M&M’s expands its current crew with the introduction of a new character for the first time in a decade.
The Mars, US-based company has introduced “Purple” – the first-ever female peanut M&M spokescandy designed to represent acceptance and inclusivity and is “quirky, confident and authentic”.
More than 10 million fans voted in May to add the color to the pastry shop’s current rainbow, beating out aqua and pink.
Purple’s arrival was announced with “I’m Just Gonna Be Me,” a new promotional song and music video released Tuesday.
The Mars, US-based company has introduced “Purple” – the first-ever female peanut M&M spokescandy designed to represent acceptance and inclusivity
More than 10 million fans voted in May to add the color that tops aqua and pink to the current confectionery rainbow (pictured).
Jane Hwang, Global VP at Mars Wrigley said, “There is so much about our new spokesperson that people can relate to and appreciate, including her willingness to embrace her true self – our new character reminds us to celebrate that , which makes us unique.”
Purple joins the legendary cast of M&M’S characters who were refreshed in January with updated looks and more nuanced personalities.
According to cnet.com, purple M&Ms were standard when the product debuted in the US in 1941, but were replaced by tan ones in 1949.
In 1995, fans voted to swap out the beige buttons for blue M&Ms, and since then, Mars has changed the colors of its flagship candies several times over the years.
This week, Purple joins the M&M range of red, yellow, orange, green, blue and brown.
In the past, the Green M&M has been presented as a flirtatious, sassy woman with boots, but Purple will be the first peanut M&M to emerge as a confident woman.
Purple’s arrival was announced with “I’m Just Gonna Be Me,” a new promotional song and music video released Tuesday
The video showcases the extraordinary talents of saxophonist Grace Kelly, dance and choreographers Devin Santiago (right) and Colo Cag (left), and acclaimed opera singer Anthony Roth Costanzo
Purple’s arrival was announced with “I’m Just Gonna Be Me”, with the video showcasing the extraordinary talents of saxophonist Grace Kelly, dance and choreographers Devin Santiago and Colo Cag, and acclaimed opera singer Anthony Roth Costanzo.
The entire M&M crew also has special appearances including Red, Yellow, Orange, Brown, Blue and Green.
For every stream of “I’m Just Gonna Be Me,” M&M has pledged to donate $1 to nonprofit music organization Sing for Hope, up to $500,000.
Purple joins the legendary cast of M&M’S characters who were refreshed in January with updated looks and more nuanced personalities
For every stream of “I’m Just Gonna Be Me,” M&M has pledged to donate $1 to nonprofit music organization Sing for Hope, up to $500,000
Earlier this year, the candy company announced a partnership with rapper Lil Nas X, including a Long Live Montero M&M bag of candies featuring butterflies, the rapper’s face, and pink, blue, and purple hearts.
In early 2022, the US candy brand gave its M&M’s characters a progressive makeover.
The changes should give the characters a more modern look and emphasize their personality. The biggest changes seemed to be the two female M&Ms, the green one and the brown one.
According to cnet.com, purple M&Ms were standard when the product debuted in the US in 1941, but were replaced by tan ones in 1949
Mars, the maker of the candies, has been criticized in the past for making the green M&M too sexy and encouraging either a rivalry or possible flirtation with the brown M&M.
Green M&M then ditched its stiletto boots in favor of sneakers, and the brown M&M heels were lowered to what a Mars spokesman described as “professional size.”
Earlier this year, Mars said green M&M “should be better represented to reflect confidence and empowerment, as a strong woman known for much more than her boots.”
Mars also doubled down on the anxious orange M&M, who the company believes is “one of the most relatable characters with Gen-Z, the most anxious generation.”
The new “progressive” M&Ms, after Mars announced a rebrand and redesign, will fit into a “more dynamic, progressive world,” according to the company.
BEFORE: The original M&M characters. Mars, the maker of the candies, has been criticized in the past for making the green M&M too sexy and encouraging either a rivalry or possible flirtation with the brown M&M
The orange M&M used to wear his shoes open but has now tied them to reflect his cautious demeanor, according to Mars.
The red M&M – voiced by cartoon icon Billy West in commercials and often alternating between leader and bully compared to the other M&Ms – has been adjusted to be friendlier to its fellow characters.
The yellow M&M, classically idiotic, seems to stay that way. He was once quoted as saying that if today were his last day, the first thing he would do was “wake up.”
Mars made these changes to show the importance of “self-expression and the power of community.”