi Max is calling on consumers to ‘sip outside their comfort zone’ – to experience the delicious, bold taste of Pepsi Max this summer by putting its taste credentials on the line and going head to head with its biggest selling full sugar cola competitor through the Pepsi Max Taste Challenge.
Pepsi Max will encourage Aussies to take part in a blind taste test of two sips to decide the better-tasting cola with activations across the country from 4 November to end of January. The activations are supported with a campaign via TBWA\Sydney, that amplifies through TV, OOH and digital advertising, encouraging consumers to reappraise their cola choices.
Originally launched in the 1970s, TBWA was challenged to refresh, localise and launch the campaign to ask Aussies to reappraise their cola choices and think again. TBWA’s creative depicts the ultimate choice – one of either predictable comfort or one which dares drinkers to be bold.
Says Katrina Alvarez-Jarratt, creative director, TBWA: “The iconic ‘Taste Challenge’ is part of Pepsi’s heritage. The latest campaign in this global series issues the challenge to Australians in an interesting and humorous way, reminding them that flavour favours the bold.”
Says Carolyn Baveystock, marketing manager – CSDs, Pepsi Australia: “The Taste Challenge has been a huge success with consumers in other countries around the world and now Australian consumers have the opportunity to take part. We look forward to seeing if we can convert even more people with our great taste!”
Client: PepsiCo
Creative: TBWA Sydney
Production Company: BOLT
Director: Leo Woodhead
Producer: Lauren Reilly
DOP: Ian McCarroll
Editorial: Lucas Baynes, Arc Edit
Post Production: Alt FX
Sound Design: Beau Silvester
Music supervision: Anton, Trailer Media
Casting: Stevie Ray CGA
Media: PHD Australia
Activation: Conversion Live

21 Comments
The creatives haven’t put their name on this, but why? 😉
woah.
Not the old Matrix idea again….just not funny. Very ordinary work.
ahah SWOOWW o h hh WOWWWW wooooHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
‘interesting and humourous’… thanks for pointing that out
Looks terrible, really bad production values.
This is so bad. #SHIT
Why is Pepsi always so mediocre and ordinary in their humour?
This is an ad from 20 years ago (not just because of the matrix reference).
Drink advertising in 2019 can be so much more to this generation.
I hope this wasnt the best idea from the creative department.
TBWA took the Pepsi challenge and failed miserably.
Awful craft and awful spot. No.
This is the one time you can genuinely say:
‘1999 called, they want their ad back’
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX93lAGQ4EM
Why are ads looking like this these days?
I can’t even comprehend why you would even promote this rubbish.
I liked it better with the pills #DoubleDump
We all know TBWA are better than this spot. Unfortunately for them, they have to PR it. We’ve all been there and we’ve all had clients this bad. Have a good Friday
Three years too early for Matrix 4 and twenty years too late for the original. What were you thinking?
Also, it’s shit.
DREAMLAND. If you’re going to say “Take me to dreamland”, SHOW IT TO ME!
Adland =
Shit work ? Clients fault
Great work ? All us
Are TBWA better than this? Where’s the proof from the past year or so?
Sheridan? Optus? ANZ? Previous Pepsi Max ads?
They’re not as relevant as they once were. The talent has all gone.
Agree, but you seem to have more bad clients than anyone else.