EXTRA® Refreshers Gum Partners with Karamo Brown to Speak at Chaffey College Commencement

EXTRA® and Brown seek to inspire graduates to celebrate small gestures

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May 14, 2019, 09:00 ET

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., May 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, EXTRA^® Refreshers Gum announced its partnership with Karamo Brown to speak at the 102nd Chaffey College commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 23 at 4 p.m. PDT at Citizens Business Bank Arena. To celebrate the launch of its new product, EXTRA^® Refreshers Gum, the brand is bringing together the inspirational star and a school whose students are making an impact in their community.

Chaffey College Logo

The first-of-its-kind partnership is aimed at recognizing what the EXTRA^® brand stands for: how connecting with others – even through small gestures like sharing gum – can lead to something extremely meaningful. As students celebrate their accomplishments and begin their next chapter, EXTRA^® Refreshers Gum saw an opportunity to inspire students who are already impacting their community through small gestures.

"With the launch of the new EXTRA^® Refreshers Gum, we wanted to celebrate the importance of the small gestures in life that can have a meaningful impact, and the Chaffey College class of 2019 is a perfect representation of 'giving Extra,'" said Justin Hollyn-Taub, Marketing Director for EXTRA^® Gum. "Chaffey stood out to us because of the students' dedication to giving back to their community, and in return, we hope to inspire these graduates to positively impact others as they begin the next chapter in their lives."

Inspired by Karamo Brown's power to bring people together, EXTRA^® set out to find the perfect partners for commencement. With a background in social work, he leverages his knowledge, personal experience and public visibility to promote inclusiveness and support those in need. Paired with Chaffey students' commitment to service and programs that support their diverse student body, this partnership brings the brand philosophy of "Give Extra, get extra" to life in a never-before-seen way to launch EXTRA^® Refreshers Gum.

"Meaningful connections with others is something I really value, and it's something that the EXTRA^® Gum brand stands for. When new EXTRA^® Refreshers Gum approached me about inspiring college students who inspire them, I knew I had to be part of it," said Brown.

"The sense of community at Chaffey College is inspiring. Our students strive to make a difference in the world through acts, both big and small, and we're extremely proud of their ongoing commitment to the community and each other," said Chaffey College Superintendent and President Dr. Henry Shannon. "As we celebrate their success and this momentous occasion, we're excited to welcome Karamo Brown to be part of this year's commencement ceremony."

EXTRA^® Refreshers Gum is also donating $50,000 to Chaffey College to support ongoing efforts by the students and school.

Karamo Brown's speech will be streamed live on the Chaffey College website the day of the speech and will be available on the EXTRA^® Gum YouTube channel following the ceremony.

As part of the launch of new EXTRA^® Refreshers Gum, last month the brand also introduced the next chapter in the "Give Extra, get extra" story with the debut of its new ad, "Max & Bill." The story highlights an unexpected friendship between two strangers, showing how small, unexpected gestures – like sharing gum – can help form a lasting and meaningful relationship.

For more information, follow @ExtraGum on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube, and visit www.extragum.com.

About Mars, Incorporated
Mars is a family-owned business with more than a century of history making diverse products and offering services for people and the pets people love. With almost $35 billion in sales, the company is a global business that produces some of the world's best-loved brands: M&M'S^®, SNICKERS^®, TWIX^®, MILKY WAY^®, DOVE^®, PEDIGREE^®, ROYAL CANIN^®, WHISKAS^®, EXTRA^®, ORBIT^®, 5™, SKITTLES^®, UNCLE BEN'S^®, MARS DRINKS and COCOAVIA^®. Mars also provides veterinary health services that include BANFIELD^® Pet Hospitals, Blue Pearl^®, VCA^® and Pet Partners™. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles—Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom—inspire its more than 100,000 Associates to create value for all its partners and deliver growth they are proud of every day.

For more information about Mars, please visit www.mars.com. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

About Chaffey College
Chaffey College is a two-year community college that grants associate degrees and certificates to prepare students for academic advancement and professional careers. Students can pursue 28 transferrable degrees, as well as certificates, at the college's three Inland Empire campuses, online and at high schools throughout the region. The college, a federally-designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, has a diverse student body that mirrors the diversity of Southern California. Chaffey College was founded in 1883, making it one of the oldest community colleges in the state.

Points of pride:

Named top 10 community college in the nation – Aspen Institute, 2017
Named "One of the 12 Most Innovative Colleges for Adult Learners" – Washington Monthly, 2017
Awarded $1 million Chancellor's Higher Education Innovation Award - 2018
Established the Center for Culture and Social Justice - 2018

SOURCE Mars, Incorporated