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Mentos forms $100,000 national partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America


Mentos stands for fresh connections, and always has. And this year, Mentos is taking that commitment to fresh connections even further.

“We’re going to help the millions of people who buy Mentos not only to make fresh connections, but also pay it forward for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America,” said Sylvia Buxton, vice president of marketing for Perfetti Van Melle, the manufacturer and marketer of Mentos. “Through this campaign, Mentos is donating $100,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Because of the ‘Hometown Connection’ – $25,000 of this donation will be given to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati.”

With the new limited edition Mentos “Say Hello” mints, Mentos has turned every mint into a way to “Say Hello,” to make a fresh connection. Each mint in the roll of Mentos Say Hello includes a way to connect, to Say Hello. Messaging on the mints includes suggestions such as fist bump, play rock-paper-scissors, give a high five and many more.

But that’s not all. From Aug. 1 through Oct. 31, by participating in the Mentos Say Hello text campaign – found on displays in retailers throughout the U.S. – Mentos is giving shoppers the chance to “Pay It Forward for Big Brothers Big Sisters.”

“Every day, Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliates in every state across the country create meaningful, supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships between young people and caring adult volunteers,” said Pam Iorio, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters. “These connections change lives and inspire youth to reach their full potential. We are proud to partner with Mentos as they introduce their campaign to create connections.”

During this year’s back-to-school season, shoppers can do their part to support this campaign simply by accessing and sharing discount coupons for Mentos Say Hello mints.

How does it work?

Shoppers will see Mentos Say Hello/Pay it Forward displays in thousands of stores across the country with instructions on how to participate.

• Shoppers can text the word “Mentos” to a designated code to receive a digital Mentos Coupon.
• And for everyone who makes that initial coupon text, Mentos will “Pay it Forward” by donating to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
• Mentos has committed to donating up to $100,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Mentos is in 159 countries, a global brand. Mentos comes in a lot of different shapes, flavors, and sizes, so there’s something for everyone and every taste.

Perfetti Van Melle Benelux B.V. is a privately owned global company that was established in March of 2001 through the merger of Perfetti SpA and Van Melle B.V. Perfetti Van Melle manufactures and distributes sugar confectionery and chewing gum products in more than 150 countries. Today, Perfetti Van Melle is one of the world’s largest confectionery groups, marketing highly renowned brands such as Mentos, Frisk, Chupa Chups, Smint, Fruittella, Alpenliebe, Golia, Vivdent, Airheads, Happydent & Big Babol. The Group has corporate headquarters in Italy and The Netherlands. Its U.S. operations are solely operated out of Erlanger.

Big Brothers Big Sisters provides children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Learn more at www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati


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