Diddy_Mark Wahlberg

Longtime associates Diddy and Mark Wahlberg venture into business together.

Diddy and Mark Wahlberg have announced the launch of their new performance water AQUAhydrate.

According to a press release, the entertainment mogul and actor have formed a joint venture with Southern California’s fitness and wellness water brand AQUAhydrate. As part of the agreement, the pair will oversee business strategies alongside CEO John Cochran, formerly President of Fiji Water. They will also help secure retail partnerships for the beverage, and have already inked deals with GNC, Safeway and Kroger.

AQUAhydrate, which was voted BevNET’s Best of 2012 award for Best Product Revamp, is a performance water without sugar and calories found in other sports drinks. The company recently netted a partnership with the Los Angeles Clippers to be serviced to the team on and off the court.

“This is a truly innovative company, and I’m thrilled to be part of it,” says Wahlberg. “We all strive to do the best we can for our bodies but sometimes schedules, stress and other factors get in the way. AQUAhydrate helps me achieve the balance my body needs, no matter what. I enjoy being involved in every aspect of the AQUAhydrate brand and I’m looking forward to a very successful partnership.”

“As a brand architect, I am incredibly passionate and equally committed to every aspect of the businesses that I get involved with,” adds Diddy. “Partnering with AQUAhydrate and Mark is an incredible opportunity for me and I am looking forward to making history in the process. It’s important for me to be part of something that drives me and is constantly pushing the boundaries, and that’s what AQUAhydrate does. Together, we’re going to take AQUAhydrate to the next level.”

Diddy and Wahlberg’s relationship extends back many years. Earlier in 2013, the latter hinted to WENNthat the two had a business partnership in the works and that they’ve known each other from Puff’s intern days.

“We started out around the same time. I met him at Uptown Records working for Andre Harrell as an intern and we’ve known each other forever,” said Wahlberg.