Wednesday, May 19, 2004

America’s favorite candy becomes ogre-sized

Once summer arrives, the kids will be home looking for something to do to keep busy. A great way to pass the time is to take in a movie, and one worth checking out this summer is the long anticipated sequel to DreamWorks’ “Shrek.”

“Shrek 2,” released at the end of May 2004, 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 will be accompanied by the appearance of candy tins, plush toys, bobble-head characters and other candy dispensers in stores everywhere. You’ll also be able to find Shrek themed party decorations and favors by Galerie, a company that specializes in gifting ideas for consumers; and you’ll also soon be seeing a brand new phenomenon with direct links to the movie.

To promote the release of “Shrek 2” for the first time in its 63-year history, M&M’S are changing shape. “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 summer fun.

You’ll be able to find them anywhere M&M’s are sold, including theaters across the country.

As part of a special promotion to go along with the opening of the film, from May 10-28, consumers can log on to www.mms.com to enter the “Ogre-Sized Load” contest. The person who comes closest to guessing how many ogre-sized M&M’S will fit in the Grand Canyon will receive an all-expense paid 3-day, 2-night trip for four to see the canyon. The prize will be awarded at the M&M’S World store in Las Vegas, where Shrek will be on hand to congratulate the winner.

— ARA Content