Vanessa Williams Bites Into Her Sweetest Role Ever: Voice Behind M&M'S® Brand Spokescandy, Ms. Brown

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., Feb. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Mars Chocolate North America introduced the world to the sixth M&M'S® Brand character, Ms. Brown, during the first quarter of Super Bowl XLVI.  The M&M'S Brand also revealed the sweet voice behind Ms. Brown -- television, film, Broadway and music superstar, Vanessa Williams.

The ad, created by BBDO New York, thrust Ms. Brown into the spotlight after working behind-the-scenes for the past seventy years as Chief Chocolate Officer (CCO).  In her role as CCO, Ms. Brown helped launch several new products and innovations in an effort to ensure M&M'S remain one of the best-selling milk chocolate candies in the world.  She recently decided she could do even more good for the brand by stepping outside the executive office and serving as a public spokescandy, and chose the Super Bowl as the best place to make her presence known.

Ms. Brown's dry humor and sharp tongue requires the voice of not just a superstar – but also that of a perfectionist, like herself, with perfect timing and perfect delivery. Possessing this winning combination was Williams, a multi-talented veteran of the stage, screen and television. Williams has played many characters that exude the personality traits of Ms. Brown, giving her plenty of experience and distinction to serve as the voice of the milk chocolate character.

"We're very excited to welcome Vanessa to the M&M'S family," said Debra A. Sandler, Chief Consumer Officer, Mars Chocolate North America. "We're confident Vanessa's personality, and unforgettable voice make her the perfect person to showcase Ms. Brown's personality."

Ms. Brown will occupy the national spotlight throughout 2012 to showcase that M&M'S are not your average milk chocolate. She'll be featured in a series of television, print and digital ads, in-store displays, promotions, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

M&M'S Brand is also coordinating a series of activities to ensure fans can learn more about Ms. Brown's life in milk chocolate, including:

• A live chat with Ms. Brown on Tuesday, February 7, 2012, starting at 11:00 a.m. ET at www.facebook.com/mms.
• M&M'S will open the Museum of Chocolate Art in New York City on Wednesday, February 8, 2012.  The museum, which is located at 468 Broadway, will be free and open to the general public daily from 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. through Sunday, February 12, 2012.  The museum features nearly 20 commissioned art pieces created with real milk chocolate that tell Ms. Brown's life story.  Fans unable to make it to New York City can see a virtual tour of the Museum of Chocolate Art at www.facebook.com/mms.
• Ms. Brown will make several cameo appearances during NBC's Celebrity Apprentice beginning Sunday, February 19.
• Fans can interact with Ms. Brown on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mms, as well as Twitter at www.twitter.com/mmsbrown.

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

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