Marshmallow Peeps -- those little yellow marshmallows shaped like chicks -- are as much a rite of Spring as the Easter bunny and pastel-colored eggs. In fact, Marshmallow Peeps have been the top selling non-chocolate Easter candy brand for the last decade -- even outselling jellybeans. In addition to the yellow chicks, today's Peeps are "Always in Season" and come in all sorts of colors and shapes for holidays throughout the year.
In honor of its 50th Anniversary, Just Born -- the company that manufactures Marshmallow Peeps -- is hatching new plans for the candy, including:
- A new advertising campaign
- The launch of two Peeps Fun Buses touring the country, which will promote craft ideas using Peeps at schools and retail outlets across the country
- A float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and an oversized inflated Peep atop Macy's marquee during Easter week in New York City
- Introduction of a new website and the Peeps Points Program, where consumers can save up points to redeem one-of-a-kind Peeps merchandise at marshmallowpeeps.com
- The introduction of new Marshmallow Peeps Orange Creme Eggs and limited edition Peeps Chicks throughout the year
- Sponsors of the Marshmallow Peeps Easter Basket Contest -- consumers can vote for their favorite basket at the website
A lot has changed since Marshmallow Peeps were first introduced in 1953. Back then, the Peeps were squeezed out of a pastry tube one at a time and the eyes were painted on by hand -- taking a total of 27 hours to create one Peep. Today, technology can make one Peep in six minutes.
Last Easter, more than 700 million Marshmallow Peeps were consumed worldwide. Just Born produces more than 1.2 billion Peeps a year.
Last Easter, more than 700 million Marshmallow Peeps were consumed worldwide. Just Born produces more than 1.2 billion Peeps a year.
