MCLEAN, Va.--14 May--PRNewswire-AsiaNet/InfoQuest Mars Incorporated announced plans today to unify its regional corporate brands under the single corporate brand name, Mars. By the end of 2007, with a few exceptions, all of the company's units operating in more than 65 countrieswill be referred to as Mars. "A single corporate brand name will consolidate and leverage the credibility and goodwill that Mars has earned world-wide through its famous product brands," said Mars Global President Paul S. Michaels. "By introducing a unified corporate brand name, Mars, we will reduce complexity, provide one point of reference and build greater awareness for our business." The company is currently known as Masterfoods in most markets. About Mars Incorporated Mars Incorporated is a privately-held company that produces some of the world's leading confectionery, food and petcare products and has growing beverage and health & nutrition businesses. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Mars Incorporated operates in more than 65 countries and employs more than 40,000 associates worldwide. The company's global sales areapproximately $21 billion annually. Founded in 1911, the company manufactures and markets a variety of products under many of the world's most recognizable trademarks, including MILKY WAY(R), M&M'S(R), SNICKERS(R), MARS(R), UNCLE BEN'S(R) Rice, and PEDIGREE(R) and WHISKAS(R) petcare products. SOURCE: Mars Incorporated CONTACT: North America: Alice Nathanson +1-323-586-4939 Mobile: +1-323-286-8357 [email protected] or Europe: Klaske de Jong +32 (0) 2 712 7216 Mobile: +32 (0) 499 5859 14 [email protected] or Latin America: Philippe Bellande +1-787-620-1263 Mobile: +1-787-604-6222 [email protected] or Asia Pacific: Simon Bromell +03 8862 5200, Mobile: +0419 508707 [email protected] or Africa, India, Middle East: Christine Greaves +971 4 8081 652 Mobile: +971 5 05536129 [email protected] all of Mars Incorporated Web site: http://www.cnc-communications.com --Distributed by AsiaNet ( www.asianetnews.net )--