Latest news with #MARS
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
MARS Launches New Skittles Cloudz With Met Service Website And Britomart Takeover
Press Release – Mars Thousands of Auckland commuters experienced a colour and flavour burst with a visual takeover of Britomart station to launch new Skittles Cloudz, a soft-format twist on one of New Zealand's most loved confectionery brands. Kiwis consumed over one million bags of original Skittles nationwide last year, and now for the first time since they were launched in 2003, global FMCG giant MARS is introducing a new chewy, textural twist on the familiar fruity favourite to the local market – Skittles Cloudz. As part of the product launch, Auckland commuters trialling the free product benefited from a colour therapy experience designed to combat the emotional toll of winter. The Skittles 'Taste The Rainbow' colour burst, at the city's busiest train station, took inspiration from colour and taste therapy to help lift moods during the darkest part of the year. To further amplify the launch, Skittles has also taken over the MetService website, bringing a burst of colour to the country's most-visited weather destination. For a limited time, weather updates on were presented through a vibrant Skittles-themed lens, merging the nation's daily weather habits with a playful twist on the brand's 'Taste the Rainbow' campaign. The creative activation brought an unexpected moment of cheer to Kiwis checking the forecast during the winter gloom, reinforcing the Skittles Cloudz campaign's mission to brighten up the season. Shane Hammond from MARS says Skittles remains one of New Zealand's most popular confectionery products, with strong nationwide demand year-round. Hammond says as part of the display Auckland commuters were among the first in the country to try Skittles Cloudz the first textural variation of the brand to be launched in NZ. 'Kiwis aren't just looking for new flavours, they want new textures too. The new product reflects growing demand for new sensory experiences in confectionery. It offers a soft, bouncy chew that's completely different to the original, but still delivers those familiar fruity notes that Skittles fans love.' 'Our takeover of Britomart Station was about more than just product, it's about creating a moment of brightness in people's everyday routine; connecting them with moments of everyday happiness.. 'We know that even small sensory experiences can make a difference to how people feel, especially during the darker months. If we can help bring a bit of joy and colour to someone's commute, then we've achieved something worthwhile.' 'At its core, this is a reminder that well-being doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes a burst of colour, a familiar taste or a light-hearted moment can help lift someone's day, and that's a powerful thing during winter.' Credits Client – MARS Erin Sing, Senior Manager, External Communications and Public Affairs ANZ Monique Brooks, Senior Brand Manager Grayson Munroe, Project Acceleration Manager EssenceMediacom – Client Management & Campaign Coordination Brita Barton, Account Executive Janelle Fernandes, Associate Planning Director Courtney Barnett, Group Business Director Farrimond – Britomart Sampling Vanessa George, Group Account Director MediaWorks – Britomart Agency Lisa Howard, Group Account Director MetService – Website Activation Nathalie O'Toole, Key Account Manager Nicola Cornish, Graphic Designer Public Relations Fleur Revell-Devlin, Director, Impact PR Auckland Content Sourced from Original url
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
MARS Launches New Skittles Cloudz With Met Service Website And Britomart Takeover
Thousands of Auckland commuters experienced a colour and flavour burst with a visual takeover of Britomart station to launch new Skittles Cloudz, a soft-format twist on one of New Zealand's most loved confectionery brands. Kiwis consumed over one million bags of original Skittles nationwide last year, and now for the first time since they were launched in 2003, global FMCG giant MARS is introducing a new chewy, textural twist on the familiar fruity favourite to the local market - Skittles Cloudz. As part of the product launch, Auckland commuters trialling the free product benefited from a colour therapy experience designed to combat the emotional toll of winter. The Skittles 'Taste The Rainbow' colour burst, at the city's busiest train station, took inspiration from colour and taste therapy to help lift moods during the darkest part of the year. To further amplify the launch, Skittles has also taken over the MetService website, bringing a burst of colour to the country's most-visited weather destination. For a limited time, weather updates on were presented through a vibrant Skittles-themed lens, merging the nation's daily weather habits with a playful twist on the brand's 'Taste the Rainbow' campaign. The creative activation brought an unexpected moment of cheer to Kiwis checking the forecast during the winter gloom, reinforcing the Skittles Cloudz campaign's mission to brighten up the season. Shane Hammond from MARS says Skittles remains one of New Zealand's most popular confectionery products, with strong nationwide demand year-round. Hammond says as part of the display Auckland commuters were among the first in the country to try Skittles Cloudz the first textural variation of the brand to be launched in NZ. 'Kiwis aren't just looking for new flavours, they want new textures too. The new product reflects growing demand for new sensory experiences in confectionery. It offers a soft, bouncy chew that's completely different to the original, but still delivers those familiar fruity notes that Skittles fans love.' 'Our takeover of Britomart Station was about more than just product, it's about creating a moment of brightness in people's everyday routine; connecting them with moments of everyday happiness.. 'We know that even small sensory experiences can make a difference to how people feel, especially during the darker months. If we can help bring a bit of joy and colour to someone's commute, then we've achieved something worthwhile.' 'At its core, this is a reminder that well-being doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes a burst of colour, a familiar taste or a light-hearted moment can help lift someone's day, and that's a powerful thing during winter.' Credits Client – MARS Erin Sing, Senior Manager, External Communications and Public Affairs ANZ Monique Brooks, Senior Brand Manager Grayson Munroe, Project Acceleration Manager EssenceMediacom – Client Management & Campaign Coordination Farrimond – Britomart Sampling Vanessa George, Group Account Director MediaWorks – Britomart Agency Lisa Howard, Group Account Director MetService – Website Activation Nathalie O'Toole, Key Account Manager Nicola Cornish, Graphic Designer Public Relations
Techday NZ
23-07-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Skittles Cloudz launch dazzles Auckland commuters with colour
MARS has launched a new product, Skittles Cloudz, in New Zealand, accompanied by a digital campaign on the MetService website and a transformation at Britomart Station in Auckland. The new product introduces a "soft-format twist" on the established Skittles brand, offering consumers a chewy variant described as texturally distinct from the original sweets. MARS has promoted Skittles Cloudz with a multi-channel approach targeting commuters and online audiences during winter. Winter campaign As part of the campaign, Britomart Station, the busiest train hub in Auckland, underwent a visual makeover. This activation provided free samples to commuters and incorporated a "colour therapy experience" intended to counteract the effects of winter on mood. The visual elements drew inspiration from both colour and taste therapy, aiming to lift the spirits of Auckland rail users during the season's shortest days. The initiative also included a unique digital element: for a limited period, the MetService website displayed Skittles-themed weather updates. These updates presented typically straightforward weather information in a colourful, interactive format intended to stand out against the usual winter gloom. The campaign was designed to coincide with high rates of weather-checking during the colder months. According to MARS, this combination of visibility at physical locations and digital platforms is part of a broader strategy to reach consumers in both their daily commutes and online routines. Product launch details Skittles remains a popular choice among New Zealand consumers, with Kiwis purchasing more than one million bags of the original product last year. The launch of Skittles Cloudz marks the first new textural variant of the brand introduced in New Zealand since Skittles entered the market in 2003. The new product maintains the signature fruity flavours associated with Skittles while introducing a soft, bouncy texture. "Kiwis aren't just looking for new flavours, they want new textures too. The new product reflects growing demand for new sensory experiences in confectionery. It offers a soft, bouncy chew that's completely different to the original, but still delivers those familiar fruity notes that Skittles fans love." Shane Hammond from MARS highlighted the company's approach, stating, "Our takeover of Britomart Station was about more than just product, it's about creating a moment of brightness in people's everyday routine; connecting them with moments of everyday happiness." Consumer engagement The Britomart activation allowed Auckland commuters to be among the first in New Zealand to sample the new Skittles Cloudz. The digital takeover of MetService presented colourful weather updates which MARS described as designed to bring "an unexpected moment of cheer" for those checking forecasts during the winter months. Hammond emphasised the campaign's focus on well-being and small, positive sensory experiences: "We know that even small sensory experiences can make a difference to how people feel, especially during the darker months. If we can help bring a bit of joy and colour to someone's commute, then we've achieved something worthwhile." He continued, "At its core, this is a reminder that well-being doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes a burst of colour, a familiar taste or a light-hearted moment can help lift someone's day, and that's a powerful thing during winter." MARS' campaign integrates physical and digital engagement, reflecting shifts in consumer expectations regarding brand interactions and the use of online platforms beyond conventional retail environments. The activation also demonstrates the use of behavioural insights, such as seasonal mood and weather-checking habits, in designing marketing campaigns that seek to create "micro-moments of joy" throughout consumers' daily routines. Follow us on: Share on:
TechCrunch
22-07-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
Rocket Lab's first hurdle to flying its new rocket is getting it to the pad
Rocket Lab has asked regulators for permission to transport oversized Neutron rocket structures through shallow waters to a spaceport off the coast of Virginia as it races to meet a September delivery deadline. The request, which was made in July, is a temporary stop gap while the company awaits federal clearance to dredge a permanent channel to the Wallops Island site. Rocket Lab plans to launch its Neutron medium-lift rocket from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Wallops Island, Virginia, a lower-traffic spaceport that's surrounded by shallow channels and waterways. The company currently launches its Electron small rocket from this location. Rocket Lab has a sizable checklist to tick-off before Neutron can make its orbital debut, like mating the rocket stages, performing a 'wet dress' rehearsal, and getting its launch license from the Federal Aviation Administration. Before any of that can happen, the rocket hardware needs to make it onto the island. Rocket Lab submitted an application for the dredging project to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission in March. In its application, the company touted the benefits of MARS, noting other launch facilities in Florida and elsewhere are highly congested, which could limit launch cadence. MARS, in contrast, 'will allow both frequent launch cadence and the return-to-Earth capability of recovering boosters,' Rocket Lab said at the time. Despite that upside, MARS is constrained in a crucial way: existing maritime infrastructure is limited, and access to the channel – called Sloop Gut – depends on favorable tides. As Rocket Lab and its co-applicant, Virginia Port Authority, notes in its request, 'there is no permanent existing means of providing safe and reliable access for large infrastructure deliveries to Wallops Island.' (Electron is substantially smaller and delivered via road.) Techcrunch event Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They're here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don't miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise. Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They're here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don't miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise. San Francisco | REGISTER NOW Rocket Lab has poured millions into the MARS site to ensure it's ready to support regular Neutron launches. The company is planning to spend more than $5 million to dredge the roughly mile-long Sloop Gut, so barges can perform regular deliveries of large Neutron rocket components. Rocket lab's plans to dredge sloop gut The dredging project was approved by VMRC in May, but the company has yet to start digging because it's still awaiting federal sign-off from the Army Corps of Engineers. As the company waits for federal approval, Rocket Lab and VPA are seeking permission to use a temporary method called 'kedging' to ensure the first five hardware deliveries can arrive on schedule starting in September. The company has said it plans to launch Neutron's maiden test mission in the second half of 2025. But the dredging application and Rocket Lab's separate kedging request suggest that it's not hardware delays, but maritime access that could be a bottleneck for the first launch. Kedging, a little-known nautical method, is used to ensure the barges can safely navigate the existing shallow channel. Workers would use a series of anchors and lines to steer the barge through the shallow waters. The company is seeking permission to use this method through the end of June 2026 or until the dredging work is complete, whichever comes first. It's unclear how long the dredging project will take. In the case that the kedging request is not approved in a timely manner, Rocket Lab said in its application that it would be able to transport structures over the beach using ramps and cranes. The company received permission for up to three beach barge landing test events – but these cannot take place between March 15 and August 31, so it is far from a long-term solution. In the dredging application, the company detailed several other alternative methods to get hardware on the island, like transporting it by road or public boat ramp. However, these methods were ultimately deemed infeasible for reasons such as cost, infrastructure limitations, and the weather. Rocket Lab did not respond to TechCrunch's request for comment. Both filings highlight the importance of maritime access for Rocket Lab's Virginia ambitions. The sooner the company can start dropping kedge anchors in time to receive the hardware shipments, the sooner it can start knocking off the rest of its pre-flight checklist.
CTV News
17-07-2025
- CTV News
Blue whale spotted just off the shore of Ingonish Harbour, N.S.
The largest species of whale was caught on camera by a tour group in Cape Breton Wednesday. A tour group led by Ingonish Whale Watching & Scenic tours had an up-close encounter with a blue whale Wednesday morning just off the shore of Ingonish Harbour, N.S. The tour guide and his lucky customers captured the animal on video. 'Everyone was amazed,' said Jakob Whitty, a tour guide captain. 'A lot of people said I made their day or made their week. They were very happy. There was a lot of cheering and clapping for sure.' The head of the Marine Animal Response Society (MARS) confirmed the animal was indeed a blue whale. 'Yes, it absolutely is,' said MARS executive director Tonya Wimmer. 'That is one of the most amazing animals you'll ever get to see on the planet.' While it's not unheard of for an endangered blue whale to make its way into Maritime waters, Wimmer said a close encounter is fairly rare. 'We do get blue whales that will come to Eastern Canadian waters in the summer to feed and what not, but to have it that close to shore and in that location off Cape Breton is a pretty rare and special treat,'she said. Whitty said Wednesday's sighting was not the only time the tour group has seen some spectacular marine life. In July 2018, a pod of beluga whales caused quite a sensation when they made an extended visit to the waters off the Cabot Trail. 'They spent about two or three weeks in the channel there behind me, between the two buoys and people were able to go check them out every day with their boats,' Whitty recalled. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
