2008.11.23 - Los Angeles Times - 'Chinese Democracy' Is Here! So About That Free Dr. Pepper?

'Chinese Democracy' is here! So about that free Dr. Pepper?

So today's the big day. Fourteen years in the making, Guns N' Roses' "Chinese Democracy" unofficially kicks off the 2008 holiday shopping season. While the band is getting all sorts of cozy with Best Buy for the release, another major corporate brand seems to be reaping all the benefits of Axl's work.

Dr. Pepper, which earlier this year pledged to give soda to everyone in America if "Chinese Democracy" came out this year, is now making good on its promise. That is, if you can actually access the company's website.

While the world may want some Guns N' Roses — the album has received millions of plays on MySpace — apparently people don't mess around when it comes to some free soda-pop. As of mid-Sunday afternoon, Dr. Pepper is owning seven (SEVEN!) of the top 10 slots on Google Trends, as evidenced below. Look, the only mention of the actual band Guns N' Roses is paired with the beverage:



But if you go to Dr. Pepper's actual website to try to snare a voucher for your free soda, good luck. You'll likely get a server error. As earlier reported, the free Dr. Pepper was supposed to be just a one-day promotion. Those who fill out a form will receive a coupon redeemable for one soda in 4 to 6 weeks, according to the site. But unprepared for the demand, will Dr. Pepper extend the promotion? Here's hoping, as Pop & Hiss doesn't want to see what happens to a country full of citizens who are denied their free soda. Update: Dr. Pepper has extended the offer until 6 p.m. on Monday.

— Todd Martens

https://web.archive.org/web/20081212151358/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2008/11/chinese-democra.html