Voice of M&M'S® character Ms. Brown gives fans a first taste of M&M’S® Crispy after 10 years

Hackettstown, N.J. (Dec. 9, 2014) – As the first bags of fan-favorite M&M’S® Crispy Chocolate Candies begin to hit store shelves this month – with nationwide distribution available in January – fans in New York City received an exclusive first taste, with the help of a very special guest.

Vanessa Williams – television, Broadway and music superstar, as well as the voice behind M&M'S® Brand character Ms. Brown – joined the brand at M&M’S World® New York to celebrate the first batches of M&M’S® Crispy available on store shelves. Williams ceremoniously cut a ribbon across a special shelf stocked with M&M’S® Crispy, and handed out samples to lucky store guests, helping make the holiday season a bit sweeter. In addition, Williams unveiled new tubes on the famous M&M’S World® Candy Wall filled with M&M’S® Crispy, which allows guests to buy their favorite variety in bulk, and mix-and-match with other M&M’S® varieties and colors.

In October, Mars Chocolate North America announced that after a decade of petitions and pleas from fans, the company is officially bringing back M&M’S® Crispy. M&M’S® Crispy feature a delectable, crispy center covered in rich, creamy milk chocolate, enclosed in a colorful candy shell. This crispy, crunchy and delicious treat is featured in a new, eye-catching, bright green bag.

“The return of M&M’S® Crispy is a tribute to the incredible passion of our fans – and an opportunity to introduce this delicious product to a new generation,” said Seth Klugherz, Senior Director, M&M’S® Chocolate Candies. “We’re excited to partner with Vanessa for this next special moment, and look forward to continuing the momentum as fans get the beloved product in their hometowns.”

M&M’S® Crispy will be widely available at retailers beginning in January 2015 in Singles (1.35 oz.), Sharing Size (2.83 oz.) and Medium Laydown Bags (9.9 oz.). M&M’S World® stores in Las Vegas, Orlando and Henderson, Nevada, will host special M&M’S® Crispy sampling opportunities throughout the month of December before product becomes widely available in January. For more information, visit the M&M’S® Brand Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mms, the official M&M’S® Twitter handle @mmschocolate, or www.mms.com

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®, BANFIELD® Pet Hospital, CESAR®, SHEBA®, DREAMIES® 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.

About M&M'S World®

Offering a wide range of M&M’S® Brand Chocolate Candies and merchandise, the M&M'S World® stores reflect the huge popularity of M&M'S®, the world's most popular confectionery brand. The stores' merchandise includes apparel, kitchenware, plush, and glassware, as well as seasonal items and specially-designed M&M'S® branded items that reflect the personalities of the cities -- Las Vegas, New York City, Orlando, Henderson (Nevada), London and Shanghai -- where the stores are located.