History of Pepsi
Pepsi was created in 1893 by pharmacist Caleb Bradham in New Bern, North Carolina, where it was first sold as "Brad's Drink." In 1898, Bradham renamed it Pepsi-Cola, and the Pepsi-Cola Company was incorporated in 1902. After sugar price swings following the First World War, the company went bankrupt in 1923, and the brand passed through several owners before being revived in the 1930s under Charles Guth, president of the Loft candy company.
During the Great Depression, Pepsi gained ground by selling 12-ounce bottles for a nickel, the same price as Coca-Cola's 6-ounce bottles, a strategy captured in its popular jingle "Pepsi-Cola Hits the Spot." In 1965, Pepsi-Cola merged with Frito-Lay to form PepsiCo, creating a combined beverage and snack company that would grow into one of the largest food businesses in the world.
Pepsi built its identity around youth culture and a direct rivalry with Coca-Cola. The "Pepsi Generation" campaigns of the 1960s and the "Pepsi Challenge" blind taste tests launched in 1975 became landmarks in advertising history, and the brand later signed endorsement deals with major musicians and athletes. Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Max, and Pepsi Zero Sugar extended the range to lower-sugar options.
Today, Pepsi is sold in most countries around the world and remains the flagship brand of PepsiCo, whose portfolio includes Lay's, Doritos, Gatorade, Quaker, Mountain Dew, and 7UP in many markets. The brand continues to rely on large-scale sponsorships, including music and sports events, to maintain its visibility with younger consumers.