Style4Home - America's Favorite Candy Becomes Ogre-Sized

(ARA) - For the first time in their 63-year history, M&M's are changing shape. The classic candy took on a new form to promote the release this summer of the long anticipated sequel to DreamWorks’ “Shrek.”

“Shrek 2,” released last summer, picks up where the first movie ended. Shrek and Princess Fiona return from their honeymoon to find an invitation to visit Fiona’s parents, the King and Queen of the Kingdom of Far, Far Away. With Donkey along for the ride, the newlyweds set off.

All of the citizens of Far, Far Away turn out to greet their returning Princess, and her parents happily anticipate the homecoming of their daughter and her new Prince. But no one could have prepared them for the sight of their new son-in-law, not to mention how much their little girl had -- well -- changed.

Like the first time around, the release of this Shrek film is accompanied by the appearance of candy tins, plush toys, bobble-head characters and other candy dispensers in stores everywhere. You can also find Shrek themed party decorations and favors by Galerie, a company that specializes in gifting ideas for consumers; and there's a brand new phenomenon with direct links to the movie showing up.

In conjunction with the release of “Shrek 2,” M&M’S have a new shape and size. “We wanted to create a chocolate taste fit for an ogre and his Princess,” notes Janis Smith-Gomez, vice president of marketing for M&M’S. “Nothing says big chocolate taste like ogre sized M&M’S.”

The specially packaged M&M’S are 50 percent bigger in size than regular M&M’S, and come in colors that belong in Shrek’s favorite haunt, “Swampy.” As you’d expect, the “Swampy” colors are brown, dark red, tan, beige and Shrek green. Both the Milk Chocolate and Peanut varieties are ogre-sized and in the swampy colors. The perfect combination for Halloween fun.

You can find them anywhere M&M’s are sold, including theaters across the country.

Courtesy of ARA Content