Mars is giving away 100,000 footballs in a £7m marketing campaign designed to promote grass roots interest in football.
The top-selling chocolate bar is launching the campaign under the Mars Balls Get Britain Playing banner.
It breaks in April and will run for six weeks.
Of the 100,000 Mars-branded footballs, half will be given to retailers to promote via scratch cards and in-store events using tailor made p-o-s including posters, wobblers and tent cards.
10,000 will be given away with an on-pack promotion across Mars singles and duos, Mars Planets, Mars Ice Cream and Mars Drinks.
The balance of 40,000 footballs will be given away through pr activities and partnerships with key press and online.
The promotion will be supported by a dedicated TV campaign, launching on 20 April. It will showcase the Mars-branded footballs being played with across the UK.
Mars is also teaming up with The Sun newspaper and Talksport radio to push the campaign and is investing in national press and outdoor advertising plus a mobile platform.
Former Arsenal footballer Ian Wright will give the campaign extra impetus by featuring a "keepy uppy" leader board on his show, ranking guests who can keep a football in the air for the longest.
"We're bringing back the kick about," said Mars marketer Helen Brown. "We want to unite the nation with this message. It's a call for action and we want people to pick up a ball and get playing."
Mars is also sponsoring the Grass Roots Football Live event at the NEC in May and will be working with the Power League.
Brown said she hoped retailers would encourage people to "get out there in their own communities".
Bep Sandhu, Mars trade relations manager, said this latest football promotion built on the success of Mars' Believe campaign.
"At the time, Mars had the highest ever weekly cash rate of sale," she said.
The brand has also enlisted the support of former England manager Graham Taylor, a keen campaigner for grass roots football.
Speaking at the campaign launch today Taylor said: "I am very happy to be part of the promotion of this particular campaign by Mars.
"I am an ambassador for grass roots football – it's where most of the enjoyment is. If you are a professional footballer you have to win more than you loose otherwise you get fired.
"I can't find anything better to do than promote football from a grass roots level – that's at the heart of the game."
i think the are nice but insted of a mars duo make a mars triple
Anonymous
21 Apr 2008 08:43:07
I think this is a fantastic idea from Mars and it will bring many hours of fun. A MARS ball is a great way to get football enjoyed by all
zeldaboy
23 Apr 2008 12:22:32
ty for giveing footballs away england hopeless for once smeone doing summet nice fors us ty from all the pplz on deadlyscape
MRS SUE BEVIN
24 Apr 2008 08:42:01
HI I THINK THAT THIS IDEA IS THE BEST ONE YET, EVERYONE SHOULD ENJOY THEMSELVES, AND IT WILL BE GOOD EXCERCISE, AND AT LEAST YOU WILL KNOW WHERE YOUR KIDS ARE AND THEY ARE SAFE THATS ALL THANKS,
adam
24 Apr 2008 08:42:43
i think it a great idea givin footballs away 2 kids its better than saving tokens up 4 1 get in there mars
2pac
25 Apr 2008 15:27:39
what is the websiteni have been searching but cant get hold of it
Lynne_mal@hotmail.com
28 Apr 2008 11:03:55
I think its great what mars are doin. There is nothing for our kids to do nowadays and a football would bring bk the good old days! lovein mars bars there beaut nt enough caramel in em lol!
Ian Keefe
30 Apr 2008 12:08:59
Is there any chance of getting a football without purchasing chocolate or travelling around the world on a goose chase ? I only want one ball for my kids, please
mike
30 Apr 2008 12:09:19
its a great idea n all but i have looked everywer n cannot get hold of a mars ball
danny
01 May 2008 16:08:14
hey nice can i have a mars football plz
not just 4 me but 4 my lil brothers cos we all love football and we all want a mars football
evsy
02 May 2008 09:56:44
i think the football idea is gtreat it will get loads of people buying mars products :)
Gav
02 May 2008 09:56:45
I want a mars football - dont think it will ever happen...
akshay
06 May 2008 14:24:20
can i get the ball from booths in uk or not plz tell me
chaz
06 May 2008 14:24:58
i wan't a mars football
plase can i av 1
Ann Newman
06 May 2008 14:25:21
I work with young Dads and am trying to get them more involved in health and sport with their children. I have recently organised 2 fundays in the city of stoke on trent on May 17th and May 24th for Dads and children and would dearly love some of the footballs to give away at these events, what are the chances? I work for Groundwork which is a environmentally friendly charity based organisation which depends on outside funding and donations. Thankyou
Natalie
06 May 2008 14:25:22
i have tried and tried to get a mars ball for my daughter but can not seem to get my hands on one!!! Brilliant idea though mars!!!
oliver scandrett
21 May 2008 12:20:05
wot a great idea! my brother and me are football crazy we eat sleep and breath football and we'd love one!!!
Pete McQ
21 May 2008 12:20:26
Great, A MARS a day helps you WORK,REST & play-football
albert raymond
23 May 2008 15:30:14
i love my mars bars but im not happy just had another mars duo and still no chance of a football promotion is not on wrapper why why not,double the choc and double the fun and no football to run it off
sam
27 May 2008 11:12:10
i think is a great way to get people out of the house
chanty
27 May 2008 11:12:18
what a refreshing and revitalising way to kick start the nation into playing the world's greatest game ever! Although i am not an avid footy follower myself, i'm all for this plan of action if it means a happier healthy nation - and it will definitely do that!!!
Leanne Rowton
30 May 2008 14:08:08
I saw ur advert about ur football giveaway last night,how do I get a ball, well I need 2 actually I have 3 year old twin boys who ADORE football. Please help,its a fantastic idea! well done mars xx
Michael Ricketts
30 May 2008 14:08:10
I Run A Local Boys Football Team And I Am Wondering How I Would Apply For Some Footballs? (Preferbly Size 5)
PHILL
03 Jun 2008 09:23:14
MARS HAVE DONE A REALY GOOD GUSTURE FOLLOWING THE HOME TEAMS NOT COMPETEING IN THIS YEARS FINALS.....WE ARE ALL SAD ABOUT IT, BUT CAN HAVE OUR OWN GAMES NOW
dale richardson
03 Jun 2008 09:23:16
this football giveaway is a great idea it gives people something to do and to kick start the nation and i would like to no how to apply for a football
Damien
09 Jun 2008 10:34:24
lets get fit with mars footballs please let me have one from Damien age 8 football crazy
samantha kinnear
09 Jun 2008 10:37:25
i basically wanted to apply as my little boy loves football and it would be lovely to recieve one and i thin mars have been really considerate on this .
Email this to a friend
Want more stories delivered to your inbox?
