2004 Sweethearts Conversation Hearts Make Sweet Wishes Come True.

Business Editors

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 14, 2004

Sweethearts Inspire Dreams and a New "Love" Stamp

Love not only inspires new beginnings this Valentine's Day, but it also makes wishes come true. Sweet dreams and new beginnings, it all starts with a wish. That is this year's message behind the newest edition of the New England Confectionery Company's (NECCO) ten new fairy tale oriented Sweethearts(R) Conversation Hearts candies.

In 2004, lovers everywhere will use the world's most famous Valentine's Day candies to encourage their sweethearts to make "3 Wishes" and live happily "Ever After." Among the other new sayings that sweetly encourage dreaming a little dream are "New You," "Magic," "New Love," "Dream" and "Charm Me."

"When people are in love, often times dreams seem much more attainable," said Lory Zimbalatti, NECCO's marketing manager, who is a member of the team that chose the 2004 heart sayings.

With NECCO's recent move to a new 820,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility in Revere, Massachusetts, the oldest continuously run, multi-line candy company is poised for new beginnings, while maintaining sweet traditions. "This is such an exciting time for NECCO," said Domenic M. Antonellis, NECCO's president and CEO. "This facility is a dream come true, and what better way to capture the season of love then by inspiring people to believe in their own hopes and dreams."

Additional new Sweethearts sayings for 2004 are "Start Now," and a phenomena that makes sending your wishes to those you love that much sweeter and faster "IM Me."

The traditional "I (heart) You" saying rounds out this year's sentiments and was inspired by the new United States Postal Service "love" stamp launching this year.

While the Sweethearts sayings have a new twist each year, NECCO's basic recipe and the way they are made remains the same. The hearts are produced in two sizes - small and large. Approximately two words with four letters each can be stamped on the small hearts and two words with five letters each can be used on the larger-sized hearts.

NECCO operates three plants, which are located in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and Louisiana. These plants produce all the Sweethearts Conversation Hearts year round to meet the huge demand for the traditional Valentine's Day candy. Their entire production of NECCO Sweethearts sells out in just six weeks, totaling more than eight billion hearts.

The concept of Conversation Motto Hearts dates back to the late 1800's when printed sayings on colored paper were placed in "Cockles," small crisp candies formed in the shape of a scalloped shell. In 1866, Daniel Chase, brother of Oliver Chase, who founded NECCO in 1847, invented the process, which allows the sayings to be printed directly on the candy. Some of the original sayings that are still included on the over 100 sayings produced this year are "Be Mine," "Be Good," "Be True," "Kiss Me," and "Sweet Talk."

Sweethearts Conversation Hearts are fat-free and sodium-free, and are one Valentine's candy that candy lovers can enjoy without guilt. "The small hearts have about three calories and the larger hearts about six calories," said Zimbalatti "so it's possible to woo your sweetheart with a fun and romantic treat that's low in calories and that has no fat. And with this year's new sayings, you can tell your sweetheart all your wishes and dreams!"