Cola wars
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During the 1980s, Coca-Cola and Pepsi Cola began an escalating campaign of mutually-targeted television advertisements which became known as the Cola Wars. First they began showing people doing "blind taste tests" in which they preferred one product over the other; then hiring more and more popular spokespeople to promote their products. They focused particularly on rock stars; notable soft drink promoters included Michael Jackson (for Pepsi) and Paula Abdul (for Coke). One example of an heated exchange that occured during the Cola Wars was Coca-Cola making a strategic retreat on July 11, 1985 by announcing its plans to bring back Coke Classic.
The Cola Wars are referenced in the Billy Joel song "We Didn't Start the Fire".