Brown's Inc. is a U$.$S$.-$based chocolate manufacturer. Browns' Inc. collaborates with a Brazilian company to source a premier type of raw cocoa. The cocoa sourced from Brazil along with Browns' unique recipe creates chocolate products that are differentiated based on taste and quality. The alliance between the two firms is an example of

A$)$ a vertical alliance

B$)$ a horizontal alliance

C$)$ a joint venture

D$)$ a reciprocal alliance