Have you heard the news about the updated M&M’s characters? What if we told you that wasn’t the strangest marketing campaign we saw this week? Catch up on all the details of this wacky marketing world in our Weekly Must Reads.

M&M’s New Modern Mascots

Last week, M&M’s debuted a refreshed look for its iconic candy characters in an effort to be “more representative of the dynamic and progressive world we live in,” according to parent company Mars. The brand has removed prefixes from the characters’ names, emphasized their different shapes, and plans to showcase each character getting more in touch with their emotions. For example, the cautious Orange M&M will embrace his anxieties, while the stereotypically feminine Green M&M will try to convey confidence rather than sex appeal.

M&M’s plans to promote its modern mascots through campaigns on social media, in-store displays, and television ads, though the brand is passing on a Super Bowl spot this year. Check out the characters’ new looks and learn more here: https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/mms-updates-mascots-to-represent-a-more-dynamic-and-progressive-world/?itm_source=parsely-api

Marriott Turns to TikTok

As travel content rises in popularity on TikTok, Marriott has created a contest to find its new official “travel correspondents.” The brand will choose up to three creators to travel across the world to 30 different Marriott properties this year while documenting their experiences on TikTok along the way. To enter, TikTok users must post a video by March 18 how travel has shaped their life and why they should be Marriott’s travel correspondent.

Marriott’s new promotion aims to promote Bonvoy, their loyalty program and travel platform, while also strategically encouraging user-generated content on the most-visited social media platform. Read more about the campaign here: https://www.marketingdive.com/news/marriott-seeks-tiktok-creators-to-drive-content-around-loyalty-program/617260/

Oscar Mayer: The New Self-Care Brand

Bologna skin mask, anyone? In a parody of the popular self-care trend, Oscar Mayer launched bologna-lookalike face masks on Amazon. To the brand’s surprise, consumers flocked to the item, and it sold out within 24 hours. Oscar Mayer pledged to restock the face masks in the coming days, and also reminded customers that the product is not actually edible, but rather a hydrating skin mask developed with Seoul Mamas skin care company.

Oscar Meyer’s new, popular product is quite on-brand for a company that may be best known for driving a hot dog-shaped van across the country. The face masks also pay tribute to the time-honored childhood tradition of biting eye and nose holes out of bologna slices before placing it on your face. Find out more about the brand’s fast-selling spoof here: https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/20/business/bologna-mask-oscar-mayer-sold-out/index.html

Pepsi’s Half Time Show Trailer

To hype up this year’s star-studded halftime show, Pepsi-Cola recently debuted a movie trailer-esque video that features each artist as they prepare for their performances. The ad includes legendary hip-hop stars Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick and Dr. Dre, who will all join forces at the at halftime during Super Bowl LVI on February 13. Pepsi plans to exclusively promote the show through digital marketing and TV ads before the Super Bowl, forgoing a traditional commercial during the game to focus their energy on the halftime performance.

After Super Bowl LVI, Pepsi’s future with the half time show will be up in the air. The brand’s ten-year contract concludes this year, and the NFL reportedly plans to put the sponsorship rights up for bidding. Watch Pepsi’s biggest (and potentially last) half time show ad here: https://adage.com/article/special-report-super-bowl/pepsi-hypes-super-bowl-halftime-show-dr-dre-snoop-dogg/2394201