Mars creates The M&M'S FUNd Advisory Council

M&M'S, a Mars brand, is taking the next steps toward achieving its goal of increasing a sense of belonging for 10 million people around the world by 2025.

Sandra Levy

7/22/2022

M&M'S, the iconic candy brand that is part of Mars, is launching The M&M'S FUNd Advisory Council, a group of experts who will drive M&M'S brand programming of diversity, inclusivity and belonging around the world.

The M&M'S FUNd was announced this past January with the intention to track the brand's action against the refreshed purpose to create a world where everyone feels they belong. The M&M'S FUNd offers resources, mentorship, opportunities and financial support in the arts and entertainment space to connect people and ensure they have access to experiences to increase a sense of belonging for 10 million people around the world by 2025.

The founding advisory council for the M&M'S FUNd will include representatives from Coqual, Disability:IN, GLAAD, Global Belonging Collaborative, GroupM and PolicyLink. M&M'S will convene the below advisors from esteemed organizations together several times a year to assess the brand's programs, quantify impact, provide counsel and further its mission through its organizations' respective networks.

Gwyneth Meeks, senior vice president, Leadership Development, Coqual
Jill Houghton, president and CEO, Disability:IN
John McCourt, deputy vice president of Strategic Partnerships, GLAAD
Dr. Kelly-Ann Allen, lead director and founder, Global Belonging Collaborative
Gonzalo Del Fa, president, GroupM
Ashleigh Gardere, executive vice president, PolicyLink

"Mars is innovating to create positive impact on society and shape the world we want tomorrow — and the evolved M&M'S purpose is one more example of how our brands are able to inspire moments of everyday happiness for consumers," said Jessica Adelman, corporate affairs vice president at Mars Wrigley. "Mars and the M&M'S brand are honored to partner with this deep-bench of global experts who as part of the M&M'S FUNd will help us to create a world where everyone feels they belong."

[Read more: Mars Wrigley previews 2022 lineup]

Since unveiling its purpose, M&M'S said that it has been hard at work delivering on its promise to create a world where everyone feels they belong, bringing its commitment to life across every touchpoint, including through product, digital offerings, content, in-store programs and consumer activations, all under the M&M'S FUNd.

M&M'S newest ad spots — "Office Party" and "Meet The Parents" — reflect the new brand purpose, visually representing the importance of celebrating people's differences and using fun to foster connection and a sense of belonging.

In Germany, M&M'S developed Projekt Open Mic, partnering with headliner talent to launch the careers of three diverse new comedians to help make the German comedy scene more inclusive.

In celebration of International Women's Day in March, M&M'S created a #StreamingFemaleVoices Spotify playlist featuring songs by all female artists to help start to bridge the gender gap in music and donated $1 per stream (up to $25,000) to Women in Music.

M&M'S continued its partnership with the Bentonville Film Festival Foundation to offer a mentorship program to a diverse filmmaker, consisting of a $20,000 grant and the opportunity to work with the M&M'S team on a project focused on championing inclusion. The recipient of the 'M&M'S For All Funkind Award' selected from submissions from the 2021 Bentonville Film Festival Foundation was announced on June 25.

In Australia, M&M'S launched the M&M'S Comedy Spotlight platform, spotlighting seven rising comedy stars to create a more inclusive comedy scene.

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