Vita Coco® Joins Forces with U.S. Men’s National Team Star Weston McKennie as Global Brand Ambassador
Rhea-AI Summary
Vita Coco (NASDAQ: COCO) named U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Weston McKennie as a Global Brand Ambassador on January 13, 2026.
The partnership expands an existing relationship and positions Vita Coco as McKennie’s hydration partner ahead of the 2026 international soccer tournament hosted in the U.S.; activations include marketing campaigns, athlete storytelling, and fan initiatives. Vita Coco highlights that its Original Coconut Water contains 1,149mg electrolytes per 500ml versus ~292mg in the leading sports drink and promotes the product as a natural alternative without artificial dyes or additives. The flagship product is available nationwide and online.
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News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, COCO declined 0.66%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Peers showed mixed moves: PRMB +1.28% and CELH +0.70% rose, while FIZZ -0.41%, STKL -3.10%, and COKE -0.23% declined, indicating this news is more company-specific than sector-driven.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 08 | Board appointment | Positive | -0.4% | Added experienced retail executive Shelley Broader to Board. |
| Dec 09 | Sports partnership | Positive | +1.1% | Became Official Hydration Partner of Rush Soccer nationwide. |
| Nov 20 | Marketing activation | Neutral | -2.3% | Launched NYC-only Coco Card rewards and Blue Carpet event. |
| Nov 17 | Tariff update | Positive | +3.6% | Expected tariff relief on coconut water imports for U.S. arrivals. |
| Oct 29 | Earnings beat | Positive | +7.2% | Strong Q3 2025 results and raised full‑year guidance. |
Recent news often led to positive moves on fundamentally strong or strategic updates, though marketing/news items have produced mixed reactions.
Over the last few months, Vita Coco has combined strong financial performance with brand- and policy-driven catalysts. On Oct 29, 2025, it reported strong Q3 results, raised full-year guidance, and the stock gained 7.2%. Tariff relief news on Nov 17, 2025 coincided with a 3.6% rise. Marketing and partnership news, such as the Rush Soccer deal on Dec 9, 2025 and the Coco Card activation, produced more modest and sometimes negative moves. Today’s ambassador announcement fits this marketing/partnership pattern.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement expands Vita Coco’s sports marketing push by naming Weston McKennie a Global Brand Ambassador, reinforcing its positioning around real hydration and elevated electrolyte content of 1,149mg per 500ml. In recent months, the company paired strong earnings and guidance with sports partnerships and experiential marketing. Investors may watch for evidence that these visibility plays, including prior soccer partnerships, translate into sustained volume growth and support its premium brand positioning.
Key Terms
electrolytes medical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
America’s leading coconut water brand to fuel McKennie on and off the field as he gears up to play on soccer’s biggest international stage
NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vita Coco (NASDAQ: COCO), America’s leading coconut water brand, is continuing its partnership with U.S. Men’s National Team star Weston McKennie, naming the elite midfielder a Global Brand Ambassador. As anticipation builds for soccer’s biggest global event on home soil this summer, the partnership highlights the critical role that real hydration plays in elite athletic performance.
The collaboration builds on an existing relationship between Vita Coco and McKennie, and reflects the brand’s continued commitment to supporting athletes who prioritize better-for-you ingredients, naturally-occurring electrolytes, and real hydration. As McKennie prepares to play a key role for his team on soccer’s biggest international stage, Vita Coco will be right there with him, fueling training, recovery, and everyday performance.
“For me, performance starts with what I put into my body,” said Weston McKennie. “Hydration is non‑negotiable, especially when you’re training and competing at the highest level. I choose Vita Coco because it’s real hydration from simpler ingredients, and it helps me feel ready whether I’m on the pitch, traveling, or recovering.”
For decades, athletes have relied on neon colored sports drinks loaded with artificial ingredients. Vita Coco continues to challenge that status quo by offering a better option: coconut water. Vita Coco Original Coconut Water contains 3.5x the electrolytes versus the leading sports drink*, without artificial dyes or unnecessary additives, making it The Better Fitness Fuel™ for athletes and everyday consumers alike.
As a Global Brand Ambassador, McKennie will be featured across Vita Coco marketing campaigns, athlete‑led storytelling, and fan‑focused initiatives tied to soccer’s biggest moment in 2026. The partnership will spotlight McKennie’s training, recovery, and off‑the‑field routine, reinforcing Vita Coco’s role as his trusted source of hydration.
“Weston represents everything we look for in a Vita Coco athlete. Authentic, hard-working, and committed to fueling his body the right way,” said Jane Prior, Chief Marketing Officer of The Vita Coco Company. “We also love that he’s often referred to as a ‘Swiss Army knife’ of players – versatile, reliable, and able to do it all. Weston mirrors how we think about Vita Coco -- a powerhouse beverage with functional benefits for many occasions, particularly sports.”
Vita Coco Original Coconut Water has been the brand’s flagship product for more than two decades and is available at retailers nationwide and online at vitacoco.com, Amazon, and select e‑commerce platforms.
For additional information about Vita Coco, please visit vitacoco.com and follow the brand on Instagram, TikTok, X and Facebook.
*Vita Coco Original Coconut Water has 1,149mg of electrolytes per 500ml; leading sports drink has ~292mg of electrolytes per 500ml.
About The Vita Coco Company
The Vita Coco Company is a family of brands on a mission to reimagine what’s possible when brands deliver healthy, nutritious, and great-tasting products that are better for consumers and better for the world. This includes its flagship coconut water brand Vita Coco and protein-infused water PWR LIFT. The Company was co-founded in 2004 by Michael Kirban and Ira Liran and is a public benefit corporation and Certified B Corporation. Vita Coco, the principal brand within the Company’s portfolio, is the leading coconut water brand in the U.S. With electrolytes, nutrients, and vitamins, coconut water has become a top beverage choice among consumers after a workout, in smoothies, as a cocktail mixer, after a night out, and more.
Press Contact
vitacoco@autumncommunications.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e770c0f3-b005-4096-8293-d5dab76d04ca
FAQ
What did Vita Coco announce on January 13, 2026 about Weston McKennie (COCO)?
How will the Vita Coco and Weston McKennie partnership affect COCO marketing for 2026?
How many electrolytes does Vita Coco Original contain compared to leading sports drinks (per 500ml)?
Where can consumers buy Vita Coco Original Coconut Water mentioned in the COCO announcement?
Will Weston McKennie appear during the 2026 international soccer tournament in Vita Coco campaigns?
