Jean-Christophe Flatin Named President, Global Chocolate, Mars, Incorporated

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Aug 19, 2014, 09:00 ET

MCLEAN, Va., Aug. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Mars, Incorporated announced today that Jean-Christophe Flatin has been named to the role of President, Global Chocolate, Mars Incorporated, effective October 1, 2014. Flatin is currently Global President of Royal Canin, a unit of Mars Petcare. He replaces Grant F. Reid, who recently moved into the role of Office of the President for Mars, Incorporated.

As the leader of the Global Chocolate business, with iconic brands like M&M'S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®, and a growing population of over 17,000 Associates, Jean-Christophe will be responsible for setting the global agenda for all aspects of this dynamic business. He will be a member of the Mars Leadership Team, reporting directly to the Office of the President.

"We are very pleased to have a leader of Jean-Christophe's caliber at the helm of the global Chocolate business," said Reid. "Jean-Christophe's proven leadership, strategic mind set and background in finance and general management will help continue the growth of this important segment within our business."

He added, "It's always fantastic when we live out our goal of promoting from within our own business. Appointments like this remind us of how fortunate we are to have such depth and diversity of talent within Mars."

Since becoming President of Royal Canin in late 2007, Jean-Christophe has led his team to become one of the fastest-growing business units at the Mars. Prior to that, Jean-Christophe has established an impressive record of leadership and collaboration through various roles with Mars over the past 22 years.

About 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 objective of creating a "mutuality of benefits for all stakeholders" – this objective serves as the foundation of Mars, Incorporated today. Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars has net sales of more than $33 billion, six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks, Symbioscience, and more than 75,000 Associates worldwide that are putting its Principles into action to make a difference for people and the planet through its performance.

Mars brands include: Petcare – PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, KITEKAT®, BANFIELD® Pet Hospital and NUTRO®; Chocolate – M&M'S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Wrigley – DOUBLEMINT®, EXTRA®, ORBIT® and 5™ chewing gums, SKITTLES® and STARBURST® candies, and ALTOIDS® AND LIFESAVERS® mints. Food –UNCLE BEN'S®, DOLMIO®, EBLY®, MASTERFOODS®, SEEDS OF CHANGE® and ROYCO®; Drinks – ALTERRA COFFEE ROASTERS™, THE BRIGHT TEA COMPANY™, KLIX® and FLAVIA®; Symbioscience – COCOAVIA® and WISDOM PANEL®.

For more information, please visit www.mars.com. Follow us: facebook.com/mars, twitter.com/marsglobal, youtube.com/mars, linkedin.com/company/mars.

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SOURCE Mars, Incorporated