The Hershey Company and United States Postal Service Unveil the 2007 'With Love and Kisses' Stamp

HERSHEY, Pa., Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Hershey Company and the United States Postal Service today unveiled the 2007 edition of the LOVE Series stamp, entitled "With Love and Kisses." The Hershey's Kisses brand is the new centerpiece of the popular LOVE stamp series, making it the first chocolate product selected for placement on a stamp. The "With Love and Kisses" stamp will be available beginning in January 2007 in conjunction with Hershey's Kisses 100th anniversary celebration.

"The Hershey's Kisses brand is an enduring symbol of love, affection and sharing, recognized the world over for its distinct shape, classic silver foil and unmistakable plume," said Michele Buck, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, U.S. Commercial Group, The Hershey Company. "The 'With Love and Kisses' stamp reinforces the passion and emotional connection consumers have with the iconic Hershey's Kisses brand. What a great way to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of Hershey's Kisses."

"Whether it's a Valentine's card, a love letter or just sweet thoughts to someone dear, America keeps love in the air and in the mail all year round," said U.S. Postal Service Chief Marketing Officer Anita Bizzotto. "In 2007, those cards and letters will be all the sweeter with the addition of a colorful 'With Love and Kisses' stamp featuring the image of a classic American confection, the Hershey's Kiss."

More than one billion LOVE stamps are printed each year. The annual LOVE stamp design is selected by the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC), which recommends approximately 25 new subjects for commemorative stamps each year. The "With Love and Kisses" stamp was selected as a tribute to the passion that people feel for Hershey's Kisses chocolates.

The LOVE Stamp

The U.S. Postal Service first debuted the LOVE stamp in 1973, with a denomination of eight cents. The LOVE stamp now costs thirty-nine cents and is available at all U.S. Postal Service locations. During the past three decades, the LOVE stamp has featured a number of symbols of love including: hearts, flowers, doves and cherubs. This marks the first year the LOVE stamp will feature Hershey's Kisses brand chocolates as its symbol of love.

Hershey's Kisses Turns 100

Milton Hershey created Hershey's Kisses brand chocolates in 1907. Today, the Hershey's Kisses brand is one of America's most recognized and loved brands, with more than 80 million Kisses chocolates produced daily. In 2007, Hershey's Kisses will be celebrating its 100th anniversary through a year-long campaign, bringing its inherent emotional connection to life every day. To find out more about Hershey's Kisses 100th anniversary, visit http://www.hersheyskisses.com/.

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company is a leading snack food company and the largest North American manufacturer of quality chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery products. With revenues of over $4 billion and more than 14,000 employees worldwide, The Hershey Company markets such well-known brands as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Kit Kat, Almond Joy, Mounds, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers, Ice Breakers, and Mauna Loa, as well as innovative new products such as Hershey's Kissables, Take 5 candy bar and Hershey's Cookies. In addition to its traditional confectionery products, Hershey offers a range of products specifically developed to address the nutritional interests of today's health-conscious consumer. These products include sugar-free Hershey's, Reese's and York candies, and PayDay Pro energy bar. It also markets Hershey's cocoa, Hershey's syrup and other branded baking ingredients, toppings and beverages. In addition, Artisan Confections Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Hershey Company, markets such premium chocolate offerings as Scharffen Berger, known for its high-cacao dark chocolate products, and Joseph Schmidt, recognized for its fine, handcrafted chocolate gifts. Visit us at http://www.hersheynewsroom.com/.