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M&M'S Introduces Peanut-Shaped 'M-Ball' [Travel & Leisure Close - Up](Travel & Leisure Close - Up Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Mars Chocolate North America on April 16 announced that M-Ball - a brightly colored soccer ball shaped like M&M'S Peanut Chocolate Candies - is arriving in the U.S. According to a release, M-Ball, already available in Europe, can be dribbled, passed, kicked and tossed - but the unmistakable M&M'S Peanut shape adds an extra level of unpredictability to every bounce of the ball. "The arrival of M-Ball continues the momentum of our 'Year of Peanut' campaign and puts a peanutty spin on one of the world's favorite sports," said Seth Klugherz, Senior Director, M&M'S Brand Chocolate Candies. "The special qualities of M-Ball make it one of a kind, which is a great reflection of our brand since only 1 in 100 peanuts is lucky enough to be an M&M'S Peanut." The company noted that M&M'S is offering fans two different ways to get their hands on an M-Ball. They include: -In-Store: Retailers across the country will feature "Win an M- Ball" displays with instant-win snap-tags. Fans can use their smartphone to scan the snap-tag for a chance to win an M-Ball. -Online: For additional chances to win, fans can also visit the M&M'S USA Facebook page to enter the M&M'S Brand M-Ball Instant Win Game. Further, M&M'S enlisted professional soccer players from the LA Galaxy and the Philadelphia Union to try their hands - or feet - at performing traditional soccer skills with the uniquely shaped M- Ball. The result is a series of online videos, which can be viewed on the brand's Facebook page. M-Ball is the latest effort in the brand's "Year of Peanut" integrated marketing campaign, a yearlong effort to showcase the irresistibility of M&M'S Peanut. The brand kicked off the year with a star-studded event on New Year's Eve in Atlanta - the unofficial peanut capital of the nation - and launched a humorous online video series called the "Search for the One," which starred actor and comedian David Koechner as an eccentric explorer searching for the "perfect peanut." The "Year of Peanut" campaign also featured a fully integrated push behind the Super Bowl XLVIII spot that included a humorous trailer and social media campaign fueled by Yellow and his fellow M&M'S spokescandies. Mars, Inc. is a confectionery company. More information: www.mars.com ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |