First in Thirst: How Gatorade Turned the Science of Sweat Into a Cultural Phenomenon

Gatorade is an enthralling story, brought to life in bright color and sharp detail in this book as journalist and author Darren Rovell chronicles every astonishing milestone of the company's history.

With unprecedented access to the inventors, the marketers, the analysts and observers, and key company figures past and present, Rovell recounts the sweat-drenched University of Florida football practices, the first (unpalatable) prototypes, and the commercial and financial interest that quickly took hold following the drink's first on-field successes. Then came the advertising, sponsorships, product placements (many of them fortuitous), and finally the two milestones that cemented Gatorade's iconic status once and for all -- the ubiquitous Gatorade bath and the Michael Jordan "Be Like Mike" endorsement deal.

With refreshing candor, First in Thirst also offers an inside look at all the aspects that went into building the brand, such as:

  • negotiations,
  • battles,
  • lawsuits,
  • mergers and acquisitions,
  • product strategies,
  • lucky breaks,
  • and even the mishaps that have attended Gatorade's reign as the 800-pound gorilla of the sports-drink scene.

First in Thirst identifies the nine Gatorade Rules, business principles that have helped Gatorade become one of the most dominant brands ever. By adhering to these principles, businesses in other industries may achieve greater brand recognition and market share. Long before America knew what "deep-down body thirst" was, a team of university scientists had already invented something to quench it. This book is the story of the product and the company, and of America's fascination with the one and only Gatorade.

"1111593315"
First in Thirst: How Gatorade Turned the Science of Sweat Into a Cultural Phenomenon

Gatorade is an enthralling story, brought to life in bright color and sharp detail in this book as journalist and author Darren Rovell chronicles every astonishing milestone of the company's history.

With unprecedented access to the inventors, the marketers, the analysts and observers, and key company figures past and present, Rovell recounts the sweat-drenched University of Florida football practices, the first (unpalatable) prototypes, and the commercial and financial interest that quickly took hold following the drink's first on-field successes. Then came the advertising, sponsorships, product placements (many of them fortuitous), and finally the two milestones that cemented Gatorade's iconic status once and for all -- the ubiquitous Gatorade bath and the Michael Jordan "Be Like Mike" endorsement deal.

With refreshing candor, First in Thirst also offers an inside look at all the aspects that went into building the brand, such as:

  • negotiations,
  • battles,
  • lawsuits,
  • mergers and acquisitions,
  • product strategies,
  • lucky breaks,
  • and even the mishaps that have attended Gatorade's reign as the 800-pound gorilla of the sports-drink scene.

First in Thirst identifies the nine Gatorade Rules, business principles that have helped Gatorade become one of the most dominant brands ever. By adhering to these principles, businesses in other industries may achieve greater brand recognition and market share. Long before America knew what "deep-down body thirst" was, a team of university scientists had already invented something to quench it. This book is the story of the product and the company, and of America's fascination with the one and only Gatorade.

19.95 In Stock
First in Thirst: How Gatorade Turned the Science of Sweat Into a Cultural Phenomenon

First in Thirst: How Gatorade Turned the Science of Sweat Into a Cultural Phenomenon

by Darren ROVELL
First in Thirst: How Gatorade Turned the Science of Sweat Into a Cultural Phenomenon

First in Thirst: How Gatorade Turned the Science of Sweat Into a Cultural Phenomenon

by Darren ROVELL

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Overview

Gatorade is an enthralling story, brought to life in bright color and sharp detail in this book as journalist and author Darren Rovell chronicles every astonishing milestone of the company's history.

With unprecedented access to the inventors, the marketers, the analysts and observers, and key company figures past and present, Rovell recounts the sweat-drenched University of Florida football practices, the first (unpalatable) prototypes, and the commercial and financial interest that quickly took hold following the drink's first on-field successes. Then came the advertising, sponsorships, product placements (many of them fortuitous), and finally the two milestones that cemented Gatorade's iconic status once and for all -- the ubiquitous Gatorade bath and the Michael Jordan "Be Like Mike" endorsement deal.

With refreshing candor, First in Thirst also offers an inside look at all the aspects that went into building the brand, such as:

  • negotiations,
  • battles,
  • lawsuits,
  • mergers and acquisitions,
  • product strategies,
  • lucky breaks,
  • and even the mishaps that have attended Gatorade's reign as the 800-pound gorilla of the sports-drink scene.

First in Thirst identifies the nine Gatorade Rules, business principles that have helped Gatorade become one of the most dominant brands ever. By adhering to these principles, businesses in other industries may achieve greater brand recognition and market share. Long before America knew what "deep-down body thirst" was, a team of university scientists had already invented something to quench it. This book is the story of the product and the company, and of America's fascination with the one and only Gatorade.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780814410950
Publisher: AMACOM
Publication date: 09/02/2005
Pages: 256
Sales rank: 757,805
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Darren Rovell has been reporting on sports business since 1998. Since June 2000 he has served as ESPN.com's sports business reporter. He also appears on numerous ESPN radio affiliate shows and on ESPNews, and contributes to ESPN's flagship Sports Center, its investigative Outside the Lines shows, and ESPN2's morning show Cold Pizza. In 2004, Rovell was named to Newsbios' 30 under 30, a list of the top 30 national business reporters under 30. He is the co-author of On the Ball: What You Can Learn About Business from America's Sports Leaders.

Table of Contents

"ACKNOWLEDGMENTS IX

INTRODUCTION 1

CHAPTER 1: SWEAT IN A BOTTLE 9

The Guinea Pigs and Testing 15

Making the Drink 17

The First Test 19

The LSU Game 21

CHAPTER 2: THE MYSTIQUE IS BORN 25

The Auburn Game 29

Gatorade Snatchers 30

Press Catches On 33

Commercial Interest 38

CHAPTER 3: FROM FIELD TO SHELVES 41

In Gatorade They Trust 44

Marketing Issues 46

NFL Coolers and Cups 50

Sports Illustrated 53

Cyclamate Disaster 58

Continuing the Legend 62

CHAPTER 4: WRESTLING OVER GATORADE 65

The University Loses Out 68

The Trust Takes It to Court 71

Cade Explodes 72

It’s All Settled 74

CHAPTER 5: THE “TIPPING” POINT 77

The Inaugural Dunk 78

Carson and Parcells Get Paid 80

Best Gatorade Baths 86

The Deadly Dunk 88

CHAPTER 6: “BE LIKE MIKE” 95

The Thirst Aid Campaign 97

Wooing Michael Jordan 99

Jordan Signs $13.5 Million Deal 102

“Be Like Mike” 105

His Airness Retires 115

CHAPTER 7: “WE’RE GOING TO WAR” 123

Coke and Pepsi Attack 124

All Sport Dismantled 131

1996 Olympics 138

Convenience Store Strategy 139

POWERade Relaunch 145

NASCAR Battleground 150

CHAPTER 8: THE GATORADE RULES 153

1. Make Sure Your Product, Service, or Brand

Is Unique and Know What Makes It Unique 154

2. Never Stop Researching the Marketplace 158

3. Identify Drivers of the Business and

Take Care of Them 163

4. Never Stop Working to Get Your Next Consumer 168

5. Packaging Counts 172

6. Learn from Your Mistakes 175

7. Seek to Connect Emotion and Passion to the Brand 178

8. Stay Disciplined 182

9. Form Smart Strategic Alliances 188

CHAPTER 9: GATORADE CRITICS 191

Quaker Buys TQ2 193

Pedialyte and Rehydralyte Challenge 196

New Challenger 199

Gatorade vs. Water 200

Influence Over Trainers 203

The Dehydration Myth 206

EPILOGUE 211

APPENDIX A 215

Sponsorships 215

Origins Ad 221

Everywhere Rap 223

Gatorade Royalties 224

Gatorade Sales 224

All-Time Flavor Roster 226

APPENDIX B 227

Letter Exchange, Bill Schmidt and Bill Parcells 229

NOTES 231

Index 239

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 244"

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Given its prominence and brand equity, it's amazing we've had to wait until now to read the story about the domination of Gatorade. Darren Rovell will quench your thirst by deftly weaving the tale from its humble beginnings to its extraordinary market share and iconic brand status."

— David Stern, Commissioner, National Basketball Association

"Without Darren Rovell's First In Thirst, how would I know there was once a Gatorade called ‘ESPN the Flavor’? At last I understand how Chris Berman and Stuart Scott race through exhausting highlight packages without becoming dehydrated."

— Bob Costas, Broadcaster, NBC and HBO

"The story of Gatorade's wild success was just waiting to be told, and Darren Rovell is the perfect person to tell it. First in Thirst is a business book and a marketing book and a zeitgeist book, but most of all it's just a terrific book to read."

— Stephen J. Dubner, co-author of Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything.

"First In Thirst chronicles why Gatorade has become the 'oral imperative' for athletes just like spinach was for Popeye."

— Joseph R. Castiglione, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, University of Oklahoma

"Well dump a bucket of green juice over my head! What a great insider's look at the building of a brand that people believe in."

— Seth Godin, author, All Marketers Are Liars

"Being first, picking a shocking name and using liberal quantities of PR are the three rules of brand building. Darren Rovell tells the fascinating story of one brand that did all three exceptionally well."

— Al Ries and Laura Ries, co-authors, The Origin of Brands"

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