Feed the Rush!: The Fascinating Rise, Fall, and Rise Again of the Iconic 90s Soda Surge

In this episode, Travis takes us on a nostalgic, caffeinated journey through the iconic 90s soda, Surge. With a blend of humor and insightful history, he uncovers how this seemingly simple citrus soda became a rebellious cultural phenomenon, vanished, and then came roaring back thanks to passionate fans and clever marketing. He also shares about his own love of Surge and some stories around his energy drink addiction in the early part of the 2000s.From the historical roots of Mountain Dew to Surge's marketing blitz in the 90s, Travis showcases how branding, targeted advertising, and zeitgeist alignment can turn a beverage into a movement. And let's not forget the importance of social media activism—proving that sometimes, voice and passion can bring the wildest of brands back from the dead. Buckle up as we explore the chaos, culture, and comeback of Surge.The Surge Movement:https://surgemovement.org/In this episode:The fascinating origin story of Mountain Dew and how it inspired Surge's aggressive branding.Surge’s marketing strategy: chaotic commercials, extreme sports appeal, and its “feed the rush” slogan.The cultural impact of Surge in schools, skate parks, and teen identity during the 90s.The decline due to health concerns and school bans, despite Surge having less caffeine and sugar than Mountain Dew.The grassroots movement and social media campaign that led to Surge’s surprising 2014 comeback.The power of community activism in reviving discontinued brands and what modern marketers can learn.The contrast between Surge and Red Bull’s branding approaches and the importance of understanding your audience.