M&M’s beloved candy characters have debuted a new look, but some fans of the confectionery brand are not yet ready to let go of the mascots’ classic appearance.
Mars, Incorporated ― M&M’s parent company ― announced on Thursday that it has given the anthropomorphized candy characters a “fresh, modern” look and “more nuanced personalities to underscore the importance of self-expression and power of community through storytelling.”
The M&M characters now have arms and legs that match their shell colors, instead of the tan flesh tone they previously had. The two female characters, the brown and green M&Ms, now have less stereotypically feminine looks. The heels of the brown M&M have been lowered to sensible pumps, while the green M&M now sports a pair of “cool, laid-back sneakers to reflect her effortless confidence.”
Both wearing subtler makeup without dramatic lashes, the brown and green M&Ms now have a friendly relationship, a far departure from their catty behavior towards one another in previous M&M’s ads. As the brand puts it, they are now “together throwing shine and not shade.”
The red M&M, meanwhile, is now less bossy and much nicer to the rest of the gang. The orange M&M, on the other hand, now acknowledges his anxiety, embracing his “true self, worries, and all.”
Mars is also getting rid of the prefixes “Ms.” and “Mr.” to make the names of the M&Ms less gendered. The brand said that foregoing the prefixes will bring the people’s focus on the M&M’s “personalities, rather than their gender.”
Though the new look and updated personalities of the M&M characters are part of the brand’s “global commitment to creating a world where everyone feels they belong and society is inclusive,” some fans still prefer the classic appearance and original backstories of the M&Ms.
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For instance, Twitter user @mariebardi wants the candy brand to keep the original version of green M&M. “I am a single issue voter and my issue: KEEP THE GREEN M&M A HOT SEXY LADY,” she tweeted.
Twitter user @paradoomer, meanwhile, takes an issue with the green M&M’s new shoes, tweeting, “100% here for a sneakerhead m&m we are an oppressed community that deserves representation.”
Additionally, MEL Magazine writer Magdalene J. Taylor is calling for the return of the previous M&Ms, tweeting, “re-yassify the M&Ms immediately.”
Though a number of people find the changes unnecessary, M&M’s is serious about using the power of fun to create a more inclusive society.
“M&M’s has long been committed to creating colorful fun for all, and this purpose serves as a more concrete commitment to what we’ve always believed as a brand: that everyone has the right to enjoy moments of happiness, and fun is the most powerful way to help people feel that they belong,” said Cathryn Sleight, Chief Growth Officer at Mars Wrigley, in a press release. “As one of the world’s most iconic candy brands, who better to commit to a world with more moments of fun by increasing a sense of belonging around the globe than M&M’s?”
In addition to the M&M characters’ makeover, the brand also created M&M’s FUNd to help achieve its worldwide mission to increase a sense of belonging for 10 million people by 2025. Through the M&M’s FUNd, the brand will offer resources, mentorship, opportunities, and financial support in the arts and entertainment space to help ensure people have access to experiences where everyone feels they belong.