News
Reflections on working at Mars from our 4000th member
I spent 10 life-changing years working for Mars IS, based in South Africa. I joined straight from university, started off on the helpdesk, did applications...
Changes in senior roles in Mclean
Mars has announced that Olivier Goudet will be leaving his role as Executive Vice President and CFO to become a partner, shareholder and CEO of an investment...
Brian Chambers appointed to Commercial VP, Drinks Segment
Brian joined Wrigley in 2002 from Kraft/Nabisco as a Purchasing Manager in the Americas Regional Supply Chain group and was promoted into the Worldwide...
A “Wallop” of WOHP
Targeting dentists, hygienists and their patients in 47 countries with information about the oral care benefits of chewing sugar-free gum, the WOHP is a key...
School children in North America “count their blessings”
Data shows that one out of every six children in the U.S. is at risk of hunger, making it very difficult for them to learn and develop. Hungry children are...
Seeds of Change® organic seeds to be sold in Walmart in the U.S.A.
“We firmly believe the world will be a better place with more organic gardeners,” said Will Righeimer, Global General Manager, Seeds of...
Mars Information Systems Retirees (US) Christmas Gathering
Steve Fraebel writes: About 20 retirees attended the Gathering in Mount Olive on December 20, 2011, and several more dialed in for the live conference call....
Martians Reunited in Moscow
Antonio Gutierres writes:The only thing missing was the paparazzi and the red carpet! What was this stellar event? Celebrating the 20th Anniversary...
Alper Yuksel joins Mars as Turkey General Manager
Alper Yuksel joined on November 25th as the new General Manager for Turkey. Alper is Turkish and has a BA in Industrial Engineering and an MBA and is...
Roula Kamhawi to retire from Mars
No-one has embodied the Mars Chocolate vision and the Five Principles more than Roula Kamhawi and the business is sad to announce her plan to retire from...
MTD Global Winners 2011
Members of the Mars Family and leaders from across the business honoured Make The Difference Global Finalists and Winners at the Steven F. Udvar Hazy Air and...
Trinidad Farmers try chocolate made from their own cocoa beans
Farmers in Trinidad and Tobago have been growing cocoa beans for many generations. In July 2011, 58 farmers tried the taste of chocolate made from their own...
Belgian GM spearheads Horn of Africa relief project
According to recent news reports, the UN says tens of thousands of people have died after what is said to be East Africa's worst drought for 60 years and as...
Mark Johnson to be President Mars Petcare Russia
Mark Johnson has been appointed Regional President, Mars Petcare Russia reporting to Pierre Laubies, Global President of Mars Petcare. In this role Mark will...
New senior appointments in Wrigley
Hamish Thomson to be General Manager, Wrigley UK & Ireland In recognition of the unprecedented period of growth, innovation and heightened engagement that...
Mars.com relaunch
Mars has recently updated its global corporate website, Mars.com. While it covers broadly the same areas as before, the new site is much more informative and...
Mars and Fairtrade International announce collaboration
Mars Chocolate and Fairtrade International recently announced a new agreement to work together to help farmers build sustainable livelihoods and substantially...
Blessings in a Backpack
Through the Blessings in a Backpack program, Mars Food North America is helping to provide backpacks full of food to more than 4,000 elementary school children...
Waltham research featured in prestigious journal
In a special supplement, the British Journal of Nutrition (BJN) has published a series of research papers first presented at the Waltham International...
Would you live like a cat?
Judging by the reaction to Whiskas’ latest and highly engaging UK campaign, called A Cat Would, the answer seems to be a resounding ‘yes’! ...
Ghana's Champion Cocoa Farmer visits M&M’S World London
Samuel Awuni is Ghana's 2011 Champion, recognised as the country’s best cocoa farmer in terms of quality and quantity. His grand prize included a two...
All in the Family!
In 1970, young Hans Verhoeven landed a job at the local Mars chocolate factory in Veghel. A few years later, brothers Peter and Henry followed suit. Soon,...
Taking the Lead in the Use of Hybrid Technology
To date, Mercedes-Benz has delivered only 50 hybrid trucks in Europe and three of these environmentally-friendly vehicles are now on the road for Mars in the...
Nutro Donates $1 Million to the SDF
When disaster strikes, the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF) responds by providing professionally trained dogs to help firefighters and other first...
Mars Chocolate to distribute 9 million Random Acts of Chocolate
Mars Chocolate North America recently coordinated 50,000 Mars Random Acts of Chocolate by delivering free samples to New Yorkers in Manhattan via bike...
Chewing gum helps people to lose weight.
A recent research study has shown that chewing gum is not only good for your teeth (some of it, anyway) but also reduces cravings for snacks between meals. The...
Cocoa reduces the risk of heart attack
Chocolate, on the other hand, can reduce the risk of heart attack by a third. And, if you've got the habit of snacking under control (see the news item about...
Wrigley Chattanooga Factory goes solar
Earlier this year the Chattanooga Factory became the first Wrigley manufacturing plant in North America to go live with a solar-powered electric system,...
Wrigley’s to leave the Building
The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company announced last week that it will be relocating its global headquarters from the Wrigley Building in Chicago to the company’s...
M&M’S commemorates 30-year relationship with NASA
M&M’S® marked the final mission of Space Shuttle Atlantis in July by providing personalized M&M’S for the crew and for NASA personnel...
Bountyful coconut harvests? Calling all creative engineers
A labour shortage in the state of Kerala in southern India has meant that while they have the best coconut trees, the crop is declining because it is difficult...
Ian Burton to be Europe Regional President, Wrigley
Last month we posted a notice about Poul Weihrauch’s appointment to the role of Global President of Food.He has been succeeded as Wrigley’s Europe...
Europe’s first M&M’S World store opens in London
The world’s biggest chocolate brand, M&M’S, opened its London store in Leicester Square this month. This is the first M&M’s store in...
Mars/BBDO Sweep Cannes Creativity Awards
Mars brands are no strangers to recognition and praise for their advertising, but with their recent sweep of the world’s biggest, best-known celebration...
Mars in Europe 3rd amongst multinational workplaces
Mars in Europe came third in the Best Multinational Workplaces in Europe at the Great Places to Work Institute’s annual gala event on May 26. Ranked...
Duke Petrovich retires
Dushan "Duke" Petrovich retired yesterday (30th June 2011) as President of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company. Duke was with Wrigley for more than 30 years. A native...
Martin Radvan succeeds Duke Petrovic at Wrigley
Martin Radvan has been appointed President of Wrigley following the retirement of Duke Petrovich from the business. Martin is a 25-year Mars associate with...
Andrew Clarke President, Drinks
Following the recent announcement that Martin Radvan will take on the role as Wrigley’s President in July of this year, Andrew Clarke, currently General...
Poul Weihrauch to be President, Food
Following the recent announcement that Brian Camastral will be leaving Mars, Poul Weihrauch has been named Global President, Mars Food and will join the Mars...
Advertising agency partners
Mars, Incorporated has announced a plan to consolidate its agency partners in support of its global brand strategy. Under the plan, Mars will concentrate...
First new US Chocolate site in 35 years
This week Mars Chocolate North America announced plans to build a new state-of-the art manufacturing facility in Topeka, Kansas. The announcement was made in...
Mars hosts key panel discussion on collaboration in science
Partnerships between the academic community, government and industry are crucial for transferring innovative science from laboratory to everyday life, Mars,...
Mars' growing business in horsecare
Jeremy Brereton, Managing Director of Mars Horsecare UK writes: "Here is something you may not know – Mars is in the Horsecare Business"Consumers the...
Pastmasters golf 2011
Golfers from many of Britain's finest courses assembled at Studley Wood on 2 June to compete for the coveted Pastmasters Green Jacket and other desirable...
Dave Hammond retires
With four decades of service and a Make the Difference Lifetime Achievement Award under his belt, Mars University Manager Dave Hammond has quite a career to...
Mars help tornado victims in the U.S.
It took only a matter of seconds to turn thousands of lives upside down when a series of damaging tornadoes struck the South and Mid-Atlantic regions of the...
M&M’S characters pursue solo careers
The M&M’S® Brand is saddened to announce today that America’s most beloved spokescandies are separating. Just like many other iconic groups...
First ever fundraising event
112 associates from across the US take part in the Nashville Country Music marathon and half-marathon to help the not-for-profit organization Some ran. Others...
Seeds of Change Launches “Sowing Millions" Project
Last month, Seeds of Change® Seed, Food, and Chocolate partnered with US Celebrity Chef Rick Bayless and the New York Restoration Project to launch the...
Costing the earth - Cocoa Loco
Chocolate is the unlikely substance at the heart of commodity wars and cocoa has been reported to be more valuable than gold. However, over-farming has...
Picking up the Pieces
On Wednesday this week - 27th April - the Wrigley Company Foundation, in cooperation with the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), has launched an...
Mars wins 2011 Gallup Great Workplace award - again.
Joining the scores of Mars businesses around the globe who have been recognized as great places to work, Mars, Incorporated was recently awarded the 2011...
Rob Hughes marathon cycle ride
After 32 years, Rob Hughes, GM for Mars Food UK, is moving on from the business to put the Principles into action in his personal life--starting with a...
Penguins and Doves
More and more facts are emerging about the extraordinary life of the penguin.It had been thought that penguins lost the ability to fly some 50 million years...
Wrigley's Longest-Serving Associate
With 43 years on the clock, Janet Fisher is the longest-serving Wrigley associate in the world.Every morning, she drives 45 minutes from her home in Wheaton,...
First Marine Stewardship Council Certified Petfood
Mars Petcare has introduced Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) endorsed pet food products in UK stores. Selected packs from Mars Petcare’s Sheba and...
Supporting Rescue Efforts in Japan
While the world is watching events unfold in Japan after the recent earthquake and tsunami, Mars is supporting efforts on the ground through its partnership...
Mars Veterinary™ - Beyond Pedigrees
For centuries, dedicated breeders have worked to improve the temperament, conformation, and health of their purebred dogs. In doing so, the breeding community...
Rainforest Alliance Certified Mars Bars
Mars Australia recently announced that from June 2100 its products will carry Rainforest Alliance logos, in support of sustainable farming practices. From that...
Mars France Paris Reunion
This April 2nd, the Mars France reunion is a weekend in Paris rather than just an evening, to allow people from further afield to attend, and to bring their...
Wrigley Foundation Partnership with Save the Children
The Wrigley Foundation recently launched a two-year, $3 million (USD) school health partnership with Save the Children - the leading independent organisation...
Global Rice Expert joins Mars Food
David Mackill, one of the world’s leading experts in the area of rice plant breeding, genetics and biotechnology has joined Mars Food to take up the scientific...
Launch of Let’s Meet Up
Colin Shearn writes:"I read with interest about the Will Calvert et al brewery in Windsor… my peer group and neighbours until a few years ago.I too...
Wrigley Ambassadors Lead the World to Better Oral Health
Fred Harris, Wrigley Customer Support Analytics Manager, has been involved in volunteer work for much of his life, from serving shelter meals to conducting CPR...
Celebrating the Power of Pets
Last month, Mars Petcare launched its fourth Power of Pets program, celebrating the health benefits of pet ownership and educating people on how to incorporate...
UK Pastmasters Golf 2 June 2010
Phil Moody writes: After three excellent years in charge Tony Graham has managed to divest himself of his responsibilities as organiser of our annual golfing...
Mars IS retirees meet at Mount Olive
Steve Fraebel, President of Mars IS Retirees in the USA, writes: "About 16 Mars IS retirees attended the Holiday Gathering at the Mount Olive office on...
Mars responds to Hershey with Pure Dark
23rd December 2010 saw the launch of a pop-up store in San Francisco promoting Pure Dark 'artisanal' chocolates - rough-edged 70% cocoa slabs and pieces of...
Kieran Balfe to be CFO of Russian X5 Retail Group
Kieran Balfe is to join Russian retailer X5 Retail Group next week. Kieran has around 20 years' experience in the Russian market and was Wrigley's Deputy...
Annual Pedigree & Whiskas Dubai Pet Show
The annual Pedigree & Whiskas Pet Show is returning to Dubai for a full day of entertainment on 4th February 2011. There will be over 600 dogs on show,...
Launch of New Shake 'n' Snack Range
Mars has launched a new snack range in the UK, called Shake ‘n’ Snack.The range is a milkshake and a chocolate snack all in one, launching with...
Genomes of cocoa and wild strawberries
Scientists have cracked the genetic code of wild strawberries and are now 76% of the way towards the full genome of the Criollo variety of Theobroma cacao, it...
Our 1000th Current Associate Member – Verena Krummenacher
We are proud to announce our 1000th current associate member. Verena started with Mars, Switzerland in 1988 as a sales assistant and, after working from...
Breaking ground on a green future in China
Putting a green foot forward into the future, Mars China associates recently broke ground on a new, environmentally-friendly China headquarters at the Huairou...
Associates stand together to give something back
From Thailand to Mexico, the United States to Lithuania, Mars associates all over the world spent the month of October putting the Five Principles into...
Wrigley launch of mobile apps
Wrigley North America has launched four mobile apps as part of its digital marketing strategy. “The key to building relationships with our consumers is...
M&M’S® unveils 2010 “Most Colorful Fan® of NASCAR®” winner
Phoenix residents, Joseph Haus and family, pull into the M&M’S® victory lane with their racing-themed garage, which will be featured in the...
An operator from Canada digs a garden for charity in the UK
Mariana Bosnjak, an Operator at the Bolton factory, recently returned from four weeks in the UK where she really got her hands dirty working with Garden...
3256 members of Martians Reunited
We launched the website just before Christmas 2008 and membership has grown to 3256 of which 2245 are former associates and 1011 are current associates. There...
Wrigley Oral Care Summit
The business goal is simple: We want consumers to chew more gum. How we get there is considerably more complex. But one thing is certain: Giving consumers a...
Mint Sustainability in Action
Increased recycled waste to 61%. Eliminated 2,300 tonnes of packaging material. Partnered with industry leaders to improve our understanding of...
Androids on the March
Nick Cumiskey writes: It is amazing that I left Mars nearly 7 months ago. Now seems like a good time to send out a note to let you all...
A Day in the life of Bomba: DOVE® CSR efforts
Bomba lives in a cocoa farming community in Côte d’Ivoire, with five children whom she struggles to keep in school while still turning a profit...
Jon Shepherd to retire after more than 40 years
Jon Shepherd, Chief Learning Officer of Mars, Incorporated, will retire at the end of December 2010 after 41 years of dedicated service. Jon joined Mars in...
Stuart Bull: ‘The Man from Mars’ bids an emotional farewell in Cannes
Stuart Bull, one of the most influential and respected executives in travel retail, bid an emotional farewell to Mars – the company he has represented...
John Toskovich retiring at the end of October
Long-time Mars associate, John Toskovich, Financial Controller in S&F, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Board of Directors' meeting...
Manila Cool
Home to a reported 768,000 food outlets, the Philippines would seem to be an easy place to get Mars products on the shelves. Right?Wrong. The raw numbers...
Health Benefits of Pet Ownership
Mars Petcare announced recently the US launch of The Power of Pets™, an initiative that brings scientific research to life on the ways pets and their...
UK Pastmasters Dinner 2010
The Pastmasters Dinner 2010 will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Marlow on Thursday, December 2nd at 18.30. Everyone is welcome – coming on your...
M&M’S World® soon to be a London landmark
As the world’s most popular confectionery brand, M&M’S® appeal to virtually everyone and the new store will build on the great success of...
Breakthrough Cacao Genome
Mars, Incorporated, the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), and IBM released the preliminary findings of their...
Brainwave on the Costa Brava
When she is on vacation, Catrin Casteel, from Customer Services in Viersen, does all those things we might expect, enjoying the sun, the sea, the food and...
MarsXchange - 2011 Events
January 19th - an evening with Frank Riboud at the Fauchon Cafe, 30 Place De La Madeleine, Paris. Programme:4.30 pm : Visit the Opera Garnier and the area of...
Mars Refuel milkshake launches winter sports fund
Sales of MARS Refuel chocolate milkshake are set to soar this winter as the phenomenally successful MARS Refuel Drink Fund reopens for a month, offering clubs...
Launch of Twix Fino
New Twix Fino has been launched, offering the first permanent extension of the brand in Twix’s 40-year history and with 48 fewer calories.The Twix Fino...
The longest chewing gum wrapper chain in the world
Forty-five years ago, when American Gary Duschl was still in high school, he started making a chain out of Wrigley gum wrappers. Now, recently retired in...
Mars Corporate Gardens Nurture Sustainability
Green beans, tomatoes and strawberries are just a few of the organic fruits and vegetables now growing in corporate gardens outside the Mars offices in Rancho...
Rice Seed Donation for Ducks in Arkansas & Mississippi
It’s not just anyone who could find a home for thousands of pounds of rice seed that no longer met current specifications. Fortunately for tens of...
Ms. Green is America’s favourite M&Ms character
Recently Mars Chocolate North America announced that Ms. Green is officially America’s favorite M&Ms character. Ms. Green beat her fellow characters...
Mars Drinks North America Bike Ride Challenge
Five Mars Drinks North America associates. On July 12th, the MDNA MVP bike team took to the streets in the 23rd Annual Irish Pub Tour de Shore, in honor of...
This section gives you the opportunity to keep other members up to date on all the news, both business and social. There are regular bulletins from Mars and these will be posted here as well.
If you have any news which you believe would be of interest to members, please email it to Editor@martiansreunited.com. We will review contributions and post them on the site as quickly as possible.
If you have any personal news please add it to your Member Profile, and if you have thoughts, ideas or questions to which you would like a response, please post them on the Discussion Forum.