BodyArmor, a Beverly Hills, Calif.-based sports drink company, announced that professional basketball player Kobe Bryant made a significant investment in the company and will become its No.3 investor, behind co-founders Mike Repole and Lance Collins.

Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co. is expanding its “The Ahh Effect” campaign with added features for its second year. The teen-focused effort will build on its history of innovation with several marketing firsts for Coca-Cola in interactive and broadcast media this coming year, the company says.

White Plains, N.Y.-based Heineken USA, which acquired import rights to the Strongbow Hard Cider brand in January 2013, is phasing out the original Strongbow Hard Cider recipe in place of the new Strongbow Gold Apple Hard Cider and Strongbow Honey & Apple Hard Cider. In a blind taste test conducted last year by Rogil Research, both men and women noted that they strongly preferred the new crisp, refreshing flavor profile of Strongbow Gold Apple, the company says.

St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch (A-B), the U.S. arm of Anheuser-Busch InBev, will release its new Johnny Appleseed Hard Apple Cider brand nationwide April 7. Inspired by the legendary adventurer and storyteller, Johnny Appleseed Hard Apple Cider features a refreshingly sweet flavor with a crisp apple bite, the company says.

Seattle-based Starbucks Coffee Co. announced a new collaboration with Oprah Winfrey to co-create Teavana Oprah Chai Tea.

Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co. has joined forces with NBA superstar LeBron James to create a new, limited-edition Sprite flavor. Sprite 6 Mix by LeBron James combines the taste of Sprite with a splash of cherry and orange flavor, the company says. The flavor formulation, packaging graphics and product name for Sprite 6 Mix were co-developed with James to reflect his style and taste preferences, it says.

C&C Group plc, the Dublin-based manufacturer, marketer and distributor of beer and hard cider brands including Woodchuck and Hornsby’s, has acquired the remaining 50 percent stake in Wallaces Express, Scotland's largest wine and spirits wholesaler.

Cheribundi Inc., Boulder, Colo., announced that two of its top-selling Fruit Refresh blends, Lemonade Refresh and Cranberry Refresh, now are available in 2,100 Walmart locations. These products will be merchandised in the juice aisle.

To build on the policies and programs that Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo already has established in a number of areas including supplier conduct, sustainable agriculture, and environmental health and safety, the company now is rolling out a land policy with zero tolerance for illegal activities in its supply chain and for land displacements of any legitimate land tenure holders.

The Juice Products Association (JPA) released a statement in January highlighting the nutritional benefits of 100 percent juice. “Can something that tastes as good as 100 percent fruit juice be good for you? Research shows it is,” the statement read. “More than just sugar and calories — 100 percent juice is a healthful, nutrient-dense beverage. It also contains beneficial vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients (plant compounds).”