Long will be responsible for Hershey's global corporate social responsibility efforts, including sustainability and ethical supply chain solutions, environmental stewardship, community relations and corporate philanthropy, and the company's work in the area of responsible cocoa growing. An internal and external search is underway for a successor to Long as the company's Vice President, Corporate Communications.

In making the announcement, Lenny said, "Hershey has a rich heritage of doing business responsibly and improving the quality of life in communities locally and internationally. John has played a leading role in these efforts, and his experience at Hershey and with industry groups makes him the ideal choice for this new position. His keen understanding of the issues, compassion, and energy will further ensure Hershey's deep commitment to all areas of social responsibility."

Hernquist said, "Social responsibility and community involvement have been in the fabric of The Hershey Company since our beginnings. At the core of this social commitment is our relationship with the Milton Hershey School, which was established in 1909 and now nurtures and educates more than 1,400 disadvantaged children. John's appointment as Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, further advances The Hershey Company's deep commitment to improving the quality of life and stewardship of the environment, from cocoa growing regions to all of the global markets in which we do business."

Long joined The Hershey Company in 1986 as Director, Public Relations, and became Director, Consumer and Public Relations in 1989. In 2001, he was promoted to Vice President, Public Affairs, and was named Vice President, Corporate Affairs in 2005.

Long is chairman of the World Cocoa Foundation and serves on the Global Issues Group of the international confectionery industry as well as on the boards of the International Cocoa Initiative and United Way International. He holds a master's degree in political science from Columbia University, a certificate from the Russian Institute, Columbia University, and a bachelor's degree in political science and Russian from Oberlin College.

To find out more about The Hershey Company's commitment to the community, go to http://www.thehersheycompany.com/making/.

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is the largest North American manufacturer of quality chocolate and sugar confectionery products. With revenues of nearly $5 billion and more than 13,000 employees worldwide, The Hershey Company markets such iconic brands as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, and Ice Breakers. Hershey is the leader in the fast-growing dark and premium chocolate segment, with such brands as Hershey's Special Dark, Hershey's Extra Dark and Cacao Reserve by Hershey's. Hershey's Ice Breakers franchise delivers refreshment across a variety of mint and gum flavors and formats. In addition, Hershey leverages its iconic brands, marketplace scale and confectionery and nut expertise to develop and deliver substantial snacks, including Hershey's and Reese's single-serve cookies and brownies, and value-added snack nuts, including Hershey's Milk Chocolate Covered Almonds and Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds. Hershey also offers a range of products to address the health and well-being needs of today's consumer. Hershey's and Reese's Snacksters offer consumers great-tasting snacks in portion-controlled servings, while Hershey's dark chocolate offerings provide the benefits of flavanol antioxidants. 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, Joseph Schmidt, recognized for its fine, handcrafted chocolate gifts, and Dagoba, known for its high-quality natural and organic chocolate bars. Visit us at http://www.hersheynewsroom.com.

SOURCE The Hershey Company

Kirk Saville of The Hershey Company, +1-717-534-7641

http://www.hersheys.com/