Ghirardelli SQUARES(R) Chocolate Launches Million Moments of Timeless Pleasure(TM) Sweepstakes

SAN FRANCISCO, March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Ghirardelli SQUARES® Chocolate announced today its Million Moments of Timeless Pleasure™ sweepstakes, which invites consumers to share their favorite "Ghirardelli moment" for a chance to win a trip or one of thousands of chocolate prizes.  Select moments will be broadcasted in the country's busiest intersection -- New York's Times Square – and also streamed live via an interactive Web site (www.ghirardellimoments.com) for fans to see throughout the country.  

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100308/NY65577 )

"Our customers have told us that there are a million different moments during the day when they reach for our premium chocolate, such as for a burst of energy after a long day or as a special reward after a big success," explains Mona Maher, Vice President of Marketing for Ghirardelli Chocolate Company.  "We wanted to capture all of these 'sweet' little moments and reward fans with even more of their favorite rich chocolate and luscious fillings!"

Share Your Ghirardelli Moment To Win!

Beginning today through October 31st, customers can enter their moment at www.ghirardellimoments.com and automatically be entered to win a trip to one of four world famous squares – New York's Times Square, Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco, St. Marks Square in Venice or Trafalgar Square in London.  In addition to the free trip, customers will also be entered to win thousands of instant chocolate prizes, including bags of Ghirardelli SQUARE chocolates and Ghirardelli gift baskets.  One lucky person will win free chocolate for a year.  Customers can enter a moment each day for even more chances to win.

The online sweepstakes begins today and runs through October 31, 2010.  For more information visit www.ghirardellimoments.com.

See Your Moment In Lights!

"We're so excited to hear from our fans that we're even giving them a chance to see their moments in lights, on a special billboard in Times Square!," says Maher.  "Beginning today through the end of April, consumers' moments will be running in Times Square -- and streaming through our interactive website -- for fans across the country to see and share."    

Giving Away One Million Free Chocolate Moments Across the Country!

Additionally, lucky consumers in 10 cities will receive free samples of Ghirardelli SQUARES throughout March and April.  In conjunction with the sweepstakes, Ghirardelli will be distributing ONE MILLION pieces of chocolate – creating an additional one million sweet moments across the country.  The tour will visit Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Miami, FL; Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; San Francisco, CA; and Washington, DC through March & April.  Consumers can locate the Ghirardelli SQUARES team in action by following us on Twitter @GhirardelliTour.  

The Rich Chocolate and Luscious Fillings of Ghirardelli SQUARES® Chocolates

Ghirardelli SQUARES® chocolates deliver the perfect balance of rich, slow-melting Ghirardelli chocolate and luscious fillings in a variety of delectable flavors, including:

• Milk Chocolate with Caramel – Buttery caramel soft filling surrounded by rich milk chocolate
• Solid Dark Chocolate (60% Cacao) – Pure, intense 60% cacao dark chocolate decadence
• Dark Chocolate with Mint – Tantalizingly refreshing mint filling surrounded by intense dark chocolate
• Dark Chocolate with Raspberry – Delectably luscious raspberry filling made with real fruit surrounded by intense dark chocolate
• Milk Chocolate with Peanut Butter – Rich creamy chocolate and gourmet peanut butter with crunchy peanuts roasted to perfection
• Dark Chocolate with Caramel (60% Cacao) – Buttery caramel soft filling surrounded by intense dark chocolate

The Everyday SQUARES stand-up bags, which contain 4.69oz to 5.32oz of chocolate, retail for approximately $3.69.  They are available everywhere you shop, including at Walmart, Target, Safeway, Kroger, Publix, Stop & Shop, Walgreens, CVS/pharmacy, Rite Aid, Cost Plus World Market, Border's, Bed Bath & Beyond, Costco, Sam's Club and other major retailers across the country.

About The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company

The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is a manufacturer and marketer of premium chocolate products.  Incorporated in 1852, Ghirardelli has an incredibly rich American history.  As the country's longest continuously operating chocolate manufacturer, Ghirardelli has established its position as America's Premium Chocolate Company with more than 150 years of chocolate making experience.  Ghirardelli's product line includes its signature Squares™ chocolate, Intense Dark™ chocolate, LUXE MILK™ chocolate, Ghirardelli Chocolate Bars, other chocolate confections, baking chocolate and beverages.  These items are sold through select specialty stores, grocery stores, drug stores, mass merchandisers and department stores.  In addition, Ghirardelli sells a line of premium chocolate, syrups and drinks for the Food Service channel.  Ghirardelli currently owns and operates 14 retail stores in five states, including the original Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop located in San Francisco's historic Ghirardelli Square.  For more information about Ghirardelli, visit www.ghirardelli.com.  

SOURCE Ghirardelli Chocolate Company