Mars Chocolate North America to Distribute Nine Million Mars Random Acts of Chocolate This Fall

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., Sept. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Mars Chocolate North America coordinated 50,000 Mars Random Acts of Chocolate by delivering free samples of their iconic chocolate brands to New Yorkers via bike messengers in Manhattan.  Mars Random Acts of Chocolate was developed to distribute nine million of the company's iconic chocolate products to fans across the United States this fall.

Americans can score free M&M'S®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, 3 MUSKETEERS® or MILKY WAY® Brand Chocolates through a number of Mars Random Acts of Chocolate this fall, including:

• Log onto either the M&M'S, SNICKERS, TWIX, 3 MUSKETEERS or MILKY WAY Facebook page on September 8, 2011, to secure a free coupon of their choice, as well as the opportunity to give a free coupon to one of their Facebook friends (while supplies last).
• Listen to one of their favorite Clear Channel radio stations who'll be giving away free Mars Chocolate throughout the month of September.
• Purchase any two Mars Chocolate North America brands – M&M'S, SNICKERS, TWIX, 3 MUSKETEERS or MILKY WAY and get one free with coupons at participating retailers.

"We all know that chocolate can instantly brighten someone's day," said Debra A. Sandler, Chief Consumer Officer, Mars Chocolate North America.  "We plan to do our part to brighten moods in America by distributing more than nine million free chocolate bars, but we also encourage our fans to show how thoughtful they are by doing a Mars Random Acts of Chocolate for someone they care about."

For more information about Mars Chocolate North America's Random Acts of Chocolate, visit the M&M'S, SNICKERS, TWIX, 3 MUSKETEERS or MILKY WAY Facebook pages.

About Mars Chocolate North America:

Mars Chocolate North America is the North American chocolate operations of Mars, Incorporated.  In 1911, Frank C. Mars made the first Mars candies in his Tacoma, Washington kitchen and established Mars' first roots as a confectionery company.  In the 1920s, Forrest E. Mars, Sr. joined his father in business and together they launched the MILKY WAY® bar.  In 1932, Forrest, Sr. moved to the United Kingdom with a dream of  building a business based on the philosophy of a "mutuality of benefits" for all stakeholders – this vision serves as the foundation of the Mars, Incorporated we are today.  Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars has net sales of more than $30 billion and six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks and Symbioscience.  More than 65,000 Associates worldwide are putting our Mars Principles in action every day to make a difference for people and the planet through our performance.

Mars brands include: Chocolate – M&M'S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Petcare – PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, SHEBA®, CESAR® and ROYAL CANIN®; Wrigley – ORBIT®, EXTRA®, STARBURST®, DOUBLEMINT® and SKITTLES®; Food – UNCLE BEN'S®, DOLMIO®, EBLY®, MASTERFOODS® and SEEDS OF CHANGE®; Drinks – ALTERRA COFFEE ROASTERS™, THE BRIGHT TEA CO.™, KLIX® and FLAVIA®; Symbioscience –SERAMIS®, CIRKU™ and COCOAVIA™.

For more information, please visit www.mars.com.

SOURCE Mars Chocolate North America