#6: The 7-Up and Milk Combination
In the late 1920s, Charles Leiper Grigg introduced 7-Up under The Howdy Corporation. Striving for innovation like many of his counterparts, Grigg promoted a unique concoction in the 1950s and 60s—mixing 7-Up with milk to create a “delicious blended food drink.” Though its tastefulness might be questioned, 7-Up has thrived over the years, now a proud member of the Dr Pepper family.
Dr. Pepper, the current steward of 7-Up, has chosen not to resurrect its predecessor’s distinctive marketing strategy. Abandoning the peculiar milk-soda blend for more contemporary promotions, the brand nevertheless acknowledges this curious chapter of its history. It stands as a bizarre yet fascinating reminder of the lengths to which marketers will go to set their products apart.