Pepsi brings back iconic 2000's character Derek Zoolander as new face

Following the celebrated debut of the Pepsi Zero Sugar "Great Acting or Great Taste?" campaign during Super Bowl, Pepsi has made fictitious character Derek Zoolander as its new face.

As part of the campaign, Zoolander is asking cola drinkers to taste Pepsi Zero Sugar and decide for themselves if the new and improved Pepsi Zero Sugar is actually “really really” ridiculously good tasting, or just a result of Zoolander’s one-of-a-kind modeling slash acting. 

Don't miss: Pepsi partners with actress Lindsay Lohan to promote #PilkandCookies challenge

There will be 30 and 15 second spots where Zoolander will front his biggest comeback yet, even recreating his iconic 2001 cola pour for the new campaign. 

"We have an advantaged product with the new and improved taste of Pepsi Zero Sugar, so we couldn't be more excited that people everywhere are trying it for themselves in response to our recent 'Great Acting or Great Taste?' campaign we ran on the Super Bowl," said Todd Kaplan, chief marketing officer, Pepsi.

He added that Zoolander has seen a cultural resurgence, with his newfound TikTok fame that has been amplified by his role in the brand's Super Bowl campaign, so it is only fitting that the brand extends this campaign to give America's favorite 'model-slash-actor' his own commercial.

"With this next group of ads, Zoolander, along with Ben Stiller and Steve Martin will continue to take this campaign to new heights, driving home the simple consumer truth that the best way to find out if you like a product is to try it yourself – which is what we hope people will do with Pepsi Zero Sugar," Kaplan shared. 

The campaign extension is a multi-month commitment, featuring multiple television spots, media buys and more, all in support of the new and improved Pepsi Zero Sugar, unveiled last month as brand Pepsi continues to go all in on Zero Sugar in 2023. 

Recently, Pepsi also collaborated with Hollywood star, Lindsay Lohan. Pepsi teamed up with Santa and actress Lindsay Lohan, fresh off her holiday hit film, Netflix's Falling for Christmas and recently released rendition of "Jingle Bell Rock," to encourage all to enjoy "Pilk" – the trend of combining pepsi and milk – in a new #PilkandCookies challenge to win holiday cash.

This comes as Pepsi is giving milk and cookies – a favorite tradition to leave out for Santa – a surprising and naughty new twist with the introduction of Pilk and Cookies. Pilk is a drink that combines the crispness of Pepsi with the subtly sweet and creamy taste of milk, traditionally topped with creamer, and it pairs perfectly with cookies. Known in pop culture as a "dirty soda," this trending combination has grown over several decades and has recently gained viral fame on TikTok, according to the release. 

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