AMERICANS CAN PUT THEIR FACE ON M&M'S
Source: Mars Snackfood US
Jul 2, 2008 - 9:07:56 AM
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World's Leading Confectioner Redefines Premium and Personalized Chocolate,
Announces New Products and Innovations From M&M'S®, DOVE® Chocolate and More
at All Candy Expo
CHICAGO (May 20, 2008) --- Mars Snackfood US announced
today that America's favorite candy is getting a little more personal with the
introduction of MY M&M'S® Faces, which lets consumers print their faces on
an M&M — available only at mymms.com. This head-turning innovation was the
spotlight new product revealed at the National Confectioners Association All
Candy Expo, the largest confectionery, cookie and snack show in America. The
world's leading confectioner, Mars Snackfood US also announced the launch of
M&M'S® Premiums — the brand's entry in redefining the premium chocolate
category; and introduced a new way for Americans to enjoy the classic tablet
chocolate bar through revolutionized packaging via its DOVE® Chocolate
brand.
"It's our commitment to innovation, developing quality products,
giving our consumers choices, and staying relevant and fun that has made Mars
the undisputed leader in chocolate," said Michele Kessler, vice president of
marketing, Mars Snackfood. "That leadership is evident in our breakthrough
product launches and creative marketing programs across all our major brands
including MY M&M'S®, M&M'S®, DOVE®, and
SNICKERS®."
Personalization Comes To Candy
While consumer
personalization has hit products from cell phones to sneakers, Mars Snackfood US
is leading the way in bringing this trend to the candy category. In an industry
first, Mars Snackfood US is giving consumers the ability to print their face on
an M&M with the launch of MY M&M'S® Faces. Now, images can be combined
with two to three custom messages creating a powerful and personalized
story-telling experience. Consumers can purchase MY M&M'S Faces at mymms.com
and prices vary per order.
Premiumization Redefined
Mars
Snackfood US has also helped make America's chocolate palette more sophisticated
by leading the growth in premium chocolates. These nuanced flavors and textures
will come to candy aisles across the country in a whole new package when, for
the first time in the brand's history, M&M'S® Premiums hit store shelves.
The M&M'S® brand is offering adults a modern complement to the classic
chocolate favorite. The fanciful chocolates are enrobed in thin, jewel-toned
shimmering shells that resemble precious gemstones. The smooth, rich chocolates
burst with layers of sophisticated flavor including Chocolate Almond, Mint
Chocolate, Mocha, Raspberry Almond and Triple Chocolate and are available
nationwide this Summer for $3.99 per box.
The growth in premium is
largely fueled by DOVE® Chocolate, which has grown faster than the entire
category. In the past year, the premium chocolate category increased more than
nine percent*. Today, Mars Snackfood US announced a first-in-category innovative
new format for its DOVE® tablet bar collection. The tablet bar features three
individually-wrapped pieces in an elegant, recloseable pack — addressing
consumers' desire for portion control, portability, share-ability and freshness.
The DOVE® tablet bar collection is available nationwide this Summer retails for
$1.99 per individual bar.
DOVE delivers premium personalization with MY
DOVE® chocolate. Consumers can print personalized messages inside the wrappers —
allowing them to make special moments more memorable. Product and pricing can be
found only at mydovechocolate.com.
Other innovative quality products
that deliver Mars Snackfood US signature sense of fun for 2008 include:
•
M&M'S® Ice Cream Treats deliver an old favorite in a cool new way.
America's number one candy brand takes over the ice cream freezer, featuring
creamy vanilla ice cream dipped in a chocolate coating and covered with a
colorful candy shell. M&M'S® Ice Cream Treats hit freezers in June
2008.
• MY Team® M&M'S® features the team logos and colors of
all Major League BaseballTM teams on M&M'S®, giving fans a fun and delicious
way to demonstrate their team spirit and show their true team colors. MY Team®
M&M'S® can be ordered online at www.mymms.com/mlb or by calling
888-696-6788.
• SNICKERS® Rockin' Nut Road™ Limited Edition
delivers the delicious ice cream flavor of Rocky Road™ ice cream in a SNICKERS®
bar. New SNICKERS® Rockin' Nut Road™ has a marshmallow-flavored nougat base
underneath a mixture of almonds and caramel, all wrapped in dark chocolate. This
new line extension will be available nationwide in September 2008.
•
STARBURST® GUMMIBURSTS™ Liquid Filled Gummies produce a juicy burst of
intense fruit flavor with a chewy gummi outside and a luscious, fruit-flavored
liquid inside. Featuring real fruit juice, STARBURST® GummiBursts™ come in
cherry, lemon, orange and strawberry. The product became available in spring
2008.
About Mars Snackfood US:
Mars Snackfood US is the United
States snack operations of Mars North America. With more than $7 billion in
annual sales in the U.S., Mars North America includes food, snack and pet care
segments, which are a symbol of excellence for quality brands. Headquartered in
Hackettstown, New Jersey, Mars North America employs more than 12,000 associates
in the United States, with 54 facilities nationwide. Mars Snackfood US includes
some of the world's favorite brands such as DOVE CHOCOLATE® Brand, M&M'S®
Brand, MILKY WAY® Brand, SKITTLES® Brand, SNICKERS® Brand, STARBURST® Brand,
THREE MUSKETEERS® Brand, TWIX® Brand and more. Additional popular brands in the
petcare and food segments for Mars North America include UNCLE BEN'S® Brand,
PEDIGREE® Brand Food for Dogs, and WHISKAS® Brand Food for Cats. Please visit
mars.com
*Based on IRI data for the 52 weeks ending Feb. 24,
2008.
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