Product news summary 12th May 2015

HEADLINES THIS WEEK:

– ELECTION NEWS: MS BROWN LAUNCHES HER OWN PACK OF M&M’s
– NEW TIC TAC GIVEAWAY PROMOTION
– FIRST-EVER GILLETTE VENUS PORTABLE RAZOR REVEALED
– MONDELEZ INTERNATIONAL UNVEILS ‘FLY CADBURY AIR’ PROMOTION

M&M’S CHARACTER ELECTION CAMPAIGN GOES GLOBAL

Mars Chocolate is offering consumers the chance to win a trip to the US to meet Ms Brown – one of the characters from the M&M’s Character Election campaign.

The M&M’s promotion, which is backed by a 26-week TV campaign, will be displayed across limited-edition packs of Ms Brown M&M’s.

Available in pouches, treatbags and sharing bags from 13 May, the packs contain red, white and blue M&M’s to represent the colours of the US flag.

One holiday will be given away every day from 22 June to 18 July, with winners being able to choose one of three destinations they would like to visit: New York, Orlando or Las Vegas.

Bep Dhaliwal, trade communications manager at Mars Chocolate UK, comments: “Building on the success of our Character Election campaign, we’ve launched limited-edition Ms Brown M&M’s to keep the public excited about the new character. We know that M&M’s limited editions perform well, as last year we saw an uplift in sales of our Brazil M&M’s packs.”

Tel: Mars Chocolate UK (01753) 550055

FERRERO TO REWARD TIC TAC LOYALISTS

Following the success of ‘Find a Fiver’, Tic Tac’s biggest-ever promotion last year, Ferrero has unveiled a new on-pack loyalty scheme, giving shoppers the chance to accumulate reward points with every T1 and T100 Tic Tac pack purchased.

Running until the end of August, the ‘Happy Rewards’ campaign features seven tiers of prizes and enables consumers to ‘cash-in’ whenever they want at www.tictachappy.com.

Shoppers can redeem their happy reward codes immediately on items such as phone wallpapers and ringtones. Alternatively, points can be saved up for higher value rewards, including free Cineworld tickets or a Casio watch.

The integrated campaign, equating to over half a million pounds’ worth of spend, will be supported with targeted digital, social and out-of-home advertising, as well as in-store theatre, to ensure maximum impact with consumers at every touch point.

“Every shopper loves to receive an added perk and we’re confident that the ‘Happy Rewards’ promotion will help retailers to boost their sales,” says Levi Boorer, customer development director at Ferrero. “We know the mechanic works – last year, we launched the Tic Tac ‘Find a Fiver’ campaign, where consumers could win £5 or a £5 off voucher with selected partners, and the activity generated over 54,000 entries and repeat purchases.”

Tel: Ferrero (01923) 690300

NEW LAUNCHES FOR GILLETTE VENUS AND DAZ

Proctor and Gamble (P&G) has announced the release of two innovative Gillette Venus razors for women who lead busy and active lifestyles.

Retailing at around £9.99, Venus Snap with Embrace represents the brand’s first-ever portable razor and features an easy-to-grip mini handle, a portable compact and one Embrace cartridge.

To target users with sensitive skin, Venus has also introduced a new razor that uses Lubastrip technology with ‘3x Glide Enhancers’ to create a thick cushion between the razor and skin. The Venus Embrace Sensitive razor has an rsp of £10.99 and is dermatologically tested and accredited by the Skin Health Alliance.

To encourage trial, Venus is offering consumers a ‘Love it or your money back’ promotion on the two products. Packs of three and six Embrace blades, retailing at about £9.99 and £17.49 respectively, are also available, alongside packs of four Sensitive blades (rsp £10.49) and Satin Care Sensitive Skin shaving gel (rsp £3.49).

Elsewhere, Procter & Gamble has announced the launch of Daz Go Pods, which wash loads of up to 6kg of clothes per cycle.

Available in packs of 12, 16 and 27 washes, the Pods have an rsp of £3.50, £4.50 and £7. respectively.

Daniel Jalalpour, P&G brand manager for fabric care (northern Europe), comments: “The introduction of the new Daz Go Pods is a breakthrough innovation for the brand and will significantly step-change its performance within the liquitabs segment.

“Daz is widely recognised as an important entry-level brand for price-conscious consumers, and the new Daz Go pods will help us attract those budget-savvy shoppers to the more premium segment.”

Tel: Proctor & Gamble (01932) 896000

CADBURY COUNTLINES SET TO FLY OFF THE SHELVES

Cadbury is offering five lucky consumers the chance to be whisked off in a private jet for a European weekend break.

The ‘Fly Cadbury Air’ promotion, which is currently being promoted on packs of Cadbury’s five bestselling countlines, will reward five consumers (and a guest each) with a trip to Berlin, Monaco, Rome, Marrakech or Barcelona.

The winners will be drawn at random on 29 May, 5 June, 12 June, 19 June and 10 July, brand owner Mondelez International has revealed.

The on-pack promotion is backed by £2 million marketing spend, comprising radio, PR, outdoor advertising and digital activity. To encourage impulse purchase and in-store standout, a full suite of PoS is available through the Mondelez sales team.

Tel: Mondelez International (08702) 400861