Mars & Co. are a cynical bunch, though the way the alleged success of various foodie groups is being reported, you would be forgiven for thinking that I might be the only person around to consider it so. :-/

Why would a company that makes well known and beloved sweetie bars, like Mars Bars, want to suddenly commit commercial suicide by announcing they will use animal products from here-on-in, in the manufacture of their major selling lines?

1. The sweeties aren't selling in the volume the company is used to.
2. Battered and fried Mars Bars must have gone out of fashion.
3. The sales figures need urgently increasing to monstrous figures.
4. Advertising is expensive; imaginative advertising is required.

Boardroom brainstorming - "let's announce we're using animal renet from now on and generate a frenzy amongst the vegetarian fraternity".

Vegetarians are, after all, a large minority in the population, large enough to make a loud fuss, "oh, and by the way, haven't they got a Vegetarian Society who can front up as pressure group leaders... goody, goody, they will encourage interest in the media to report this alarming development."

In one fell swoop, advertising of proportions too costly to generate from the corporate sales budget is manipulated out of the media news hounds, who smell a bit of chocolate-coated caramel people frenzy and increased news interest. The Vegetarian Society is flushed with pride and success at their powers of persuasion in getting Mars and Company to "backtrack". Everyone is happy. :DD

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