Vassell becomes the face of Gatorade

Jamaican international Peter Lee Vassell signed a one-year contract with Pepsi-Cola Jamaica to become a brand ambassador for the rehydration drink Gatorade.

Vassell, who put pen to paper yesterday at the company’s offices at 214 Spanish Town Road, said that the partnership means a lot to him while noting that the support of a massive brand such as Gatorade would serve as big motivation for him towards his future ambitions.

“It [partnership] means a lot to me as a player who grew up in Jamaica because Gatorade is a big brand not only in Jamaica, but in the [United] States, and being the ambassador for Gatorade is a big thing for me, and I am just looking for greater things,” Vassell said.

“It’s also a big motivation knowing that Gatorade is supporting me, and (I ask myself), what can I do to repay them? So I need to do what I can to help promote Gatorade and show them the thanks for what they have done,” he said.

“Before I got (signed) with Gatorade, I was doing great things for them to want me to be their ambassador, so I have to keep doing what I am doing, and, hopefully, greater things will happen for me and for Gatorade,” Vassell stated.

According to Pepsi-Cola Jamaica’s brand manager, Cornelia Nathan, Vassell will be used in above-line promotions such as billboards and media execution. He will be used to promote the brand or endorse sponsorships at football or athletic events by giving pep talks and interacting with young fans.

“It’s a great partnership. He’s young and on the international scene. He is already established, and we want to be there with him, we want to build with him, to grow with him and be able to support him during his journey to football stardom. He is a very talented player, so we know this is a great choice,” Nathan told The Gleaner.

INSPIRATION TO OTHERS

Michael Lopez Castillo, commercial manager for Pepsi-Cola Jamaica, said they chose Vassell because they wanted a young athlete who could connect with the younger generation of sports aspirants and be an ­inspiration to them.

“In 2019, Peter had a hectic schedule, so we couldn’t have him at all the events. But for next year, the relationship will be bigger and better, and we do expect him to be more available for the type of events that we want for the kids so he can be that mentor that motivates them,” Castillo said.

“He’s young, talented, and already playing at a high level, so that’s inspirational. But we want interaction with kids and that influence and mindset, that even if things are going against me, I can make it. So it’s that invigoration of the spirit, to let them [youngsters] know they can achieve something bigger, and we want that influence for the younger demographic,” he added.

Vassell has been one of the nation’s most promising footballers over the last two years. The 21-year-old helped Cornwall College win their first daCosta Cup title after a 15-year wait with victory over St Elizabeth Technical in 2016.

His club career started at Faulklands FC before he moved to Harbour View in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL), where he played from 2017 to 2019.

In January of this year, he was drafted to Los Angeles FC in the US top-flight, Major League Soccer (MLS). However, after a bright start to life in the MLS, the midfielder lost form and was moved to Phoenix Rising in the United Soccer League, where he is currently playing.