PepsiCo's Gatorade announced today that it has reached
an out-of-court settlement with Coca-Cola resolving the lawsuit filed
on Monday in Chicago's U.S. District Court. The move follows
Coca-Cola's agreement to immediately terminate the airing of one
Powerade Option TV commercial and modify the language in a second ad
to address the concerns expressed in the lawsuit relating to the
carbohydrate calorie content and relative energy benefits of Gatorade
and Powerade Option.
"Our primary concern is to ensure that consumers are accurately informed about the benefits of a functional sports drink, and we are satisfied with Powerade Option's decision," said Cindy Alston, vice president, equity development and communications for Gatorade.
Powerade Option has immediately stopped airing its "Drag Race" commercial, which was cited by Gatorade as containing inaccurate information. Powerade Option also agreed to modify its second commercial, called "Laces," with respect to the carbohydrate calorie content and relative energy benefits of the two products. In addition, Powerade Option will submit the revised "Laces" ad to an expedited review by the Better Business Bureau's National Advertising Division (NAD), which already recommended earlier this year that Powerade Option "clearly and conspicuously" disclose the product does not provide the energy benefits that Gatorade delivers.
Gatorade(R) Thirst Quencher, the nation's leading sports drink, is backed by 35 years of research. Gatorade is scientifically formulated and athletically proven to quench thirst, replace fluids and electrolytes and provide carbohydrate energy to enhance athletic performance. Gatorade is the official sports drink of the NFL, NBA, WNBA, AVP, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, and numerous professional, collegiate and amateur teams and events throughout the world. Gatorade is manufactured by QTG (Quaker, Tropicana, Gatorade), a division of PepsiCo. For more information, please visit www.gatorade.com.
"Our primary concern is to ensure that consumers are accurately informed about the benefits of a functional sports drink, and we are satisfied with Powerade Option's decision," said Cindy Alston, vice president, equity development and communications for Gatorade.
Powerade Option has immediately stopped airing its "Drag Race" commercial, which was cited by Gatorade as containing inaccurate information. Powerade Option also agreed to modify its second commercial, called "Laces," with respect to the carbohydrate calorie content and relative energy benefits of the two products. In addition, Powerade Option will submit the revised "Laces" ad to an expedited review by the Better Business Bureau's National Advertising Division (NAD), which already recommended earlier this year that Powerade Option "clearly and conspicuously" disclose the product does not provide the energy benefits that Gatorade delivers.
Gatorade(R) Thirst Quencher, the nation's leading sports drink, is backed by 35 years of research. Gatorade is scientifically formulated and athletically proven to quench thirst, replace fluids and electrolytes and provide carbohydrate energy to enhance athletic performance. Gatorade is the official sports drink of the NFL, NBA, WNBA, AVP, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, and numerous professional, collegiate and amateur teams and events throughout the world. Gatorade is manufactured by QTG (Quaker, Tropicana, Gatorade), a division of PepsiCo. For more information, please visit www.gatorade.com.