M&Ms Scream for Dark Chocolate

If you haven't tried the new M&Ms dark chocolates they are a must. Very yummy. And the packaging is a 'stand out' purple with bright colors all over the wrapper. Nicely done.

So nicely done that I went to their website the other day while eating a package. I found that they launched a promotion (The Unveiling) at the end of August where they offered 2 million M&Ms dark chocolate candies for the return of Edvard Munch's "The Scream" painting which was stolen on August 22, 2004.

Interestingly, the painting was recovered less than two weeks after the promotion started. I wondered what the company would do now. Turns out, they are pretty wise (someone who makes this type of product can only be smart, right???) and announced that they will honor their promotion.

"We chose to feature The Scream in the campaign because it is one of the world's most recognizable dark paintings," said Anibal Martini, M&M'S® Brand Marketing Director. "We're obviously delighted that the painting has been recovered and we're absolutely going to honor our offer of the reward."

Details are still being worked out, but it looks like a police station might be getting 40,000 bags of the dark treats. Yum!

However, I have to wonder if the company is slightly disappointed that, after two years, the painting was recovered so quickly after their promotional announcement. After all, it was just the start of the promotion and I wonder what additions there would have been to it as time went on. Ad campaigns? Upping the stakes (adding in more candies) etc. I'm sure it will all work out for the best - after all, there are some folks in Oslo, Norway that are going to be getting a lot of great candy for their efforts. Maybe they will share with the children in the area. That would be nice for everyone involved.

Just a sweet tidbit for today. Thanks for stopping by.