Ch. 10 - Product Concepts

Gatorade is selling their products based off of their original sports drinks. Since the creation of the Gatorade drinks itself, a numerous amount of products followed in its footsteps. All of these products revolve around the initial idea which was hydration and allowing an athlete to preform at their highest potential, through the use of Gatorade. Gatorade is marketed in a specific way, which other sports drink brands cannot. Their products are on every sideline of any major sports event. This form of advertisement gives them a huge advantage over their competition. Gatorade already has the rights to have their drink as the official drink, for example the NFL the have Gatorade on the sidelines during the Superbowl which had an average audience of 111.5 million in 2014. Comparing Gatorade to another sports drink just doesn't work, considering how much of a vice grip it has over the market itself. As of now, nothing can compare to the strength of Gatorade and this makes their products that much more successful in terms of sales. The original drink helped spark the G-Series which is to be used before, during and after a workout, which puts Gatorade as a part of your entire workout experience.

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.

Ch. 4 - The Marketing Environment

Gatorade is aiming to serve those who are athletes, whether it be by playing the sport or working out, their goal is to keep people hydrated. It targets 13-28 because they are focusing on when people begin sports excessively up until the age of pro athletes who are preforming at their prime. Gatorade is able to target a younger market, in comparison to its competitors because of them being official drinks of a majority of the pro sports both national and international. This gives them the advantage in the market place. The strategy that Gatorade uses is this if pro athletes use the drinks, and are able to preform the way they are doing, Gatorade usually gets upper end athletes who are most popular. A way they show this is through commercials, unlike its competitors who you rarely see being advertised on television. Their product works so well that the athletes are able to 'sweat it out', which gives the illusion that it works, and the human body being made up mostly of water, Gatorade is water with a plus side, electrolytes.
Thanks to the success of the Florida Gators, Gatorade has been able to became the major sports drink globally. And because of this they promise to help improve performance. As long as there is sports, Gatorade should always have a place in this current market, as they are always improving what they have to fit different needs, this was done through the G series.