Today In History with The Retrospectors cover image

Today In History with The Retrospectors

Marathon Begat Snickers

Jul 19, 2024
Discover the intriguing history behind the Snickers bar, originally known as Marathon in the UK until a name change in 1990. Explore the strategic branding decisions that sparked nostalgia and debate among chocolate lovers. Dive into the marketing evolution of Snickers, highlighting its clever ads that play on themes of masculinity and camaraderie. Learn about Frank Mars' curious naming choices and the cultural impact these iconic candy bars have had over time.
11:08

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The rebranding of Marathon to Snickers in the UK illustrates the impact of unified global branding strategies on consumer perception and nostalgia.
  • Snickers' marketing effectively leveraged hyper-masculine identities and cultural narratives, resulting in increased sales and a strong brand identity.

Deep dives

The Renaming of the Marathon Bar

In 1990, Mars Incorporated decided to rename the Marathon Chocolate Bar to Snickers in the UK, aligning it with the rest of the world. The original name had been a topic of nostalgia and debate, with many consumers expressing a preference for the Marathon name. This name change reflects the broader trend of creating 'Euro brands' in anticipation of the European Union's single market, allowing for unified branding across multiple countries. The rebranding aimed to simplify marketing and foster global recognition for the product.

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