M&M’s is expanding its current team with the introduction of a new character for the first time in a decade.
The US-based Mars company has launched ‘Purple’ – the first-ever female peanut M&M spokesperson, which has been designed to represent acceptance and inclusiveness and is ‘quirky, confident and authentic’.
More than 10 million fans voted to add the color to the current candy rainbow in May, beating aqua and pink.
Purple’s arrival was announced with “I’m Just Gonna Be Me”, a new promotional song and music video, which was released on Tuesday.
The US-based Mars company has launched ‘Purple’ – the first-ever female peanut M&M spokesperson, which was designed to represent acceptance and inclusivity
More than 10million fans voted to add the color to the confectionery’s current rainbow (pictured) in May, beating aqua and pink
Jane Hwang, Global Vice President of Mars Wrigley, said: “There’s 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 what makes us unique.”
Purple joins the legendary cast of M&M’S characters, who were refreshed with updated looks and more nuanced personalities in January.
According to cnet.com, purple M&Ms were standard when the product debuted in the United States in 1941, but were replaced by beige in 1949.
In 1995, fans voted to swap the beige buttons for blue M&Ms, and since then Mars has changed the colors of its flagship candy several times over the years.
This week Purple has joined the M&M’s range of Red, Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue and Brown.
In the past, the Green M&M was presented as an attractive, sassy, boot-wearing woman, but Purple will be the first Peanut M&M to present itself as a confident woman.
Purple’s arrival was announced with “I’m Just Gonna Be Me”, a new promotional song and music video, released on Tuesday.
The video showcases the exceptional talents of saxophonist Grace Kelly, dancers and choreographers Devin Santiago (right) and Colo Cag (left) and famed opera singer Anthony Roth Costanzo.
Purple’s arrival was announced with “I’m Just Gonna Be Me”, with the video featuring the exceptional talents of saxophonist Grace Kelly, dancers and choreographers Devin Santiago and Colo Cag, and the famous singer of opera Anthony Roth Costanzo.
The entire M&M team also makes special appearances, including red, yellow, orange, brown, blue, and green.
For every broadcast of “I’m Just Gonna Be Me,” M&M has pledged to donate $1 to the music association Sing for Hope, up to $500,000.
Purple joins the legendary cast of M&M’S characters, who were refreshed with updated looks and more nuanced personalities in January
For every broadcast of ‘I’m Just Gonna Be Me,’ M&M has pledged to donate $1 to the music association Sing for Hope, up to $500,000
Earlier this year, the candy company announced a partnership with rapper Lil Nas X, featuring an M&M’s “Long Live Montero” bag featuring candy bearing butterflies, the rapper’s face, and pink, blue, and purple hearts.
It is at the beginning of 2022 that the American confectionery brand is gradually revamping its M&M’s characters.
The changes were to give the characters a more modern look and emphasize their personalities. The biggest changes seemed to be the two female M&Ms, greens and browns.
According to cnet.com, purple M&M’s were standard when the product debuted in the United States in 1941, but were replaced by tan in 1949.
Mars, the candy maker, had been criticized in the past for making green M&Ms too sexy, and pushing for either a rivalry or possible flirtation with brown M&Ms.
The green M&M later shed its heeled boots in favor of sneakers, and the brown M&M’s heels were lowered to what a Mars spokesperson called a “professional size”.
Earlier this year, Mars said she wanted the green M&M to be “better represented to reflect confidence and empowerment, as a strong woman known for more than her boots.”
Mars also dubbed the anxious orange M&M, which the company says is “one of the closest characters to Gen-Z, the most anxious generation.”
The new “progressive” M&Ms after Mars announced a name change and redesign effort that the company says will adapt them to a “more dynamic and progressive world”.
BEFORE: The original M&M characters. Mars, the candy maker, had been criticized in the past for making green M&Ms too sexy, and pushing for either a rivalry or possible flirtation with brown M&Ms.
The orange M&M previously wore his shoes untied, but has now tied them in a bid to represent his cautious nature, according to Mars.
The red M&M—voiced by cartoon icon Billy West in commercials and often transitioning from leader to bully towards other M&Ms—has been adjusted to be kinder to fellow M&Ms.
The classically silly yellow M&M seems to stay that way. He was once quoted as saying that the first thing he would do if today was his last day is “wake up”.
Mars made these changes to show the importance of “self-expression and the power of community.”
