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M&M’s recently announced its new “spokecandies” where the candy packaging only featured female characters. While the package makeover was pleasantly released by Mars, criticisms poured in for the change and what it represents.
Following the backlash, Mars announced earlier this week that it would be taking down its M&M spokecandies and stated it has decided to get Maya Rudolph as a replacement. She will now be the one to star in the candy maker’s Super Bowl LVII commercial ad.
The actress-comedian’s appearance in the M&M ad was confirmed by Mar’s chief marketing officer, Gabrielle Wesley. This will be her very first stint as the candy maker’s spokesperson and “Chief of Fun.”
According to CNBC, the CMO also said that currently, the original cast of M&M’s spokescandies are “pursuing other personal passions.” She added that the company would make an announcement in the coming weeks to share what they are exactly up to before, during and after the Super Bowl LVII. Fans of the characters can wait for the update via the company’s social media accounts and official website.
The original spokescandies are composed of M&M’s colorful candy mascots that have been representing the brand in various ad channels for more than 60 years. They appeared in TV commercials and different marketing materials for a long time; thus, many have come to love the characters.
“In the last year, we have made some changes to our beloved spokescandies but we were not sure if anyone would even notice and we definitely did not think it would break the internet,” M&M’s stated via Twitter post. “But now we get it — even a candy’s shoes can be polarizing. Therefore, we have decided to take an indefinite pause on the spokescandies.”
Meanwhile, in an interview with Today, Maya Rudolph said she felt honored to be M&M’s new spokesperson. “I am thrilled to be working with M&M’s. I am a lifelong lover of the candy and I feel like it’s such an honor to be asked to be part of such a legendary brand’s campaign.”
