There's Something New Inside M&M'S(R) Candies - Idols and Pretzel

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., May 28 /PRNewswire/ -- To celebrate the release of new M&M'S® Pretzel Chocolate Candies, this season's American Idol finalists will perform their first public live concert from the inside of a giant M&M'S® stage in New York City next week.  Details, including information on the opportunity to watch the performance live online, will be available on the M&M'S® Facebook page, www.facebook.com/mms, on Tuesday, June 1, 2010.

Now in its ninth season, American Idol remains television's most popular series, empowering contestants and viewers to share their voices in deciding who will be America's next singing superstar. The M&M'S® Pretzel performance will feature all ten finalists, including winner, Lee DeWyze, who'll perform some of their favorite songs from Season Nine.  The performance is also the kick-off to the American Idols Live! Tour 2010, which will be sponsored by M&M'S® Pretzel Chocolate Candies.  The first stop of the tour is on July 1, 2010, in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

"When you put something as exciting as a pretzel inside M&M'S® Candies, you need to throw an unforgettable party," said Debra A. Sandler, chief consumer officer, Mars Chocolate North America.  "We think the chance to see all ten finalists from this season of American Idol perform their first live concert from inside an M&M'S® stage – for free – fits the bill.  Of course, we're sure that M&M'S® Pretzel will never be voted out of any party."

Sweet, Salty and Sensible

M&M'S® Pretzel Chocolate Candies are not only salty and sweet, but they also contain 30 percent less fat – on average – than other leading chocolate snacks, providing a sensible bite-sized treat for any party.  Pretzel is the newest taste to go inside M&M'S Candies; other flavors include Plain, Peanut, Peanut Butter, Dark Chocolate, Dark Chocolate Peanut, Coconut, Almond and Cherry.

Chocolate and pretzel lovers alike can find M&M'S® Pretzel Chocolate Candies nationwide in food, mass, convenience and drug stores.  For more information about M&M'S® Pretzel, including the special American Idol live concert event, visit www.facebook.com/mms.

About 19 Entertainment Ltd.:

19 Entertainment Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of CKX, Inc.(Nasdaq: CKXE), is engaged in the ownership, development and commercial utilization of entertainment content.  19 Entertainment represents stars including David and Victoria Beckham, Carrie Underwood, Andy Murray, Daughtry, Annie Lennox, Will Young, Cathy Dennis, The Spice Girls and others.  19 Entertainment is the producer / co-producer of several internationally successful TV formats including "American Idol," "Little Britain USA" and "So You Think You Can Dance."  19 Recordings is a major producer of music in North America with over 100 million units sold in the last ten years by stars including Adam Lambert, Kelly Clarkson, David Cook, Jordin Sparks, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, Kris Allen and others.

About M&M'S®:

M&M'S® has been producing colourful chocolate fun for Americans since 1941.  There are more than eight permanent varieties of M&M'S® Chocolate Candies, in addition to Seasonal Candies made for special occasions including Easter, Holiday, Halloween and Valentine's Day.  Customers seem to be most passionate about the color found in each bag of M&M'S® Chocolate Candies.  Existing product lines include: M&M'S® Milk Chocolate Candies, M&M'S® Dark Chocolate Candies, M&M'S® Peanut Chocolate Candies, M&M'S® Dark Chocolate Peanut Candies, M&M'S® Almond Chocolate Candies, M&M'S® Peanut Butter Chocolate Candies, M&M'S® Chocolate Mini Baking Bits, MY M&M'S® Milk Chocolate Candies and M&M'S® MINIS® Milk Chocolate Candies.  Please visit mms.com

About Mars Chocolate North America:

Mars Chocolate North America is the North American chocolate operations of Mars, Incorporated.  Mars, Incorporated is a private, family-owned company founded in 1911 and employing more than 65,000 associates at over 370 sites, including 135 factories, in 68 countries worldwide.  Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, U.S.A., Mars, Incorporated is one of the world's largest food companies, generating global sales of more than $28 billion annually and operating in six business segments: Chocolate, Petcare, Wrigley Gum and Confections, Food, Drinks, and Symbioscience.  These segments produce some of the world's leading brands: Chocolate – M&M'S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Petcare – PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, SHEBA®, CESAR®, NUTRO®, GREENIES®, and ROYAL CANIN®; Wrigley – ORBIT®, EXTRA®, STARBURST®, DOUBLEMINT® and SKITTLES®; Food – UNCLE BEN'S®, DOLMIO®, EBLY®, MASTERFOODS® and SEEDS OF CHANGE®; Drinks – KLIX® and FLAVIA®; Symbioscience – WISDOM PANEL™, SERAMIS®, CIRKUHEALTH™ and COCOAPRO®.

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

SOURCE M&M'S