Chinese Dr Pepper?

From AdAge.com - G N' R delivered the rock, now Dr Pepper has to deliver the pop.

Earlier this year, Dr Pepper promised to give one can of soda to every American if Guns N' Roses delivered its latest album, "Chinese Democracy." It seemed a safe bet to observers at the time. The album had been so long in the making (17 years) that it was more a punch line than a realistic expectation. Now, it's official. The album will be released at the end of November, meaning Dr Pepper's promise is coming due.

The event is already garnering plenty of buzz for both the band and the soda. Then again, from a business point of view, the deal raises as many questions as it answers. The album is being released exclusively at Best Buy on Nov. 23. Dr Pepper just happens to have 23 magical flavors. Further, PR shop Ketchum also represents both Best Buy and Dr Pepper. Numerous calls to Dr Pepper were unreturned. Ketchum directed calls to its client.

Time to honor pledge

"We never thought this day would come," Tony Jacobs, VP-marketing at Dr Pepper, said in a statement. "But now that it's here all we can say is: The Dr Pepper's on us." Dr Pepper plans to give out the soda through a couponing strategy.

Consumers will need to register at the brand's website for a coupon that can then be redeemed at any retailer that sells Dr Pepper. The coupons, which are limited to one per person, will only be available for 24 hours beginning after midnight on Nov. 23. A back-of-the-napkin equation would put 300 million cans of soda (which wholesales in the range of 55 cents a pop) at about $165 million.