SNICKERS(R) Brand Bullish on 'Snackonomic' Climate in 2010

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Mars Chocolate North America announced today that SNICKERS® Brand, long known for providing affordable hunger satisfaction, has launched its new "Snackonomics Collect-and-Win Game," offering more than 10,000 lucky real chocolate lovers a chance to win some sweet CHOMPENSATION.

From now until March 31, 2010, people can visit www.snickers.com and enter the "Official Game Code" found under the wrapper of specially marked packages of SNICKERS® Brand products. Participants who enter codes will earn letters (A, C, K, N, O, P, S, T, Y or W) that can be used to spell one of four words on the Snackonomics game board. Those able to spell an entire word will win one of four satisfying prizes, including the SNICKERS Brand paying-off their home mortgage*.

"Often, consumers may be faced with financial challenges and will look at various ways to satisfy those needs," said Debra Sandler, chief consumer officer, Mars Chocolate North America. "The SNICKERS Snackonomics Collect-and-Win Game will not only satisfy people's hunger, but also their bank accounts."

The letters that consumers collect will spell one of the following four words that correspond with four distinct prizes, including:

• "SNACKONOMICS" = paid mortgage (one winner - valued at $225,000)
• "CHOMPENSATION" = salary for a year (two winners valued at $50,000)
• "AUTOPAYNUT" = car payment for a year (five winners valued at $5,000)
• "CHEWRENCY" = free Snickers candy bars (10,000 winners valued at $1.09)

Each time participants play the Snackonomics Collect-and-Win Game they will also receive an entry into a second-chance sweepstakes for the remaining prizes.

Mars Real Chocolate

Mars continues to be committed to its industry-leading stance to use only 100 percent cocoa butter in its U.S. chocolate products and as a private family-owned company, Mars has the freedom to invest in the highest quality, real, authentic chocolate.

Americans can be assured that Mars will not compromise the purity and authenticity of chocolate by diluting the chocolate with a cocoa butter substitute for cost-cutting reasons, no matter the "snackonomic" climate. Remember, if it's Mars, its real chocolate. For more information, please visit realchocolate.com.

For more information about the SNICKERS Snackonomics Collect-and-Win Game, visit www.snickers.com.

About Mars Chocolate North America:

Mars Chocolate North America is the North American chocolate operations of Mars, Incorporated. Mars, Incorporated is a private, family-owned company founded in 1911 and employing more than 65,000 associates at over 230 sites, including 135 factories, in 68 countries worldwide. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, U.S.A., Mars, Incorporated is one of the world's largest food companies, generating global revenues of more than $30 billion annually and operating in six business segments: Chocolate, Petcare, Wrigley Gum and Confections, Food, Drinks, and Symbioscience. These segments produce some of the world's leading brands: 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 - KLIX® and FLAVIA®; Symbioscience - WISDOM PANEL(TM) MX, SERAMIS®, and COCOAPRO(TM).

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

* Valued at $225,000

SOURCE Mars Chocolate North America