#GDay: The Gatorade Super Launch

This past Monday, April 15, 2013, Gatorade Philippines, spearheaded by Senior Product Manager Mikey Rosales (my batchmate in Ateneo ahem ahem), rolled out a grand launch that featured a new Gatorade logo, a new center for hoops, and a new set of charismatic ambassadors.

#Gday at the Gatorade Hoops Center.
Win from Within!

Here’s the official press release from Gatorade Philippines:

“Previously, the world’s leading sports drink featured a thunderbolt intersecting with the word ‘Gatorade.’ The new G logo is a bold representation of the heart, hustle, and soul of modern-day athletes who are all looking for a winning edge in their quest for athletic glory.

Gatorade’s visual transition to G will be rolled out across all products and variants, and integrated through above-the-line and outdoor advertising, social media, brand activations and public relations. Moreover, all advertising and marketing efforts will revolve around the G-Elite and G Rising Stars – G’s roster of championship-level pro and student athletes.

Check out the new Gatorage "G" logo and
the new-look bottles.

The G Elite will be represented by PBA stars LA Tenorio and Calvin Abueva, elite top footballers Chieffy Caligdong, Phil Younghusband and James Younghusband, and champion triathlete Ani De Leon-Brown.

You can click the pics to enlarge them and read the profiles of the Elite.

Taking on the role of G Rising Stars are UAAP men’s basketball standouts Juami Tiongson, Jeric Teng, Jeron Teng, Jean Mbe, RR Garcia, Jericho Cruz and Henry Asilum, UAAP volleybelles Abi Marano, Mika Reyes, Alyssa Valdez and Dennise Lazaro, and triathlon phenom Nikko Huelgas.

You can click the pics to enlarge them and read the profiles of the Rising Stars.

Mikey Rosales, Senior Product Manager for Gatorade Philippines stated that ‘Gatorade will continue to deliver the scientifically proven hydration and performance benefits that the brand is built on while using the new and dynamic global visual identity.’

My bro Mikey Rosales is all grown up!

Alongside its new look, Gatorade will continue to support the country’s top professional basketball and football teams, universities and colleges, as well as high profile sporting events such as the Asian Triathlon Championships, 5150 and Ironman 70.3, not to mention the biggest running events.

This event was sponsored in part by Focus Athletics and Fitness & Athletics and was powered by Smart. – Live more.

Stay tuned for a year of fueled sports action as Gatorade inspires the Philippines to

#WinFromWithin.”

Wise words indeed.

The event itself was extremely well-organized and well-attended, while the Gatorade Hoops Center (GHC) is something to behold, too. It’s not as artsy as the Ronac Center, but it’s certainly edgy and quite modern in its own right. Owned by Franz Pumaren, the GHC , formerly the Yonex Badminton Center, actually serves as the main practice facility for a few PBA teams, like the Air21 Express (coached by Pumaren, duh!) and the Alaska Aces.

Now what makes the GHC a little better, at least for me, compared to many other modern basketball practice/training facilities (Ronac and the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center included) are three things:

- as it is located along Shaw Boulevard, it’s at the center of the Metro,

- it has a LOT of parking spaces, and

- it is surrounded by a LOT of establishments for food and shopping.

In short, it’s an ideal spot for practices, fancy pick-ups, or corporate/company sports events.

The newest playground for hoop nuts in the metro.

Upon entering the GHC, I was greeted by a lavish sight – a grand stage fronted by an open area, fitness measurement and skill-specific game booths on one end, and a generous buffet spread on the other.

It was a great production!

Cool booths on one end.

Lavish spread on another.

The event had the members of the media and guests from the sporting world try their hand at the different booths. Doing so meant that they would enter their names in the different raffle draws. There were many minor prizes, but the big winner would get an all expense paid trip to the 2014 NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Of course the highlight of the whole thing was the unveiling of the new Gatorade ambassadors – the G Elite and G Rising Stars.

In all, it was a landmark event that ushered in a new era in the country’s, if not the world’s, most popular sports drink. It reaffirmed its promise to continue supporting Philippine sports, and continue inspiring people from all ages and walks of life to win from within.