Sports nutrition brand Glukos, formerly Gleukos, is "back with new products, packaging, marketing, ownership and distribution," according to Allan Brettman of the Portland OREGONIAN. Glukos Founder Mark Jensen "had been at Nike" from '01-'04 helping develop a Nike-branded sports nutrition drink when Nike co-Founder & Chair Phil Knight "pulled the plug." Jensen said that Knight "did not see how the drink, which had been discussed as a joint venture with The Coca-Cola Co., could enhance Nike's brand." Jensen: "Phil Knight was nervous he'd go by a fun run and he'd see a sports drink bottle in the gutter with a swoosh on it. That's what I was told." Jensen "took the idea" and "tried to make a go with his own energy drink called Gleukos." The brand "relaunched in May," and in addition to powders and liquid, the product is "now available in gel, gummy, tablet and bar forms." A "small cadre of athletic endorsers have been signed," including U.S. women's national soccer team MF Tobin Heath. There is also "a dedicated public relations specialist aboard." The product is "being sold in Dick's Sporting Goods, PGA Tour Superstores, Golfsmith, Golf Galaxy, GNC and hundreds of running, bicycling, triathlon and golf specialty shops." Jensen: "For us to be in all these specialty stores, it's a huge game changer for us" (OREGONLIVE.com, 8/19).
