In 1985, Coca-Cola made a significant marketing error by discontinuing its original Coca-Cola and launching New Coke. Analysts now believe that the main issue stemmed from inadequate marketing research. When consumers demanded the return of the original formula, Coca-Cola reintroduced Coca-Cola Classic, which eventually regained and exceeded its previous market position, while New Coke holds only 0.1% of the market share. What type of marketing research error did Coca-Cola commit?

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They failed to properly assess pricing and set it too high.They overlooked dealer feedback, resulting in poor distribution.They limited the scope of their marketing research problem too much.They neglected to consider the impact of the Pepsi Challenge taste test.They did not adequately evaluate advertising effectiveness.

Explanation

Coca-Cola's primary mistake was defining their marketing research problem too narrowly. This limited focus caused them to miss critical consumer preferences and reactions, leading to the backlash against New Coke and the eventual return of the original formula.