Approaching their 60th anniversary as a global fixture in the sports drink market, Gatorade has turned back the clock in their latest campaign ad. Originated in 1965, the company will celebrate 60 years of business in 2025 and has decided to re-launch their slogan from the ’90s and early 2000s, “Is it in you?” As their very first contracted athlete and one of their most prized in the history of the company, Michael Jordan’s narration perfectly passes the torch to the next generation of groundbreaking athletes.
‘Be Like Mike’
Initially only a partner with the NBA, without any representation on the individual level, Jordan’s ‘Be Like Mike’ slogan pioneered the first Gatorade athlete to sign and have his own commercial. Still widely regarded as one of the most iconic and legendary sports advertisements and slogans of all time, the brand raced to the top of the hydration category and has lived there ever since. Much like Jordan carried Nike to the top of their respective industry via his unmatched success and global impact on society, Gatorade was also a major benefactor of inking the greatest basketball player of all time before he reached his full potential.
New Kids On The Block
As the global leader in sports hydration, Gatorade’s panel of athletes features the best of the best. Some of the notable appearances accompanying Jordan’s narration in their latest ad are Josh Allen, Luka Doncic, Jason Tatum, Justin Jefferson, Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, and DJ Lagway. Doncic and Tatum are headed for an NBA Finals matchup, which will presumably represent the new face of the NBA.
Clark has set the sports world on fire over the past two years. Just a few highlights include holding the NCAA Division 1 all-time scoring record, being named back-to-back AP Player of the Year, and being selected first overall in the latest WNBA Draft to the Indiana Fever. Wilson has claimed the last two WNBA titles with the Las Vegas Aces, brought home the 2023 WNBA Finals MVP, and has two regular season Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year honors on her resume.
Josh Allen boasts one of the most high-powered offenses in the NFL of recent history, and has two Pro Bowl nods at only 28-years-old. Lagway was awarded the 2023 Gatorade Football Player of the Year, a five-star quarterback committed to the University of Florida. Needless to say, Gatorade’s represented by the best of the best across the world of athletics.
Hopefully this starts the return of the awe-inspiring Gatorade commercials of old, renewing the ultimate debate, is it in you?
