• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, April 16, 2021

Iconic candy company Hershey’s has selected Horizon Media as media AOR for its U.S. confectionary business (candy, mint and gum) after a review that began last November.

Spending in the U.S. was about $378 million last year, down about $100 million from 2019, according to Kantar Media.

The remit includes all paid media, including linear, digital, social, programmatic and retailer media.  The review did not include media for Hershey-owned Amplify Foods and ONE brands or Hershey's international markets.  

"Horizon Media not only demonstrated comprehensive, top-notch media and omnichannel capabilities, but they also provided a unique collaborative partner-first approach which was a critical component of the review," said Charlie Chappell, vice president media, The Hershey Company. "As the world and media industry are in the midst of significant and rapid changes, Hershey needed to ensure that we have the right team who will complement and enhance our internal media capabilities."

The company said at the start of the that it would be by invitation-only and incumbent agencies, including UM, which handled most of the business were being invited to participate. Media consultant ID Comms was retained to assist with the review process.

The company markets more than 80 brands including the flagship Hershey's chocolate bar brand as well as Reese's, Krackle, Kit Kat, Kisses, York, Twizzlers, Mounds, Ice Breakers, Jolly Rancher, and Bubble Yum.