Real Fact 1994: You Still Remember What Kiwi Strawberry Smells Like

Snapple went from being an unexpected select underground favorite to just sitting on a shelf, bottled up.   With Liz Moor's notion of branding as a guide, we trace the history of Snapple as it changed over the years, paying special attention to the cultural intermediaries: From the local deli in Brooklyn to Wendy the Snapple Lady, from Howard Stern to decentralized distribution networks, these were the individuals who gave it a unique, local taste.  In this episode, we follow a perpetual shift from a local ordinance in a glass bottle to a commodity in shrink wrap, from iconic individual to corporate hot potato. As Snapple became part of larger enterprises, intermediaries had vanished and were replaced with planograms, automated shelf scans, and a seasonal flavor rollout.  The concluding result?  A name that always worked but gradually lost its distinctness.  This episode addresses about what happens when an organization gives up uniqueness in favor of efficiency.   You may not to drink Snapple anymore.  But you probably still remember how the Peach Tea bottle felt in your palm. This episode makes limited use of archival audio, advertisements, or public statements for purposes of commentary, critique, and scholarship. These uses fall under the doctrine of fair use as defined by U.S. copyright law (17 U.S.C. § 107). All excerpts are employed selectively and transformatively to support critical analysis, educational inquiry, and public understanding. No commercial gain is derived from their inclusion.