Mondelēz International is evolving the Toblerone chocolate brand with new formats in key markets, bringing to life its updated brand signature "Never Square." The 115-year-old brand is supporting the new positioning with significant investments in premium product offerings, marketing and advertising, and expanded distribution.
Inspired by luxury brands, the global “Never Square” campaign looks at conventions and standards with a cheeky, authentic point of view, positioning Toblerone as a premium chocolate offering.
“We’re excited and inspired by the new brand platform, ‘Never Square,’ which pays homage to the values embodied by founder Theodor Tobler,” said Mie-Leng Wong, senior vice president of global brands at Mondelēz International. “He embraced originality and created a triangular chocolate in a world of squares, and this platform is our way of inspiring people to do just that.”
In line with the brand’s refreshed style and messaging are new premium product offerings and gifting options:
- Toblerone Truffles are a combination of the original taste of Toblerone with a new, velvety smooth truffle center and familiar bites of crunchy honey and almond nougat, wrapped in a diamond shape. The truffles recently made their debut in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Australia, as well as airport duty-free stores in key markets. They will expand to other countries next year.
- Tiny Toblerone packs are expanding to U.S. retailers, making the premium chocolate brand, once available predominantly in airports, accessible to a wider range of U.S. consumers. Tiny Toblerone packages are offered in two varieties: classic milk chocolate with honey and almond nougat, and a variety pack of milk, white and dark chocolates with honey and almond nougat.
- Gifting options became more personalized with Toblerone’s new online gifting platform, offering another way to embrace individuality. Launched last year, toblerone.co.uk allows customers to choose from a curated assortment of formats, flavors, and sleeve designs, as well as adding their own personal message on packaging.
The updated creative approach for the brand shines through in U.K. advertisements promoting Toblerone Truffles, which feature the gemstone-shaped chocolates as luxury jewelry. Additional creative elements will roll out in other markets in the coming months. An example of the “Never Square” creative can be viewed here, and a 30-second Toblerone Truffles campaign here.
Along with updating the brand’s positioning, offering Toblerone in these smaller sizes supports the company’s goal of continuing to provide a wide variety of portion sizes and shareable options to help people enjoy chocolate as part of a balanced lifestyle and mindful diet. In Mondelēz’s 2022 State of Snacking Report, 78% of survey respondents across 12 countries said they take time to savor indulgent snacks, and 61% said they take time to portion out snacks before eating them.
“Savoring an appropriate portion of a treat like chocolate and focusing on truly experiencing it with all your senses can help make it easier to fully enjoy snacking as part of a balanced lifestyle,” said Michelle Pickering, senior vice president, research & development for global chocolate and cocoa at Mondelēz International.
Mondelēz previously announced its ambition to generate 90% of revenue through its core categories of chocolate, biscuits, and baked snacks. Because premium chocolate is fast growing, the company is significantly accelerating its focus in this space with additional Toblerone offerings, including pralines similar to the U.K. truffles and personalized gifting options, rolling out in numerous markets.
Mondelēz International is on the current Candy Industry “Global Top 100 Candy Companies” list. Click here to view the current “Global Top 100” rankings.
