M&M’s Takes an Indefinite Pause from its Cartoon Spokescandies After Recent Changes Spark Controversy

M&M’s announced on Monday that it will be taking an indefinite pause from its cartoon “spokescandies” that have been used in ads since the mid-1990s. The candy company had recently revamped the spokescandies to create a more inclusive world.

The brand said that the changes were so polarizing that they decided to take a step back from the spokescandies. This decision was apparently in response to criticism from conservatives like Tucker Carlson. Some of the changes included swapping out the Green M&M’s go-go boots with “cool, laid-back sneakers” and launching a special bag featuring its new Purple character in honor of International Women’s Day.

M&M’s said in a statement Monday, “We are confident Ms. Rudolph will champion the power of fun to create a world where everyone feels they belong. Even a candy’s shoes can be polarizing, so we have decided to take an indefinite pause from the spokescandies.”

The brand added that it is still committed to creating a world where everyone feels they belong and that it will continue to use its platform to spread messages of inclusion.

The decision to take a pause from the spokescandies has been met with mixed reactions. While some have praised the brand for taking a stand, others have criticized it for giving in to the criticism. It remains to be seen how long the pause will last and what changes, if any, will be made to the spokescandies in the future.