Gatorade In three-year Premiership rugby tie

LONDON - Gatorade, the world's first isotonic sports drink, has signed its most significant UK sponsorship to date by agreeing a three-year deal with rugby union's Guinness Premiership.

Gatorade In three-year Premiership rugby tie

The tie-up will be the first time that a single brand has become the official sports drink for all 12 of the league's clubs.

Gatorade has ambitious plans for the UK and Europe. It is understood to be considering several other high-profile sponsorship deals over the coming months in order to tap into this growing market.

In the UK, the combined sports and energy drink market is bucking the decline in carbonated drinks, and is predicted to be worth £979m by 2012, a 17% increase on 2007.

The brand has already made headway in the UK market by signing up as an official partner of several mass-participation events, including the Mazda London Triathlon, Iron Man UK 70.3 and Sony Ericsson Run to the Beat half-marathon.

To date, Gatorade has used its association with such events primarily as sampling opportunities for participants, but has also used other marketing channels, including TV, online and press, to boost its brand presence in the UK market.

The brand was given a soft launch in the UK in 2007 and undertook its first UK marketing push this year, with a £6m campaign by Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO. It introduced the strapline 'The science of winning', and comprised ads featuring athletes and swimmers in laboratory settings.

The launch was supported by redesigned packaging from branding agency Ziggurat Brands, including an overhauled label that features information about how the brand can help athletes rehydrate, replenish and refuel. Bottles also carry the line 'Nothing works better'.

Other notable Gatorade deals include ambassadorships with footballers Frank Lampard, Kaka and Ronaldinho, as well as exclusive partner deals with the NFL and Chelsea FC. The brand is available in more than 80 countries.

Recently, the Guinness Premiership, which has a new season starting early next month, signed a deal with Hilton, making it the league's first official hotel partner.

Other partner deals have been made with brands including Land Rover, EDF Energy, The Sunday Times, Gilbert, O2, Sky Sports and betting and gaming site Coral.co.uk.

 

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