logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2024
11m 8s

Marathon Begat Snickers

The Retrospectors
About this episode

Rerun: The world’s biggest-selling chocolate bar underwent a name-change in Britain on 19th July, 1990. Until then - concerned that Brits might refer to their candy as ‘knickers’ - Snickers had been known as ‘Marathon’ in the UK. 

31 years later, the decision still smarts for some sections of the confectionary-buying public - but, thanks to the ‘You’re Not You When You’re Hungry’ campaign, its popularity has increased, regardless.

In this episode, Olly, Rebecca and Arion dig around in the manosphere, untangle the Mars / Milky Way / Three Musketeers transatlantic naming nightmare; and reveal Frank Mars’ penchant for women named Ethel… 

Further Reading:

• ‘It’s packed full of peanuts, but not too sweet’ - the 1980s ‘stockbrokers’ Marathon ad featuring Rebecca’s ex-colleague https://youtu.be/QJgD9cI4_xQ

• ‘Case study: How fame made Snickers' 'You're not you when you're hungry' campaign a success’ (Campaign, 2016): https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/case-study-fame-made-snickers-youre-not-when-youre-hungry-campaign-success/1410807

• ‘The Untold Truth of Snickers’ (Mashed, 2020):

https://www.mashed.com/203394/the-untold-truth-of-snickers/


‘Why am I hearing a rerun?’

Each Thursday and Friday we repeat stories from our archive of 800+ episodes, so we can maintain the quality of our independent podcast and bring you fresh, free content every Monday-Wednesday… 


… But 🌴CLUB RETROSPECTORS🌴members get an additional full-length episode each Sunday! Join now with a free trial on Apple Podcasts or Patreon and support our show ❤️

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Up next
Today
The First Gay Games
Over 1,300 athletes from 12 countries gathered at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco for the first-ever Gay Games, on 28th August, 1982. Intended as the “Gay Olympics,” the event had to change its name at the last minute after the US Olympic Committee sued. But the opening ceremony w ... Show More
12m 36s
Yesterday
The 38 Minute War
The shortest war in history began at 09:02 on 27th August, 1896 - and was over 38 minutes later - when The British Empire, at the peak of its power, flexed its military might over the African island of Zanzibar. The drama began when the pro-British Sultan Hamad suddenly died, and ... Show More
13m 43s
Aug 26
Colin The Caterpillar - A Cultural Odyssey
Equally beloved at office boardrooms and toddler birthday parties, Colin the Caterpillar - a £7 swiss roll cake with white and milk chocolate and buttercream - was launched at an unsuspecting public by Marks and Spencer on 26th August, 1990. At the product development stage, he w ... Show More
11m 41s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2025
Episode 335: The Murder of Madalyn Murray O’Hair – Part 1
Critics called her rude, blasphemous, a destroyer of beliefs and values who popped off like a chain of fireworks in a church. The progressive activism of this lawyer, veteran, mom, fighter, and fan of four-letter-words earned her the nickname The Most Hated Woman in America. This ... Show More
1h 27m
Apr 2024
S3 Ep 20: Nightmare Fuel & Carb Loading
We’re talking… kids presenter styles, the City of Crawley, ‘Owl Man’ the superhero, early stand-up routines, Rom's final marathon preparations, an update on Tom’s very painful toe, Insta Lives with Robbie Williams, being friends with Take That, watching the Amy Winehouse movie wi ... Show More
1h 1m
Dec 2024
The 12 Books of Christmas | Comfort Eating with Grace Dent
To celebrate 2024, we’re taking a look backwards, and diving into the standout thinkers who have taken to the Intelligence Squared stage in the past 12 months. You might still be on the hunt for that perfect gift for the avid reader in your life, or perhaps you’re after some food ... Show More
1h 10m
Oct 2024
Confectionology (CANDY) with Susan Benjamin
Licorice opinions! War chocolate! Candy corn origins, circus peanut secrets, the sourest sourballs, and your great aunt’s purse. Stay until the very end for the biggest shocked laugh I have ever had on this show. The incredibly charming author, journalist, candy historian, and Co ... Show More
1h 46m
Oct 2024
Grace Dent on the Joys of Comfort Eating, Part Two
This is the second instalment of a three-part episode. The foods we turn to behind closed doors are deeply personal, saturated in memories and topped with a healthy dollop of guilty pleasure. In Comfort Eating, the podcast and accompanying book of the same name, Grace Dent – one ... Show More
42m 33s
Mar 2025
Memorial Day, 2020 | Part 1
Five years ago the entire world watched Derek Chauvin murder George Floyd. What did we miss? Get ad-free episodes to Revisionist History by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm. Pushkin+ subscribers can access ad-free episodes, full audiobooks, exclusive binges ... Show More
32m 58s
Mar 2024
20: Goy Goggles with Louis Katz | Soder Podcast | EP 20
On this episode Dan is joined by  @LouisKatzComedy watch his special here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01FUQkgPs3E The boys talk having cool nicknames, treadmill vs hamster wheel, exercise is a personality, high school girlfriends, bad eating habit, rogan elk meat, drinking v ... Show More
53m 23s
Apr 2024
383: Tears in Beards | The Official Podcast
Get your 3 month unlimited wireless plan for just $15: https://www.MINTMOBILE.com/OFFICIAL Four close man friends gather around to talk about crying into your beard.This is the Official Podcast. Every Thursday morning. Links Below. THE OFFICIAL NETWORK CHANNEL (SUBSCRIBE NOW): ht ... Show More
1h 13m
Jul 2019
Liquified Marzipan - Sound Design Special
“Help! The season 2 launch is next week, and I’m not ready! My computer crashed and the producers are complete maniacs! I need to disappear now!”A Behind the Scenes Bonus Episode focusing on the Sound Design of The Amelia Project. With: Alan Burgon, Mario Vernazza, Benjamin Noble ... Show More
31m 29s