SKITTLES puts the spotlight on community in
collaboration with GLAAD, supports local LGBTQ+ interest
groups across the U.S.
NEWARK,
N.J., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today,
SKITTLES® is kicking off its annual Pride celebration by
spotlighting the many interests, talents and hobbies within the
LGBTQ+ community. Whether it's a passion for pickleball, or
yearning for yoga, SKITTLES is amplifying the importance of finding
your community – because when you find your community, your colors
shine.
The brand also believes in uplifting the LGBTQ+ community and
supporting those looking to find camaraderie with individuals who
have similar interests. SKITTLES partnered with community-building
platform, Meetup, to create the "SKITTLES LGBTQ+ Directory, powered
by Meetup." The directory consists of a wide range of LGBTQ+
groups, events, resources and more to help future friends across
the country find their community. This simple to navigate
landing page will help like-minded gamers, pickleball players,
yogis, bookworms, birders and much more find their local community
groups and events – all year-round.
SKITTLES has also released its annual limited-edition 2024 Pride
pack, which celebrates the message of community. The pack was
designed in partnership with female & minority-owned production
company, NERD Productions and their talented LGBTQ+ artists, to
illustrate the dynamic individuals and diverse groups that make up
the LGBTQ+ community. For the fifth year in a row, SKITTLES will
donate $1 per every Pride pack sold
(up to $100,000) to GLAAD in support
of its ongoing efforts to work through media to increase visibility
for the LGBTQ+ community. The pack release will be followed by a
year of celebrations of local groups and communities that help fans
"See the Rainbow."
"We know the LGBTQ+ community is one that is comprised of
strong, dynamic individuals with a wide array of interests and
passions," said Gabrielle Wesley,
Chief Marketing Officer, Mars Wrigley North
America. "Our SKITTLES Pride pack and community
celebrations are intended to inspire moments of everyday happiness
by celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in a way that lets all unique
colors shine."
Designed with the colors of SKITTLES' signature rainbow and with
inspiration from inclusive Pride flags, the Pride pack features
symbols of community, friendship, and several micro-LGBTQ+
communities as part of SKITTLES' full year program – including
roller derby, filmmaking and videography, marching bands and
more.
As a show of on-going support for the LGBTQ+ community beyond
June, SKITTLES is sponsoring five local LGBTQ+ communities across
the United States to help shine a
light on their organizations, members and how being a part of the
community has helped them "See The Rainbow." The five colorful
groups include:
- The Queer Big Apple Corps: New York City's premiere
symphonic and marching band that provides adults within the
LGBTQ+ community and allies with a supportive and friendly
environment for musical and artistic expression.
- Reeling Film Festival: The Chicago LGBTQ+
International Film Festival recognizes the important
contributions that LGBTQ+ filmmakers have made to society, shines a
light on the community's struggles, and uplifts the community's
history.
- Urban Bird Collective: Birdwatchers and stewards of
nature, the Minneapolis-based
group creates safe spaces that center BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities
to enjoy the natural environment while building birdwatching
skills.
- Bay Area Derby: An LGBTQ+ friendly Bay Area derby
league whose mission includes providing inclusive amateur athletic
entertainment and competitive roller derby at all levels.
- Las Vegas Gaymers: Las
Vegas' premiere gaming group that focuses on providing a
safe community for queer and LGBTQ+ gamers.
GLAAD and SKITTLES are also coming together for a Pride Month
Donor Matching Campaign, where GLAAD donors can receive a
limited-edition hip pack featuring the signature 2024 SKITTLES
Pride pack design. SKITTLES will match all donations up to
$25,000 - the first 500 donors to
make a matched gift of $75 or more to
the matching campaign will receive the hip pack filled with
SKITTLES and patches to personalize their hip pack.
"2024 is our fifth year partnering with SKITTLES, and we are
thrilled by their unwavering support of the LGBTQ community," said
Raymond Dooley, VP of Marketing at
GLAAD. "Here at GLAAD, we are proud to help the brand create
connections for everyone this Pride, and always."
While the SKITTLES Pride packs will only be on shelf for a
limited time this summer, SKITTLES will continue celebrating the
LGBTQ+ community past Pride month in June. For more information
about SKITTLES Pride initiatives, including the various
partnerships and spotlights of our five community groups, visit
Skittles.com/PRIDE or follow SKITTLES on Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram and TikTok.
ABOUT MARS, INCORPORATED
Mars, Incorporated is driven by the belief that the world we want
tomorrow starts with how we do business today. As a global,
family-owned business, Mars is transforming, innovating, and
evolving to make a positive impact on the world.
Across our diverse and expanding portfolio of quality
confectionery, food, and pet care products and services, we employ
140,000+ dedicated Associates. With more than $47 billion in annual sales, we produce some of
the world's best-loved brands including Ben's Original™,
CESAR®, Cocoavia®, DOVE®,
EXTRA®, KIND®, M&M's®,
SNICKERS®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, and
WHISKAS®. We are creating a better world for pets
through our global network of pet hospitals and diagnostic services
– including AniCura, BANFIELD™, BLUEPEARL™, Linnaeus and VCA™ –
using cutting edge technology to develop breakthrough programs in
genetic health screening and DNA testing. For more information
about Mars, please visit www.mars.com. Join us on Facebook,
Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
ABOUT GLAAD
GLAAD is the world's largest
LGBTQ media advocacy organization working to protect all that
has been accomplished in LGBTQ representation in
media, while leading the charge to create a world where everyone
can live the life they love. GLAAD tackles tough
issues and provokes dialogue that leads to cultural change through
increased media accountability, corporate engagement initiatives,
and advocacy programs that help to ensure 100% inclusion and
acceptance of the LGBTQ community.
ABOUT MEETUP
Meetup is an online event platform
with the mission of fostering authentic human connection through
shared experiences. Since 2002, Meetup has facilitated the creation
and discovery of high-quality events and engaged local communities.
Today, Meetup is home to 60 million members and 330,000 groups
spanning 10,000 cities in 193 countries worldwide. Learn more
at https://www.meetup.com/.
Media Contacts
Mars Wrigley
Erin DeAngelo
Erin.DeAngelo@effem.com
Weber Shandwick
Austen Hohendorf
Ahohendorf@webershandwick.com
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SOURCE Mars, Incorporated