US Bans Canadian Alcohol, Motorcycles as Trade War Escalates 
Global Central Banks Brace for More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise 
Asian Currencies Steady as Yen Holds Firm, Oil Tops $100 
OpenAI Weighs AI Development Slowdown Over Safety Risks 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge Fuels Rate Hike Fears 
Oil Prices Hold Near Highs as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates 
Blackstone Eyes $2 Billion ZO Skin Health Sale 
UK Economy Grows 0.4% in July, Beating Forecasts 
Qualcomm Stock Jumps on Amazon AI Chip Deal 
Australia Plans New Rules Giving Users Control Over Social Media Feeds 
Asian Currencies Subdued as Yen Weakens Ahead of Fed, BOJ Decisions 
Fitch Eyes Japan Budget for Fiscal Discipline 
Apple Unveils $1,999 Foldable iPhone Duo 
Asian Stocks Fall as Oil Tops $100, Yields Rise 
Treasury Buyback Fails to Cool Long-Term Yields 
OpenAI Agents Linked to RubyGems Cyberattack 
BOJ Set to Raise Rates to 1.25% as Inflation Risks Build 
Add as a preferred source on Google
M&M’s recently announced its new “spokecandies” where the candy packaging only featured female characters. While the package makeover was pleasantly released by Mars, criticisms poured in for the change and what it represents.
Following the backlash, Mars announced earlier this week that it would be taking down its M&M spokecandies and stated it has decided to get Maya Rudolph as a replacement. She will now be the one to star in the candy maker’s Super Bowl LVII commercial ad.
The actress-comedian’s appearance in the M&M ad was confirmed by Mar’s chief marketing officer, Gabrielle Wesley. This will be her very first stint as the candy maker’s spokesperson and “Chief of Fun.”
According to CNBC, the CMO also said that currently, the original cast of M&M’s spokescandies are “pursuing other personal passions.” She added that the company would make an announcement in the coming weeks to share what they are exactly up to before, during and after the Super Bowl LVII. Fans of the characters can wait for the update via the company’s social media accounts and official website.
The original spokescandies are composed of M&M’s colorful candy mascots that have been representing the brand in various ad channels for more than 60 years. They appeared in TV commercials and different marketing materials for a long time; thus, many have come to love the characters.
“In the last year, we have made some changes to our beloved spokescandies but we were not sure if anyone would even notice and we definitely did not think it would break the internet,” M&M’s stated via Twitter post. “But now we get it — even a candy’s shoes can be polarizing. Therefore, we have decided to take an indefinite pause on the spokescandies.”
Meanwhile, in an interview with Today, Maya Rudolph said she felt honored to be M&M’s new spokesperson. “I am thrilled to be working with M&M’s. 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.”
