DEFA14A

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.     )

 

Filed by the Registrant x   Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨

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¨  Preliminary Proxy Statement

 

¨  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

 

¨  Definitive Proxy Statement

 

x  Definitive Additional Materials

 

¨  Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

 

The Hershey Company

 

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

 

 

  

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

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*** Exercise Your Right to Vote ***

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the

Annual Stockholder Meeting to Be Held on May 4, 2016.

 

 

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

 

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THE HERSHEY COMPANY

P.O. BOX 810

HERSHEY, PA 17033-0810

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Meeting Information

 

Meeting Type:          Annual Meeting

 

For holders as of:     March 7, 2016

 

Date:    May 4, 2016            Time: 10:00 a.m. EDT

 

Location:     GIANT Center

     550 West Hersheypark Drive

     Hershey, PA 17033

 

You are receiving this communication because you hold shares in the company named above.

This is not a ballot. You cannot use this notice to vote these shares. This communication presents only an overview of the more complete proxy materials that are available to you on the Internet. You may view the proxy materials online at www.proxyvote.com or easily request a paper copy (see reverse side).

We encourage you to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting.

 

See the reverse side of this notice to obtain proxy materials and voting instructions.
 


— Before You Vote —

How to Access the Proxy Materials

 

  

 

Proxy Materials Available to VIEW or RECEIVE:

   
  

 

NOTICE OF 2016 ANNUAL MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT    2015 ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS

   
  

 

How to View Online:

   
  

 

Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow LOGO (located on the following page) and visit: www.proxyvote.com.

   
  

 

How to Request and Receive a PAPER or E-MAIL Copy:

   
  

 

If you want to receive a paper or e-mail copy of these documents, you must request one. There is NO charge for requesting a copy. Please choose one of the following methods to make your request:

   
  

 

1) BY INTERNET:

  www.proxyvote.com    
  

 

2) BY TELEPHONE:

  1-800-579-1639    
  

 

3) BY E-MAIL*:

 

 

sendmaterial@proxyvote.com

   
  

 

*   If requesting materials by e-mail, please send a blank e-mail with the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow LOGO (located on the following page) in the subject line.

   
  

 

Requests, instructions and other inquiries sent to this e-mail address will NOT be forwarded to your investment advisor. Please make the request as instructed above on or before April 20, 2016 to facilitate timely delivery.

 

   
  

 

— How To Vote —

Please Choose One of the Following Voting Methods

 

 
        

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   Vote In Person: Please review the proxy materials for directions to the annual meeting and information on what you will need to bring with you to gain access to the meeting. You must have a government-issued photo identification and an admission ticket to be admitted. THIS NOTICE WILL SERVE AS AN ADMISSION TICKET. At the meeting, you will need to request a ballot to vote these shares.    
  

 

Vote By Internet: To vote now by Internet, go to www.proxyvote.com. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow LOGO (located on the following page) available and follow the instructions.

 

Vote By Mail: You can vote by mail by requesting a paper copy of the materials, which will include a proxy card.

 

   
    


             Voting Items                    

The Proposals to be voted on at our Annual Meeting are listed below along with the Board of Directors’ recommendations.

 

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR each of the following nominees:

  

 

1.    Election of Directors   
   NOMINEES:   
   01)    P. M. Arway   07)    J. M. Mead   
   02)    J. P. Bilbrey   08)    J. E. Nevels   
   03)     R. F. Cavanaugh             09)    

A. J. Palmer

  
   04)    C. A. Davis  

10)

  

T. J. Ridge

  
   05)    M. K. Haben   11)    D. L. Shedlarz   
   06)    R. M. Malcolm        
The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR Proposals 2, 3 and 4:
2.    Ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as independent auditors for 2016.
3.    Approve named executive officer compensation on a non-binding advisory basis.
4.    Re-approve the material terms of the performance criteria under The Hershey Company Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan.
The Board of Directors recommends you vote AGAINST Proposal 5:
5.    Stockholder proposal entitled “Report on Use of Nanomaterials.”

    

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             Voting Items                    

The Proposals to be voted on at our Annual Meeting are listed below along with the Board of Directors’ recommendations.

 

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR each of the following nominees:

  

 

1.    Election of Directors   
   NOMINEES:   
   01)    P. M. Arway   06)    J. M. Mead   
   02)    J. P. Bilbrey   07)    J. E. Nevels   
   03)     R. F. Cavanaugh             08)    

T. J. Ridge

  
   04)    C. A. Davis  

09)

  

D. L. Shedlarz

  
   05)    M. K. Haben        
The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR Proposals 2, 3 and 4:
2.    Ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as independent auditors for 2016.
3.    Approve named executive officer compensation on a non-binding advisory basis.
4.    Re-approve the material terms of the performance criteria under The Hershey Company Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan.
The Board of Directors recommends you vote AGAINST Proposal 5:
5.    Stockholder proposal entitled “Report on Use of Nanomaterials.”

    

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