snackfood us 800 HIGH STREET HACKETTSTOWN, NJ 07840 T+1 908 852 1000 F+1 908 850 2624 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Ryan Bowling Jaymie Gustafson Kristin Conte Mars Snackfood U.S. Weber Shandwick NBA (908) 850-2396 – office (312) 988-2169 – office (212) 407-8534 – office [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

MY M&M’S® TEAMS UP WITH THE NBA TO HELP FANS CHEER ON THEIR FAVORITE TEAM New MY TEAM® M&M’S® NBA Blends Guaranteed to Be a Slam Dunk

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (April 21, 2009) --- Mars Direct Inc., a division of Mars Snackfood US, announced today a new licensing relationship with the National Basketball Association to create MY TEAM® M&M’S® Brand Chocolate Candies. MY TEAM® M&M’S® NBA Blends feature customized team logos and colors for all 30 NBA teams. The new NBA Blends can be purchased online at mymms.com/nba, as well as at the NBA Store in , giving Hoop fans from coast-to-coast a fun and delicious way to support their favorite team.

“As the NBA Playoffs tip off, fans are looking for new, fun ways to show their team spirit,” said Mars Direct Vice President and General Manager Jim Cass. “From the Lakers to the Celtics, and everywhere in between, MY TEAM® M&M’S® NBA Blends is the perfect treat for parties or gifting a superfan.”

“The NBA has some of the most passionate fans in the world and NBA branded M&M’S® is another way for our fans to show support for their favorite team.” said NBA Global Merchandising Group Senior Vice President Vicky Picca.

New MY TEAM® M&M'S NBA Blends® 2-2-2-2

Ordering MY TEAM® M&M’S® NBA Blends MY TEAM® M&M’S® NBA Blends can be ordered online by visiting www.mymms.com/nba or by calling (888) 696-6788. They are available in special NBA-themed, 7-ounce bags (minimum order: 3 bags) for $12.99 per bag and in 5-pound bags priced at $140. Or give your favorite basketball fan a MY M&M’S® Classic Candy Dispenser featuring their favorite team’s logo and three 7-ounce bags of their favorite team’s blend, for $59.99.

About MY M&M’S®: MY M&M’S® is the personalized brand extension of M&M’S® Chocolate Candies, which is owned by Mars, Incorporated, one of the world’s leading food manufacturers. The personalized printing option officially launched in 2005, and MY M&M’S® Faces launched in summer of 2008. MY M&M’S® are available in 25 different colors. Twenty colors can be customized with Faces and personal messages in a variety of fonts. MY M&M’S® can be ordered online at www.mymms.com or by calling 888-696-6788. Favors are also available. Baseball and football fans can also support their favorite teams with MY TEAM® M&M’S® MLB and NFL Blends.

MY M&M’S® Affiliate Program offers a 10 percent commission on the sale of personalized MY M&M'S® Chocolate Candies to qualified publishers who place banners and text links on their Web sites. Sign up today at http://www.mymms.com/affiliate/.

About Mars Snackfood US: Mars Snackfood US is the snack operations of Mars North America. With more than $7 billion in annual sales in the U.S., Mars North America includes food, snack and pet care segments, which are a symbol of excellence for quality brands. Headquartered in Mount Olive, New Jersey, Mars North America employs more than 15,000 associates in the United States, with 72 facilities nationwide. Mars Snackfood US includes some of the world’s favorite brands such as, M&M’S® Brand, SNICKERS® Brand, DOVE® Chocolate Brand, MILKY WAY® Brand, 3 MUSKETEERS® Brand and TWIX® Brand. Additional popular brands in the petcare and food segments for Mars North America include UNCLE BEN’S® Brand, PEDIGREE® Brand Food for Dogs, and WHISKAS® Brand Food for Cats. Please visit mars.com.

About the NBA The NBA reaches fans and consumers worldwide through the licensing and marketing of consumer products bearing the league’s trademarks and player attributes. 170 licensees manufacture, sell and market NBA-branded products that are promoted worldwide and sold in more than 100,000 locations, in 100 countries on six continents. Major categories include video games, apparel, footwear, sporting goods and trading cards. Thirty percent of merchandise sales are generated from outside the United States. More than one million fans visit the NBA Store in New York City each year. In addition to offering the most comprehensive assortment of NBA, WNBA and D-League merchandise, the NBA Store features multimedia attractions, a fully operational broadcast booth and an official half-court used for special events and regularly scheduled appearances by players, legends and celebrities. NBAStore.com is the online destination for NBA fans around the world looking for exclusive team merchandise, memorabilia and unique gifts of every NBA, WNBA and NBA D-League team. NBAStore.com is visited by over 10 million people each year.

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