Mars is spending nearly £10m on media support for its fruit sugar confectionery brands Starburst and Skittles this year and is adding new pack formats to the range. It is extending its 10p pack range to include Smilers, Juicy Gums, Fruity Animals and Joosters, bringing the range total to six (alongside Starburst Fruity Chews and Skittles). These are tailored for the pockets and appetites of the under 12s. At the other end of the scale, Mars is bringing Sourburst out in large bags (99p for 200g) following the launch of the standard pack last summer. To capitalise on the value driven nature of the sugar category, Mars is running a 20% extra free promotion on standard bags of Juicy Gums ­ Rex the Rent, Smilers, Joosters, Factor X and Sourburst (rsp 27p). The ad support for Starburst is £4.5m and £5m for Skittles this year. {{P&P }}

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