Discover the chaotic aftermath of Pepsi's 'Number Fever' promotion, where too many winning bottle caps sparked a frenzy in the Philippines. Legal troubles and consumer outrage highlight the fine line companies walk in marketing. Explore the ethical responsibilities of corporations and the risks of overpromising in promotional strategies. The potential for bankruptcy looms large when businesses fail to gauge consumer expectations, leaving them in a precarious position.
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Number Fever in the Philippines
Victoria Angelo, a poor rickshaw driver's wife, bought Pepsi bottles hoping to win a million pesos.
A printing error led to numerous 349 bottle caps, causing widespread confusion and outrage.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Banana Man
Phil Calcutt exploited a Tesco promotion offering excessive Clubcard points for bananas.
He bought thousands of bananas, profiting and becoming a local hero known as "Banana Man."
insights INSIGHT
Innumeracy
Mathematician John Allen Paulos highlights innumeracy, even among smart people.
Companies exploit this, using tactics like low monthly payments that obscure total costs.
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In 'Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences,' John Allen Paulos argues that the widespread inability to deal rationally with large numbers and probabilities leads to misinformed decisions, confused policies, and an increased susceptibility to pseudoscience. The book uses quirky anecdotes and real-world examples from areas such as stock scams, sports statistics, elections, and medical claims to illustrate the harmful effects of innumeracy. Paulos encourages readers to adopt a more quantitative approach to understanding the world around them.
Humble Pi
A Comedy of Maths Errors
Matt Parker
In 'Humble Pi', Matt Parker delves into a series of real-life events where mathematics did not work out as expected. He explains glitches, near misses, and mathematical mishaps involving the internet, big data, elections, and more, in a witty and layman-friendly manner. The book highlights the importance of math in everyday life and the significant consequences of mathematical errors, such as bridge failures and financial blunders. Parker's approach makes math both fascinating and humorous, showing how math is integrated into our daily lives and why it is essential for our achievements as a species.
Pepsi twice ended up in court after promotions went disastrously wrong. Other big companies have fallen into the same trap - promising customers rewards so generous that to fulfil the promise might mean corporate bankruptcy.
Businesses and customers alike are sometimes blinded by the big numbers in such PR stunts - but it's usually the customers, not the businesses, who end up losing out.
Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford 
