Diet Caffeine-Free Cherry Vanilla...

Nicholas Carr writes on the brand expansion of Anheuser Busch:

"AB is certainly getting into niches. But if the essence of the Long Tail is the expansion of buyers' options, I'd argue that AB's strategy is more interesting as an example of an anti-Long Tail move than a pro-Long Tail one. It provides a lesson in how big companies can use Long Tail tactics to reestablish their dominance and, in the long run, reduce consumer choice."

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I think he's right on the mark again.