First in Thirst - by Darren Rovell (Paperback)

About the Book

Rovell chronicles every astonishing milestone of Gatorade's history--based on unprecedented access to the inventors, the marketers, the analysts and observers, and key company figures past and present.

Book Synopsis

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.

From the Back Cover

Visit any sporting event, from a Saturday morning tee-ball game to primetime NFL football, from auto racing to marathons, from playground pickup games to world championships, and you're likely to see them: bright orange coolers or plastic bottles of what in many ways is a magic potion. Somehow this funny-tasting specialty product has, since its modest origins 40 years ago, taken on a life of its own. It has become not only a must-have conditioning accessory for serious athletes and a staple of weekend warriors everywhere, but also a cultural icon and one of the most recognizable brands in the world. Yet even more astounding than the unrivaled success of Gatorade are the stories and people behind it . . . "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"

Review Quotes

"Selected as one of Soundview Executive Book Summaries's the ""30 Best Business Books"" of the year.

Publishers Weekly: .".".an account wide in scope, rich in details and sufficiently varied to keep the pages turning.""

Beverage Digest: ""[A] new book by ESPN business reporter Darren Rovell provides fascinating insights into original development -- and sale -- of Gatorade.""

Yahoo! Sports: ""[A] fascinating new book.[Author] Rovell does an excellent job keeping a business story moving by interweaving plenty of sports and bigger picture ideas into First in Thirst. There is enough here for the businessperson, the sports fan and anyone who loves a story about how one small, simple idea could become so big.""

Dallas Morning News, Steve Powers, nationally syndicated columnist: ""It's a lively book rich in detail.""

Business Ledger (Oak Brook, IL): .".".an engrossing read...the book is captivating.""

BrandChannel.com: ""A good read about a product's ups and downs for those into sports, business, or supposed hangover cures.""

Mississippi Business Journal: .".".a fascinating business story.""

Detroit Free Press: ""He [Rovell] writes a fascinating chronicle of how Gatorade's superb marketing overcame obstacles."""

"Selected as one of Soundview Executive Book Summaries's the ""30 Best Business Books"" of the year.

Publishers Weekly: ""...an account wide in scope, rich in details and sufficiently varied to keep the pages turning.""

Beverage Digest: ""[A] new book by ESPN business reporter Darren Rovell provides fascinating insights into original development -- and sale -- of Gatorade.""

Yahoo! Sports: ""[A] fascinating new book.[Author] Rovell does an excellent job keeping a business story moving by interweaving plenty of sports and bigger picture ideas into First in Thirst. There is enough here for the businessperson, the sports fan and anyone who loves a story about how one small, simple idea could become so big.""

Dallas Morning News, Steve Powers, nationally syndicated columnist: ""It’s a lively book rich in detail.""

Business Ledger (Oak Brook,

"Selected as one of Soundview Executive Book Summaries's the ""30 Best Business Books"" of the year.

Publishers Weekly:,,"."an account wide in scope, rich in details and sufficiently varied to keep the pages turning.""

Beverage Digest: ""[A] new book by ESPN business reporter Darren Rovell provides fascinating insights into original development -- and sale -- of Gatorade.""

Yahoo! Sports: ""[A] fascinating new book.[Author] Rovell does an excellent job keeping a business story moving by interweaving plenty of sports and bigger picture ideas into First in Thirst. There is enough here for the businessperson, the sports fan and anyone who loves a story about how one small, simple idea could become so big.""

Dallas Morning News, Steve Powers, nationally syndicated columnist: ""It's a lively book rich in detail.""

Business Ledger (Oak Brook, IL):,,"."an engrossing read...the book is captivating.""

BrandChannel.com: ""A good read about a product's ups and downs for those into sports, business, or supposed hangover cures.""

Mississippi Business Journal:,,"."a fascinating business story.""

Detroit Free Press: ""He [Rovell] writes a fascinating chronicle of how Gatorade's superb marketing overcame obstacles."""

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.