It's Official -- Mario Lopez Tastes As Good As He Looks!

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., Aug. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Ever since Mario Lopez's signature dimples and washboard abs first graced television sets, millions of women have described his legendary physique as "scrumptious," "irresistible" and even "drool-inducing." Now, thanks to a life-size bust of the hunky actor and TV host, cast in new DOVE^® Silky Smooth Mint & Dark Chocolate Swirl, it can finally be confirmed that Mario Lopez "tastes as good as he looks."

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130801/AQ56705)

Today, Mars Chocolate North America announced a cool, refreshing addition to the DOVE^® Dark Chocolate family with new DOVE^® Mint & Dark Chocolate Swirl.  The new DOVE^® Dark Chocolate flavor is infused with deliciously smooth mint, creating a swirled design that looks and tastes amazing.

To help introduce this tasty new treat, DOVE^® turned to the equally tasty Hollywood hunk, who is known as well for his deliciously defined muscles as he is for his refreshing demeanor as a television host. At an event in Los Angeles, people sampled bites of the "mint chocolate swirled Mario" bust to determine if the new creamy, mint-swirl-infused chocolate does taste as good as it looks.

"As the number one solid dark chocolate on the market, we continue to find new and innovative ways to expand our DOVE^® Dark chocolate portfolio," said Roy Benin, Chief Consumer Officer, Mars Chocolate North America. "The combination of mint and dark chocolate tastes great together, and the way in which we've uniquely combined these flavors truly does make this product 'Taste as Good as it Looks'."

In fact, a recent study confirmed that three out of four¹ chocolate consumers enjoy the taste combination of mint and chocolate. The launch of this new product will offer those chocolate lovers the delightful minty satisfaction they seek, while continuing to provide the same creamy DOVE^® taste consumers know and love.

While not every consumer will be able to take a bite out of Mario, the new product is available nationally in both large bars and bags of individually wrapped DOVE^® Brand PROMISES^®. The suggested retail price for both is $1.99 and $3.49, respectively.

For more information or to see footage from the unveiling, please visit www.facebook.com/dovechocolate.  

About Mars Chocolate North America

Mars Chocolate North America is the North American chocolate operations of Mars, Incorporated.  In 1911, Frank C. Mars made the first Mars candies in his Tacoma, Washington kitchen and established Mars' first roots as a confectionery company.  In the 1920s, Forrest E. Mars, Sr. joined his father in business and together they launched the MILKY WAY® bar. In 1932, Forrest, Sr. moved to the United Kingdom with a dream of  building a business based on the objective of creating a "mutuality of benefits for all stakeholders" – this objective serves as the foundation of Mars, Incorporated today. Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars has net sales of more than $33 billion, six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks, Symbioscience, and more than 72,000 Associates worldwide that are putting its Principles into action to make a difference for people and the planet through its performance.

Mars brands include: Petcare – PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, KITEKAT®, BANFIELD® Pet Hospital, NUTRO®, SHEBA®, DREAMIES® and CESAR®; Chocolate – M&M'S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Wrigley – DOUBLEMINT®, EXTRA®, ORBIT® and 5™ chewing gums, SKITTLES® and STARBURST® candies, and ALTOIDS® AND LIFESAVERS® mints.  Food –UNCLE BEN'S®, DOLMIO®, EBLY®, MASTERFOODS®, SEEDS OF CHANGE® and ROYCO®; Drinks – ALTERRA ^® Coffee Roasterscoffee, THE BRIGHT TEA CO.^® tea,DOVE^®/GALAXY^® Hot Chocolate, and FLAVIA^® brewer; Symbioscience – COCOAVIA™, WISDOM PANEL™ and SERAMIS®. 

For more information, please visit www.mars.com.  Follow us: facebook.com/mars, twitter.com/marsglobal, youtube.com/mars.

 ^®/™ Trademarks ^© Mars, Incorporated 2013.

Source:  1. AE-Nation online survey 2011  

SOURCE Mars Chocolate North America