The talking M&M’s are going away. It has just been announced that the “spokescandies” that have appeared in advertisements for the candy-coated chocolate snack have been placed on an “indefinite pause.” Replacing them will be comedy favorite Maya Rudolph, and she’ll be launching a new ad campaign starting with a Super Bowl commercial set to air during the big game on Sunday, Feb. 12. Rudolph has since addressed how it feels to get the job as the new spokesperson for M&M’s.
“I’m thrilled to be working with M&M’s,” the Disenchanted star told Today. “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. It’s a very fun pairing, if I do say so myself. I think little Maya would be thrilled to get to work with M&M’s.”
Shelving the spokescandies for a human spokesperson comes after recent criticism leveled against the company after giving the walking, talking M&M’s a makeover. Last year, it was announced that the red, yellow, blue, brown, green, and orange spokescandies would be given a “fresh, modern take” to their design. The changes were a bit subtle, though the most noticeable difference seemed to be switching out the green M&M’s signature go-go boots for a pair of “cool, laid-back sneakers to reflect her effortless confidence.” Online criticism and endless memes would soon follow, and that wasn’t exactly the reaction the company was hoping for.
The Spokescandies Are Going Away
Mars
A separate press release shared by M&M’s on Instagram further addresses the change. The controversy is cited as the reason for the switch to Rudolph, noting that what they wanted was to bring people together. Their new hope is that Rudolph will be someone who everyone can enjoy with her role as the M&M’s spokesperson, taking the focus away from any online controversy.
“America, let’s talk,” the statement reads. “In the last year, we’ve made some changes to our beloved spokescandies. We weren’t sure if anyone would even notice. And we definitely didn’t think it would break the internet. But now we get it - even a candy’s shoes can be polarizing. Which was the last thing M&M’s wanted since we’re all about bringing people together.”
The company continues, “Therefore, we have decided to take an indefinite pause from the spokescandies. In their place, we are proud to introduce a spokesperson American can agree on: the beloved Maya Rudolph. We are confident Ms. Rudolph will champion the power of fun to create a world where everyone feels they belong.”
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by M&M’S (@mmschocolate)
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by M&M’S (@mmschocolate)
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
