Snickers® Bites Partners with Bite-size Female Jockey

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., May 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the nation's leading jockeys, Rosie Napravnik, may be bite-sized, but if she wins America's most famous horse race in Kentucky this weekend, she'll not only make history, she'll satisfy America's hunger in a BIG way.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130501/CG053180)

Today Mars Chocolate North America officially partnered with Rosie by announcing SNICKERS® Brand will give away 1 million SNICKERS® Bites – which are unwrapped, bite-sized versions of the hunger-satisfying candy bar – if she wins the famous race on May 4.

"Rosie Napravnik is a great athlete who is a lot like SNICKERS Bites – they may be small, but they're substantial," said Roy Benin, Chief Consumer Officer at Mars Chocolate North America. "Rosie is already chasing history, so fans shouldn't need additional reasons to root for her – but we're giving them 1 million new ones anyway."

Napravnik, 25, is one of the leading jockeys in wins in North America and has quickly become a fan favorite around the world in the sport of kings. Should she win Saturday, she will become the first woman to do so in the prestigious event's history. A High Bridge, NJ, native, she spent much of her life around the stables and began riding professionally in 2005. Her partnership with SNICKERS Bites stands as her first endorsement with a national consumer brand.

"Riding in such a prestigious event is definitely an honor, but make no mistake, I'm out to win," said Napravnik. "Winning on Saturday would fulfill a life-long dream, but knowing fans would be rewarded by SNICKERS would make it even more satisfying."

SNICKERS Bites are a new hunger-satisfying innovation that offers the trademark SNICKERS combination of chocolate, peanuts, caramel and nougat shrunk down in small, no fuss, "pop 'em in your mouth" milk chocolate cubes. The unwrapped treats are ideal for sharing, whether you're watching a movie, attending a gathering or cheering Rosie and her mount as they head down the home stretch.

If Rosie and her mount win on Saturday, then SNICKERS will offer 1 million SNICKERS Bites (equal to 62,500 bags with 16 pieces each) on a first come, first serve basis (while supplies last) in June. The brand will announce complete details on their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/snickers) within days of her victory.

SNICKERS Bites are available nationwide at club, convenience, drug, grocery, mass, specialty and value stores.

About Mars Chocolate North America:

Mars Chocolate North America LLC 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 philosophy of a "mutuality of benefits" for all stakeholders – this vision serves as the foundation of the Mars, Incorporated we are today.  Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars has net sales of more than $30 billion and six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks and Symbioscience.  More than 65,000 Associates worldwide are putting our Mars Principles in action every day to make a difference for people and the planet through our performance.

Mars brands include: Chocolate – M&M'S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Petcare – PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, SHEBA®, CESAR® and ROYAL CANIN®; Wrigley – ORBIT®, EXTRA®, STARBURST®, DOUBLEMINT® and SKITTLES®; Food – UNCLE BEN'S®, DOLMIO®, EBLY®, MASTERFOODS® and SEEDS OF CHANGE®; Drinks – ALTERRA COFFEE ROASTERS™, THE BRIGHT TEA CO.™, KLIX® and FLAVIA®; Symbioscience –SERAMIS®, CIRKU™ and COCOAVIA™.

For more information, please visit www.mars.com.

SOURCE Mars Chocolate North America