Brand wars often involve two, or more, companies engaging in marketing campaigns to outdo each other. They are, essentially, healthy competitions that strengthen – rather than damage – their respective businesses. These fascinating wars can take many forms, and it can be extremely entertaining to observe. Here, we’ll explore some of the most iconic brand wars of all time and why they remain memorable to this day.
KFC vs. McDonald’s
The most recognizable fast food rivalry of all time is that between KFC and McDonald’s. Dating back to the late 1950s, it was all about a fight to gain dominance in the chicken sandwich market. This battle for market share led to innovation in products, as well as a significant advertising campaign. It also became personal, with the CEOs of both companies taking digs at each other in the media and accusing the other of stealing recipe ideas.
Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi
The brand war between Coca-Cola and Pepsi is a legendary example of how a competition between two businesses can create memorable advertising. From the early days of the Cola Wars’ “The Pepsi Challenge” in 1975, when people were asked to compare the taste of Coke and Pepsi in taste tests, to the modern cola wars, which are focused on bigger issues such as health and sustainability, the competition has produced some of the most memorable ads in history.
BMW vs. Mercedes
The rivalry between German luxury automakers BMW and Mercedes-Benz dates back to the early 20th century. While there’s been no public feud between them, the war between these two luxury brands still rages on. It centres on the battle for quality, performance, and technology advancements. Mercedes-Benz may have been the first to introduce automatic transmission and power steering, but BMW has since pushed forward with semi-autonomous driving and Electric cars.
Apple vs. Microsoft
The competition between Apple and Microsoft has been around since the early days of home computing. It’s been fought through products and marketing campaigns, as well as legal battles. In its initial stages it was a Mac vs. PC fight, but it now covers a much wider range of products and markets.
Nike vs. Adidas
The battle between Nike and Adidas is one of the longest and most heated in the sporting world. It spans all sports, from basketball to running, as well as lifestyle trends. They’ve been competing against each other since the 1950s, and it’s fair to say they’ve both influenced the other in terms of design and innovation.
Google vs. Amazon
The rivalry between Google and Amazon is relatively new but has quickly become one of the biggest contests of the digital age. It covers everything from digital advertising to smart home devices and delivery services. Google remains the dominant player in search and Amazon leads the charge in e-commerce, but both are locked in a battle to control the customer’s home.
McDonald’s vs. Burger King
McDonald’s and Burger King are two of the biggest fast food chains in the world and are also known for their long-standing feud. They’ve been battling it out since 1955, when Burger King opened its first store, and it’s become increasingly heated in recent years. In this war, both companies are constantly looking for ways to outdo each other in the form of promotions, product innovation, and marketing campaigns.
Samsung vs. Apple
The battle between Apple and Samsung is arguably the biggest of all the brand wars. It’s been an ongoing battle since the 1970s, when Apple introduced the world’s first commercial personal computer, but it came to a head when Samsung introduced its Galaxy range of phones. In this feud Apple has accused Samsung of copying its designs and have taken them to court, while Samsung have hit back with accusations of Apple attempting to keep prices artificially high.
These are just a few of the most iconic brand wars of all time, but there are numerous more. While it’s not always healthy for two companies to be in direct competition, these battles have been beneficial for consumers, as the competition has made both brands innovate. Companies like KFC and McDonald’s have pushed each other to introduce better products, while Apple and Samsung’s fight has led to better phones, tablets and other consumer electronics. Through these brand wars, we as consumers can benefit from major advances in technology and product innovation.
