Ch. 17 - Personal Selling and Sales Management

Gatorade used personal selling by having a group of people called "Mission Control", who would follow feeds on social media sites regarding the product Gatorade. They would be able to respond to certain posts, either by proving facts or helping out by spreading the new product, which at the time was their new brand 'G'. Gatorade has tried to re-invent their product as it was becoming extremely main stream, which made it uncool to use at the time of their attempt to revive a failing product. Gatorade used this as a way to reconnect with athletes and teens to show them that Gatorade is still the best sports drink product around. Another way that Gatorade is able to promote itself, is through sponsoring athletic events as well as giving discounts to high school teams who want to purchase Gatorade products, as this is the most proven product on the market and this only helps them sell their product more.

Ch. 16 - Advertising, Public Relations and Sales Promotion

Gatorade has got to this point thanks to their form of advertising. This form they chose may be on of the most effective ways to get to the public. A huge portion of America as well as the world are very interested in American Sports, and Gatorade is the official drink in all the major professional sports. Also, Gatorade has specific athletes in each sport to represent their drink and this helps promote their product to levels unlike any other drink or product in a general sense. Gatorade also has commercials with the athletes drinking the drink, showing how even the best use it. The role model effect has a huge factor. Every athlete sitting on the bench, always has a cup with the Gatorade logo on it, which then imprints the memory with this lightning bolt which always connects the viewer immediately with Gatorade itself.

Ch. 14 - Marketing Channels and Retailing

The thing with Gatorade is that its popularity and being easy to purchase makes it such a great product. Gatorade can be purchased in about any convenience store and athletic apparel stores such as Modells, Sports Authority, and Dick's Sporting Goods. Not being set to only one store makes Gatorade something that is seen just about anywhere where you can purchase any drink. Special products besides the drink itself would only be sold in the athletic apparel stores, but that doesn't mean it's something difficult to get. If you're into sports and working out, it's almost safe to say that you are familiar with these athletic apparel stores meaning these Gatorade products could be seen every time you walk through the store.

I went to Modells on 86th street, and was able to see that they sell Gatorade products, such as powders and chewables in the section where it would best fit around other sports drinks or other forms of hydration. Also I went to two different deli/convenience stores and of course Gatorade was being sold, along with their competitors being energy drinks (Monster, Red Bull). Gatorade Lacks an official store, but all be drink companies don't have stores that accompany their product and that doesn't hinder their ability to market their product. Another way to buy Gatorade products would be online or supermarkets.

Ch. 6 - Consumer Decision Making

Why would someone want to buy goods from Gatorade? The reason is that it's a proven form of hydration that even professional athletes use to stay at the top of their game. Being sold on over 80 countries just proves that it's something that has a track record of success. Gatorade stands at the top of the market because they are able to get the lucrative deals that allow them to work with these athletes who are idolized in society. It is something easily accessible, and affordable which makes Gatorade a real threat to all of their competitors. Not many other companies have such a focus on the health of athletes all around the globe. Gatorade helps make the consumers decision by always coming forth with new ideas, as science helps prove new ways to make the body work to its fullest potential. Plus having the world's greatest athletes backing their product helps out a bit.

Ch. 5 - Developing a Global Vision

Since the summer of 1965, where it originated at University of Florida, Gatorade has grew a tremendous amount. Thanks to being purchased by PepsiCo, it now is available in over 80 countries, and are continuing to look for new ways to improve their product. Gatorade being over 40 years old has been able to experience the fact that their product works, and is more likely to be able to spread globally. Their product is well known thanks to being the official sports drink in many of the major professional sports. Gatorade is already globally well known, considering their target market is those of a younger category, and the fact that their products are fairly inexpensive. Their global vision is going well, but can obviously improve, as they are always finding new ways to expand their place in the market.