M&M'S Shows Off Passion For Peanuts In New Online Content Series Starring Funnyman David Koechner

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., Dec. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- What do you get when you mix M&M'S® Brand's passion for peanuts with one of the world's funniest actors? Something nutty – in the best possible way. Today, Mars Chocolate North America unveiled a humorous new online content series starring beloved actor and comedian David Koechner, who rhapsodizes, analyzes and agonizes over peanuts in truly original fashion.

Directed by Tim K of Gifted Youth, Funny or Die's commercial production company, the "Search for the One" sees Koechner transform into the "Peanutty Professor," an eccentric explorer who's spent his life searching for the perfect peanut.  The series features more than a dozen long- and short-form video segments and photos following Koechner's adventures – each of which was customized to be presented on a variety of social platforms including the M&M'S Facebook, YouTube and Instagram channels.

"Just like the professor, we're nuts about peanuts too," said Roy Benin, Chief Consumer Officer, Mars Chocolate North America.  "In fact, only 1 in 100 peanuts is lucky enough to find its way into a bag of M&M'S Peanut." 

"The Search for the One" was scripted to blend the fun fans expect from M&M'S with Koechner's trademark improvisational humor.  The series is designed to help plant the seed for the launch of M&M'S "Year of Peanut" in Atlanta on New Year's Eve. The "Year of Peanut" is an innovative, year-long integrated marketing campaign to celebrate M&M'S Peanut – one of America's favorite candies since 1954.

M&M'S® "Search for the One" Content Series
The content was produced by Weber Shandwick in collaboration with Koechner, veteran comedy writer Jerry Collins and Gifted Youth. Supporting cast members include Mort Burke and Betsy Sodaro.

"Search for the One" episodes are now available at www.facebook.com/mms, www.youtube.com/mmschocolate and www.instagram.com/mmschocolate. 

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 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 72,000 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®, KITEKAT®, BANFIELD® Pet Hospital, NUTRO®, SHEBA®, DREAMIES® and CESAR®; 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 coffee,  THE BRIGHT TEA CO.^® tea, DOVE^®/GALAXY^® Hot Chocolate, and FLAVIA^® brewer; Symbioscience – COCOAVIA™, WISDOM PANEL™ and SERAMIS®. 

For more information, please visit www.mars.com.  Follow us: facebook.com/mars, twitter.com/marsglobal, youtube.com/mars.

SOURCE Mars Chocolate North America