DEVELOPING MARKETS POWER BRAND, LACTA, CELEBRATES 100TH BIRTHDAY

NORTHFIELD, Ill., Jan. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A century ago in Sao Paulo, Achilles Izella, the Swiss Consul in Brazil, introduced a locally-made, Swiss-inspired chocolate brand to Brazilians: Lacta. This month, Lacta celebrates its 100th birthday, reigning as the undisputed top-selling chocolate brand in Brazil with about 37 percent[1] of the market.  Part of Kraft Foods, the world's largest chocolate maker, Lacta joins the company's 40 other centenarians, including Cadbury Dairy Milk, Halls, Jacobs, Kraft, LU, Maxwell House, Philadelphia -- and soon Oreo, which turns 100 in March.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120130/CG41205)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090420/KRAFTLOGO)

"Lacta is one of 10 power brands that play a big role in our Developing Markets Winning through Focus / 5-10-10 strategy," said Sanjay Khosla, President, Developing Markets.  "Because of our increased focus and the disproportionate resources we've put behind Lacta, from 2006 through 2010 Lacta revenues more than doubled and the brand grew more than 22 percent on average annually."

Lacta, Brazil's leading chocolate brand, makes up over one-third of the roughly $2 billion in 2010 annual revenues for Kraft Foods Brazil.  And more than one-third of the company's nearly 11,000 employees in Brazil manufacture Lacta branded products. 

Investing Big in Lacta and Brazil

To expand the brand's presence, the company previously announced an $80 million investment in a new 270,000-square-foot manufacturing facility that will bring Lacta, and other products, to the fast growing north-northeast region of Brazil.  Combining the new plant and other planned expansions, the company committed to invest approximately $200 million in Brazil over 2010 and 2011 – the largest investment in the country in a decade.

Kraft Foods also boosted marketing investments with its 2011 "Entregue-se" or "Surrender Yourself" Lacta campaign.  And Lacta remains as innovative today as in its formative years with new resealable packaging across its chocolate tablet line and its Sonho de Valsa brand.  

A Brazilian Icon

Brazilian consumers enjoy Lacta in many forms and textures from Lacta tablets to Bis wafer bites to Sonho de Valsa bonbons to Laka white chocolate to Diamante Negro milk chocolate.  Lacta is a sought-after treat, shared among family and friends.  It's also given as a gift.  In fact, Sonho de Valsa, "waltz dream," has been exchanged among Brazilians as a symbol of love for generations.  And selling 26 million chocolate Easter eggs in 2011 alone, Lacta is synonymous with Easter in Brazil.

Lacta is such a cultural icon in Brazil that even its sub-brands are market leaders.  Bis is the top-selling chocolate brand and the Sohno de Valsa bonbon is twice as large as its nearest competitor[2].

A Rich History

Today, Lacta is thriving.  But the road to 100 was not easy.  The brand survived a plant fire in 1925.  It endured a bankruptcy of its former holding company in 1937.  And in 1995, its important Easter season was threatened with extinction.

"We knew Lacta was a beloved Brazilian brand with tremendous potential," said Gustavo Abelenda, President, Latin America. "But when we acquired it, the brand was days away from shutting down its Easter operations because it couldn't afford the production costs.  We immediately invested behind this important selling season and made Easter a success for Lacta.  By 2010, Easter made up nearly 20 percent of the brand's annual sales and today we're the top selling chocolate at Easter and year-round in Brazil."

Over the years, Lacta has had many highlights:

• 1912 – Lacta is introduced.
• 1938 - For the first time, Brazilians taste Sonho de Valsa bonbon – chocolate and a thin wafer layer holding a creamy cashew filling.  And Diamante Negro ("black diamond") milk chocolate is introduced.
• 1942 - Bis wafer is introduced and becomes a leader in its segment.
• 1947 - Lacta produces its first batch of chocolate Easter eggs.
• 1960 - Ouro Branco is introduced as the first Brazilian chocolate product coated in white chocolate.
• 1962 - Laka white chocolate tablet is introduced, becoming the first white chocolate bar in Brazil.
• 1998 - Pascoal, the Lacta Easter rabbit, is "born" and becomes the Lacta mascot. 
• 2009 - Mini Bis chocolate covered wafer bites are launched under the Lacta brand.
• 2010 - Delice, a mousse-filled chocolate tablet, is introduced.
• 2011 - Inauguration of the Pernambuco facility in northeast Brazil.

100 Reasons to Celebrate

Don't be fooled by the many candles on its birthday cake.  Lacta really knows how to throw a party.  In fact, nearly 11,000 employees in Brazil participated in birthday parties for Lacta.

"To celebrate the 100 years of Lacta, we'll delight consumers with even more new product innovations and breakthrough marketing," said Marcos Grasso, President, Brazil.  "And we're on track to bring Lacta to an additional 100,000 retail outlets, so even more people can enjoy this Brazilian icon."

EDITORS' NOTE: Find downloadable images for Lacta on the multimedia press release at: http://www.kraftfoodscompany.com/MediaCenter/country-press-releases/us/2012/pages/multi_media_01202012.aspx

About Kraft Foods

Kraft Foods Inc. (NYSE: KFT) is a global snacks powerhouse with an unrivaled portfolio of brands people love.  Proudly marketing delicious biscuits, confectionery, beverages, cheese, grocery products and convenient meals in approximately 170 countries, Kraft Foods had 2010 revenue of $49.2 billion.  Twelve of the company's iconic brands – Cadbury, Jacobs, Kraft, LU, Maxwell House, Milka, Nabisco, Oreo, Oscar Mayer, Philadelphia, Tang and Trident – generate revenue of more than $1 billion annually.  On Aug. 4, 2011, Kraft Foods announced plans to divide and create two independent public companies:  a high-growth global snacks business and a high-margin North American grocery business.  The transaction will take at least 12 months to complete, during which time plans regarding the structure, management, governance and other matters will be announced.  A leader in innovation, marketing, health & wellness and sustainability, Kraft Foods is a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Standard & Poor's 500, Dow Jones Sustainability Index and Ethibel Sustainability Index.  Visit www.kraftfoodscompany.com and www.facebook.com/kraftfoodscorporate.

- make today delicious -

[1] Source: AC Nielsen 2011

[2] Source: AC Nielsen 2011

SOURCE Kraft Foods