SKITTLES® HELPS PEOPLE "SEE THE RAINBOW" BY HIGHLIGHTING DYNAMIC GROUPS WITHIN THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY THIS PRIDE

SKITTLES puts the spotlight on community in collaboration with GLAAD, supports local LGBTQ+ interest groups across the U.S.

NEWARK, N.J., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, SKITTLES^® is kicking off its annual Pride celebration by spotlighting the many interests, talents and hobbies within the LGBTQ+ community. Whether it's a passion for pickleball, or yearning for yoga, SKITTLES is amplifying the importance of finding your community – because when you find your community, your colors shine.

The brand also believes in uplifting the LGBTQ+ community and supporting those looking to find camaraderie with individuals who have similar interests. SKITTLES partnered with community-building platform, Meetup, to create the "SKITTLES LGBTQ+ Directory, powered by Meetup." The directory consists of a wide range of LGBTQ+ groups, events, resources and more to help future friends across the country find their community. This simple to navigate landing page will help like-minded gamers, pickleball players, yogis, bookworms, birders and much more find their local community groups and events – all year-round.

SKITTLES has also released its annual limited-edition 2024 Pride pack, which celebrates the message of community. The pack was designed in partnership with female & minority-owned production company, NERD Productions and their talented LGBTQ+ artists, to illustrate the dynamic individuals and diverse groups that make up the LGBTQ+ community. For the fifth year in a row, SKITTLES will donate $1 per every Pride pack sold (up to $100,000) to GLAAD in support of its ongoing efforts to work through media to increase visibility for the LGBTQ+ community. The pack release will be followed by a year of celebrations of local groups and communities that help fans "See the Rainbow."

"We know the LGBTQ+ community is one that is comprised of strong, dynamic individuals with a wide array of interests and passions," said Gabrielle Wesley, Chief Marketing Officer, Mars Wrigley North America. "Our SKITTLES Pride pack and community celebrations are intended to inspire moments of everyday happiness by celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in a way that lets all unique colors shine."

Designed with the colors of SKITTLES' signature rainbow and with inspiration from inclusive Pride flags, the Pride pack features symbols of community, friendship, and several micro-LGBTQ+ communities as part of SKITTLES' full year program – including roller derby, filmmaking and videography, marching bands and more. 

As a show of on-going support for the LGBTQ+ community beyond June, SKITTLES is sponsoring five local LGBTQ+ communities across the United States to help shine a light on their organizations, members and how being a part of the community has helped them "See The Rainbow." The five colorful groups include:

• The Queer Big Apple Corps: New York City's premiere symphonic and marching band that provides adults within the LGBTQ+ community and allies with a supportive and friendly environment for musical and artistic expression.
• Reeling Film Festival: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival recognizes the important contributions that LGBTQ+ filmmakers have made to society, shines a light on the community's struggles, and uplifts the community's history.
• Urban Bird Collective: Birdwatchers and stewards of nature, the Minneapolis-based group creates safe spaces that center BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities to enjoy the natural environment while building birdwatching skills.
• Bay Area Derby: An LGBTQ+ friendly Bay Area derby league whose mission includes providing inclusive amateur athletic entertainment and competitive roller derby at all levels.
• Las Vegas Gaymers: Las Vegas' premiere gaming group that focuses on providing a safe community for queer and LGBTQ+ gamers.

GLAAD and SKITTLES are also coming together for a Pride Month Donor Matching Campaign, where GLAAD donors can receive a limited-edition hip pack featuring the signature 2024 SKITTLES Pride pack design. SKITTLES will match all donations up to $25,000 - the first 500 donors to make a matched gift of $75 or more to the matching campaign will receive the hip pack filled with SKITTLES and patches to personalize their hip pack.

"2024 is our fifth year partnering with SKITTLES, and we are thrilled by their unwavering support of the LGBTQ community," said Raymond Dooley, VP of Marketing at GLAAD. "Here at GLAAD, we are proud to help the brand create connections for everyone this Pride, and always." 

While the SKITTLES Pride packs will only be on shelf for a limited time this summer, SKITTLES will continue celebrating the LGBTQ+ community past Pride month in June. For more information about SKITTLES Pride initiatives, including the various partnerships and spotlights of our five community groups, visit Skittles.com/PRIDE or follow SKITTLES on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. 

ABOUT MARS, INCORPORATED 
Mars, Incorporated is driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. As a global, family-owned business, Mars is transforming, innovating, and evolving to make a positive impact on the world. 

Across our diverse and expanding portfolio of quality confectionery, food, and pet care products and services, we employ 140,000+ dedicated Associates. With more than $47 billion in annual sales, we produce some of the world's best-loved brands including Ben's Original™, CESAR^®, Cocoavia^®, DOVE^®, EXTRA^®, KIND^®, M&M's^®, SNICKERS^®, PEDIGREE^®, ROYAL CANIN^®, and WHISKAS^®. We are creating a better world for pets through our global network of pet hospitals and diagnostic services – including AniCura, BANFIELD™, BLUEPEARL™, Linnaeus and VCA™ – using cutting edge technology to develop breakthrough programs in genetic health screening and DNA testing. For more information about Mars, please visit www.mars.com. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

ABOUT GLAAD
GLAAD is the world's largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization working to protect all that has been accomplished in LGBTQ representation in media, while leading the charge to create a world where everyone can live the life they love. GLAAD tackles tough issues and provokes dialogue that leads to cultural change through increased media accountability, corporate engagement initiatives, and advocacy programs that help to ensure 100% inclusion and acceptance of the LGBTQ community.

ABOUT MEETUP
Meetup is an online event platform with the mission of fostering authentic human connection through shared experiences. Since 2002, Meetup has facilitated the creation and discovery of high-quality events and engaged local communities. Today, Meetup is home to 60 million members and 330,000 groups spanning 10,000 cities in 193 countries worldwide. Learn more at https://www.meetup.com/.

Media Contacts

Mars Wrigley
Erin DeAngelo
[email protected]     

Weber Shandwick
Austen Hohendorf
[email protected] 

SOURCE Mars, Incorporated