Mars Inc - food industry company news 
UK: Ex-Heineken exec named Sainsbury's marketing chief
23 January 2012
Sainsbury's has named former Heineken executive Sarah Warby as its new marketing director.
US: Mars releases Dove chocolate raisins
18 January 2012
Confectionery giant Mars Inc will launch a bite-sized chocolate-covered raisins and peanuts SKU under its Dove brand in the US.
UK: Joan Collins new face of Mars' Snickers brand
10 January 2012
Hollywood legend Joan Collins is replacing Mr T as the face of Mars Inc's Snickers in the UK.
2011 in review - Sustainability
22 December 2011
The year began with predictions that sustainability would continue to rise up the corporate agenda this year, and so it has proved.
US: M&M to air Super Bowl ad
20 December 2011
Mars Inc has decided to bring back Super Bowl advertising for its M&M's brand.
FRANCE: Demand for chocolate sees Mars up capacity
14 December 2011
Mars Inc is to invest EUR40m to extend capacity at a plant in France, amid very strong growth in the chocolate candy market in Europe.
UK: Mars unit Wrigley launches 2012 gum plans
13 December 2011
Mars Inc's chewing gum unit Wrigley is planning a series of product launches in the UK next year.
On the money: Hershey could hit overseas goal early
28 October 2011
US confectioner Hershey has said it could reach its target of generating US$1bn of sales outside its domestic market earlier than planned.
US: Kraft, Mars downsize gum packs in value push
26 October 2011
US food giant Kraft Foods and Mars Inc are selling smaller packs of chewing gum in a bid to appeal to cash-strapped consumers.
GLOBAL: Mars launches Wrigley in travel retail
25 October 2011
Mars Inc has launched gum brand Wrigley into the travel retail channel.
US: Mars Chocolate introduces products
11 October 2011
Mars Inc has added 15 products to its confectionery range on sale in North America.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
3 October 2011
Away from the World Retail Congress, Mars Inc made its first move into Fairtrade, spice maker McCormick & Co. said it would increase prices to offset commodity costs and the sale of ailing Irish retailer Superquinn was cleared. Click on the links for more.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
3 October 2011
The annual World Retail Congress dominated the headlines on just-food this week as we reported from the event in Berlin. Elsewhere, Swiss baker Aryzta snapped up UK naan and tortilla maker Honeytop Speciality Foods, Mars made its first move into Fairtrade and Nestle named a Wal-Mart Stores executive as its new CFO.
Sustainability Watch – Mercedes Tallo, Rainforest Alliance
30 September 2011
The news that Maltesers is to become a Fairtrade brand underlines both the continued growth in the ethical market and how this increasing consumer appeal has not been lost on marketers. Speaking with Ben Cooper, Mercedes Tallo of the Rainforest Alliance discusses the importance of partnering with big brands and argues that the huge growth in ethical certification reflects tangible improvements in supply chains rather than a desire on the part of brands to look good.
UK/IRELAND: Mars makes foray into Fairtrade with Maltesers
27 September 2011
Mars Inc is to sell its first Fairtrade product after deciding to move its Maltesers brand to the ethical certification.
UK: Wrigley names Thomson UK general manager
12 September 2011
Wrigley, the sugar confectionery unit of Mars Inc, has appointed Hamish Thomson as general manager of its UK division.
UK: Mars Inc launches price-marked packs
6 September 2011
Mars Inc has announced the launch of price-marked packs in the UK in a bid to communicate value and attract "savvier" shoppers.
UK: Mars to launch limited-edition chocolate bar
24 August 2011
Mars Inc is set to launch a limited-edition extension to its Mars bar range in the UK.
UK: Lorman to lead Mars ice cream arm
15 August 2011
Mars Inc has named Tony Lorman as general manager of its ice cream business in the UK.
UK: Mastercard's Horgan named Sainsbury's marketing director
11 August 2011
Sainsbury's has hired Mastercard executive Mark Horgan as its marketing director.
INDONESIA: Nestle, Petra Foods to join forces on sustainable cocoa
27 July 2011
Nestle and Singapore-listed cocoa ingredients maker Petra Foods have agreed to work together on improving cocoa production in Indonesia.
Focus: US food makers look to take control on kids marketing
21 July 2011
US food manufacturers have launched uniformed, voluntary guidelines for food and drink products marketed to children in a response to mooted government voluntary standards. Ben Cooper examines whether the industry move can forestall government action.
Best bits: Nestle, Lactalis secure prized deals
11 July 2011
In the last 72 hours, Nestle and Lactalis have struck significant pieces of M&A, writes Dean Best.
US: Mars to build chocolate plant in US
29 June 2011
Mars Inc has outlined plans to build a chocolate manufacturing facility in the US, a plant the confectioner claimed would be its first such site in the country for 35 years.
CANADA: McCain COO Van de Put promoted to top job
3 June 2011
Chip maker McCain Foods has promoted COO Dirk Van de Put to president and CEO of the company.
AUS: Mars launches Rainforest Alliance tie-up
31 May 2011
Mars Inc has announced that it will source enough Rainforest Alliance certified cocoa to cover the production of its flagship Mars bar brand for the Australian market.
UK: Mars appoints Magee to UK chocolate marketing role
28 April 2011
Mars Inc has appointed global brand director Michael Magee to the role of vice president of marketing for its UK chocolate business.
UK: Mars launches powdered milkshake
20 April 2011
Mars Inc is to compete head on with Nestle's Nesquik in the UK with the launch of a powdered milkshake.
ITALY: Ferrero joint CEO dies in South Africa
18 April 2011
Pietro Ferrero, the joint chief executive at Italian confectionery giant Ferrero, has died in South Africa, the company has confirmed.
AUS: Manufacturers and retailers to reduce fat and salt
8 April 2011
A number of Australian grocery retailers and manufacturers have agreed to reduced the amount of salt and saturated fat in their products as part of a partnership with the country's government.
Related research
Mars inc in Packaged Food (World)
Mars inc is the number one confectionery player in the US market and its M&M’s brand is synonymous with the category. The company has been noticeably absent from M&A activity since the Wrigley acquisition in 2008. It has focused instead on building internal manufacturing capacity both in the US and in the emerging markets. Mars remains weak in some regions noticeably Latin America and remains heavily reliant on North America and Western Europe.
Mars Inc in Packaged Food - World
Core market recession and Kraft Foods’s acquisition of Cadbury have both impacted strongly on Mars. But it is finally waking up to its shortcomings in the emerging world and continues to fight for room on the better for you bandwagon.
Confectionery - Global Group of Eight (G8) Industry Guide
Datamonitor's Confectionery - Global Group of Eight (G8) Industry Guide is an essential resource for top-level data and analysis covering the Confectionery industry in each of the G8 (United States, Canada, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Russia and Japan) countries. The report includes easily comparable data on market value, volume, segmentation and market share, plus full five year market forecasts. It examines future problems, innovations and potential growth areas within the market.
