'G Series Pro' hits GNC shelves

In the next stage of its evolution from sports drink to sports performance innovator, The Gatorade Company is launching "G Series Pro" through a distribution alliance with GNC, the nation's premier specialist retailer of nutritional products for the active consumer.

"We're excited to have it in North Idaho. If you're anywhere from a triathlete to a weekend warrior, this is a product that would be good for you to use in your training. And its also the same product that has been served on triathlon race courses already," said Brenda Erickson, owner of the GNC store in Coeur d'Alene.

G Series Pro was originally developed by The Gatorade Sports Science Institute to meet the needs of professional and aspiring professional athletes. It has no high-fructose corn syrup, unlike other Gatorade products.

Until now, it has only been available in locker rooms and specialized training facilities. But beginning on May 1, it will be available to a broader segment of elite athletes, distributed initially through an exclusive co-marketing and co-distribution collaboration with GNC and its network of nearly 5,500 outlets nationwide.

"Up to now, we have kept these products in the locker room, but the compatibility between G Series Pro athletes and GNC customers persuaded us this is a product line of genuine interest to those looking to go pro," said Sarah Robb O'Hagan, chief marketing officer of Gatorade.

The G Series Pro line will be a valuable addition to GNC's sport performance product line-up, said Joe Fortunato, chief executive officer for GNC.

"The Gatorade brand has enormous credibility with GNC's sports nutrition customers," he said. "We have the right retail presence and marketing muscle to drive G Series Pro through our nearly 5,500 U.S. stores."

Gatorade offers a whole-hearted commitment to understanding the needs of the athlete and a ruthless focus on science-based innovation.

"We recognize different needs of specialized and distinct groups of athletes across the spectrum of the whole category," said Massimo d'Amore, CEO of PepsiCo Americas Beverages. "G Series Pro is a manifestation of this insight - the elite athlete, with his or her particular nutrient requirements, needs a highly customized product. G Series Pro is such a product, made available through premium distribution channels such as GNC."

For more information about Gatorade products, please visit www.gatorade.com. The Gatorade Company, a division of PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP), provides sports performance innovations designed to meet the needs of athletes at all competitive levels and across a broad range of sports. Gatorade Thirst Quencher is backed by more than 40 years of research and is scientifically formulated and athletically proven to quench thirst, replace fluids and electrolytes, and provide carbohydrate energy to enhance athletic performance. The company's product portfolio is built around the G Series, a 1-2-3 approach to athlete nutrition and hydration before (Gatorade Prime 01), during (Gatorade Perform 02 and G2 Perform 02),and after (Gatorade Recover 03) training or competition.