MMs Logo PNG
The modern logo of M&M, the most famous candy brand, reflects the founders’ names and the nature of the material used in production. The simplicity and straightforwardness of today’s emblem have guaranteed the product’s ideal beauty and recognizability.
M&M’s: Brand overview
M&M is a well-known brand of chocolate candies produced by Mars. The brand is famous for its fun advertising campaigns and colorful candies, available in two varieties: with and without peanuts.
M&M’s started during the Spanish Civil War when Forrest Mars Sr. saw soldiers eating chocolate that didn’t melt easily. In 1941, he teamed up with Bruce Murrie from Hershey’s to create a unique chocolate candy that stayed solid in your hand. They named it M&M’s, after their last names.
By 1954, M&M was getting even better. It introduced peanuts into its chocolates and came up with the catchy slogan “Melts in your mouth, not in your hands.” This made it even more loved by chocolate fans everywhere.
In the 1960s, M&M’s reached new heights by becoming the first candy to go to space with NASA, giving astronauts a little taste of home. However, there was a hiccup in 1976 when red M&M’s were pulled off the shelves due to concerns about a certain dye, but they made a comeback in 1987, bringing back the full range of colors.
Over the years, M&M kept things exciting by adding new flavors like peanut butter and crispy, and even mini versions of the candies. In 1995, they went digital by launching their website, becoming one of the first candy brands to do so.
The brand came to life with its colorful characters, such as Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, and Orange, making it even more memorable.
The 2010s were all about innovation, with new flavors like Pretzel M&M’s and collaborations with other big brands. Moving into the 2020s, M&M’s celebrated 80 years by introducing options with less sugar and even vegan choices, keeping up with what people want.
The story of M&M’s, from a smart idea in wartime to a beloved worldwide brand, shows the importance of constantly innovating and adapting. For nearly 80 years, M&M’s has been evolving, bringing new flavors and joy to people across generations. It’s not just a candy; it’s a symbol of creativity and the joy of sharing sweet moments.
Meaning and History
The packaging was introduced in 1941. The M&M logo has always consisted of a wordmark without any additional symbols. The only difference has always been the font used and the color palette.
What is M & M’s?
M&M’s is a brand of multicolored round candies in a hard shell with a white letter “m” on them. It belongs to the American company Mars, and its name stands for Mars & Murrie’s. The first pills of this brand appeared in 1941. They were purchased by the U.S. Army so that soldiers could carry chocolate that does not melt in hot climates.
1941 – 1954
The first M&M logo was characterized by lowercase letters, a traditional serif font slightly narrower, and elongated height. The letter “S” was smaller than the letter “M”. The color palette of the original M&M logo was monochromatic.
1954 – 1971
The inscription was changed. The logo now used a hand-drawn uneven-style font, yellow on a black background. This was the brightest M&M logo in the brand’s history.
1971 – 1988
In 1971, the logo changed its color scheme from yellow to brown, and the letters acquired a slightly different font. This version of the corporate-style visual design remained with the company for 17 years.
1988 – 2001
The M&M logo’s main colors are now dark brown and chocolate. The inscription has cleaner and bolder lines. This simple but powerful logo will stay with the brand for 13 years.
2001 – 2004
The 2001 redesign brought the M&M logo a new, brighter shade of brown. It now also has a white-brown outline that gives the logo volume.
2004 – 2018
In 2004, the M&M logo was placed diagonally on the packaging and became brown with a black shadow, adding dynamism and giving it a modern look. The letters are placed on a white background that repeats the contour of the emblem.
2019 – 2022
The 2019 redesign returns the M&M logo to a flat two-dimensional form, again making dark brown the main color in the brand’s palette. The letters are still placed diagonally but now look more minimalist and straightforward. However, in this case, simplicity is the key to beauty. The ampersand visually appears to be positioned above the letters and has a white outline.
2022 – today
In 2022, M&M’s underwent rebranding with a signature logo. This involved the American corporation Mars, which owns the chocolate dragees brand. The leaders hired the creative agency Jones Knowles Ritchie to make the design more recognizable, staying within the global concept.
As a result, the “M&M’s” inscription was aligned horizontally. This is the only change in the emblem, apart from the disappearance of the letter “R” in a circle (the registered trademark used to be above the letter “s”). The change in orientation in space emphasized the ampersand, symbolizing unity and linking the names of the two founders of the company: Mars and Murrie. Now, it represents the brand’s focus on uniting people.
The brand name is not displayed diagonally, but this does not prevent the logo from being dynamic. Structurally, it resembles the versions of 1986 and 1991, but now the ampersand is brought to the forefront and outlined in white, partially overlapping the two Ms. The brown letters have become lighter because the designers made the inscription more optimistic without using extraneous colors.
M&M’s: Interesting Facts
M&M’s are small, colorful chocolates people have loved since they were first made.
- How They Started: M&M’s was created in 1941 by Forrest Mars and Bruce Murrie. They wanted to make chocolates that soldiers could take without melting everywhere. That’s why they’re called M&M’s – it stands for Mars and Murrie.
- For Soldiers First: At the beginning, only soldiers could buy M&M’s. This was because the candies didn’t melt easily, making them great for sending troops overseas during World War II.
- Peanut M&M’s: In 1954, M&M’s with peanuts inside were introduced. At first, they were all tan, but more colors were added later.
- Changing Colors: The first M&Ms were red, yellow, green, brown, and violet. Over time, the colors changed. Red M&Ms went away in 1976 because people were worried about a certain dye, but they returned. Blue M&Ms were added in 1995 after people voted for them.
- M&M’s Characters: M&M’s ads feature characters like Red, Yellow, Green, and others. Each one has its personality, making the ads fun.
- Around the World: Today, you can find M&M’s in over 100 countries. They’re made in the U.S., Brazil, and the U.K.
- So Many Flavors: In addition to the original and peanut flavors, there are now many others, like pretzel, almond, and caramel. They even make special flavors for different times of the year.
- M&M’s in Space: Astronauts have taken M&M’s to space as a tasty snack. This started in the 1980s with the space shuttle Columbia.
- Special Editions: There are special M&M’s for weddings and holidays. You can even order M&M’s with your messages or pictures on them.
- Famous Slogan: The slogan “Melts in your mouth, not in your hands” has existed since 1954. It’s one of the best-known slogans and helps people remember M&M’s.
M&Ms are more than just candies. They have a cool history, come in many colors and flavors, and have been featured in fun ads. People all over the world enjoy them, whether they’re at home, at parties, or even in space!
Font and Colors
The letter “M” on the candies and the M&M’s wordmark have the same wide rectangular serifs. Moreover, all “M” s look lowercase, although they are uppercase. In this case, it is not a full-fledged font but a unique set of glyphs. Although the candy manufacturer recently introduced its corporate font, it is not used in the logo. This eclectic emblem was created in 2022 by Jones Knowles Ritchie. The emblem’s design has not changed significantly over the past few years. Both “M” s are similar to glyphs from the Aachen SB-Medium font. As for “s,” the ampersand resembles the corresponding ITC Lubalin Graph Demi symbols.
All elements are brown, although M&M’s is considered the most colorful chocolate brand. The color of the inscription is associated with cocoa beans, from which the candies are made because, under the bright glaze coating, all dragees are the same – brown. Wide white lines are used as contours.
FAQ
What do the M’s in M&M’s stand for?
M&M’s candy has an interesting origin story. Forrest E. Mars Sr. and Bruce Murrie created it. Forrest Mars was the man behind the Mars company, and Bruce Murrie was the son of Hershey Chocolate’s president. Their partnership made M&M’s possible.
However, creating this candy was challenging, especially since chocolate was scarce during the war. This is where Bruce Murrie helped. His connection to Hershey’s, which had a steady chocolate supply, was crucial. Forrest had the innovative idea, and Bruce provided the necessary chocolate.
They named their creation M&M’s, after their last names. The partnership was beneficial for both. This arrangement allowed them to produce a lot of M&M’s. The combination of Mars’s innovative ideas and Murrie’s chocolate supply made M&M’s extremely popular.
What does each M&M character represent?
The M&M’s characters bring more than color; they symbolize various flavors and personalities, making the brand more lively. Let’s take a closer look at what each character represents:
- Green is associated with dark chocolate, mint, and peanut butter flavors. She is depicted as bold and somewhat flirty, which matches the sophisticated taste of these varieties. Green M&M highlights the unique appeal of chocolate and mint as an intriguing treat.
- Orange stands for Crispy M&Ms and Pretzel M&Ms, known for their crunchy and salty-sweet taste. He is portrayed as the nervous type, a perfect match for the thrilling texture of these snacks—Orange M&M appeals to those seeking an unusual snack experience, blending textures in each mouthful.
- Ms. Brown, known as the “Chief Chocolate Officer,” focuses on dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and fudge brownie flavors. She’s portrayed as intelligent and astute, embodying the classic and rich flavors of M&M’s with sophistication.
- Purple, the latest addition to the group, offers a mix of peanut, caramel, cold brew, vegan, and hazelnut spread flavors. Purple M&M celebrates diversity in taste, from sweet and nutty to trendy options, including vegan selections for a wider variety.
Each character does more than represent a flavor; they add a unique story and personality to M&M’s. This approach makes the brand not only about enjoying chocolate but also about creating a fun and memorable experience. Through these characters, M&M’s invites people into a world of joy, where they can discover their preferred flavor and character to connect with.
What are the disadvantages of M&Ms?
Loving M&Ms is simple, and they taste great as snacks. However, it’s important to eat them in moderation because of the sugar and calories they contain and the artificial colors they’re made with. Let’s break it down:
Dental Health: Eating too many M&Ms can harm your teeth. The sugar in M&Ms feeds the bacteria in your mouth, which can cause cavities and tooth decay. Reducing your sugar intake is a good idea to keep your teeth healthy.
Health Risks: Regularly eating sugary snacks like M&Ms can lead to health issues such as diabetes and high blood pressure. These conditions are serious and can cause other health problems if not addressed.
Food Dye Concerns: Some people are concerned about the artificial colors used in M&Ms. While the specific red dye linked to cancer in the ’70s is not used in M&Ms, there are ongoing debates about whether other dyes might be harmful. Some suggest they could lead to allergic reactions or impact children’s attention spans. However, there is no conclusive evidence, and the dyes used in M&Ms are approved for consumption.
What Does the M&M’s Logo Symbolize?
M&M’s logo looks simple at first glance but holds much meaning. The logo’s brown color matches milk chocolate, which you find inside M&Ms beneath their colorful exterior. The shape of the “m” s in the logo resembles the candy, creating a direct connection to what M&Ms are. The sharp ends of the letters add a neat and balanced appearance, echoing the candy’s texture contrast between the crunchy shell and the soft chocolate inside.
The “&” symbol in the logo represents the partnership of Forrest Mars Sr. and Bruce Murrie, who founded M&M’s. It symbolizes more than their collaboration; it’s about the joy of sharing M&M’s with others. The M&M’s logo tells a story of chocolate, partnership, and enjoyment, conveyed through an appealing design.
What Does the M&M Logo Mean?
The M&M logo is captivating and represents the strong partnership between Forrest E. Mars Sr. and Bruce Murrie, two key figures behind this iconic candy. Forrest Mars Sr. had the innovative idea of creating small chocolate candies with a colorful shell that wouldn’t melt easily. Bruce Murrie provided the necessary funding to make this idea a reality.
They named the candy M&Ms after the first letter of their last names. This naming was more than clever; it connected the creators to their brand, highlighting their collaboration. Mars brought his creative vision, and Murrie, thanks to his father’s role in the company, provided financial support and access to Hershey’s chocolate.
What Font is Used in the M&M’s Logo?
The M&M’s logo is known worldwide for being fun and colorful. It has a unique design that fits M&M’s perfectly. The logo looks familiar yet has its distinctive style, especially with the “M” s and the “s.”
Each “M” in the logo is slightly different. The first “M” has a small extra line on the upper left side, which the second “M” doesn’t have. This detail gives the logo a unique personality and helps it stand out. The “M” s have round edges, making them look soft and friendly, even though they are uppercase.
The “s” and the “&” signs in the logo resemble the ITC Lubalin Graph Demi font, known for its clear, modern look. This resemblance makes the logo feel cohesive and structured, blending playful touches with a sophisticated font style.
The “M” also shares characteristics with the Aachen SB-Medium font, particularly its boldness. This font is used for making strong statements, contributing to the logo’s solid and dependable appearance.
The M&M logo might be inspired by fonts like ITC Lubalin Graph Demi and Aachen SB-Medium, but its unique adjustments and details set it apart.
What is M&M’s Slogan?
The slogan “Melts in your mouth, not in your hands” was introduced in 1954. It highlights that M&M’s don’t melt like other chocolates because of their hard shell. M&M’s also had other catchy slogans like “Give them a home in your home” and “Chocolate is better in color.” These slogans have helped make M&M’s a source of joy and color, bringing people together and making chocolate fun to enjoy anywhere.
Who Created the M&M Logo?
A skilled graphic designer, Nicole Garcia, created the first M&M logo, helping the brand become widely recognized. Her design played a crucial role in defining the brand’s look.
In 2022, Jones Knowles Ritchie (JKR), a well-known creative agency with offices worldwide, updated the logo. They made subtle changes to refresh it while respecting Nicole Garcia’s original design. This update enhanced the logo’s timeless charm with a contemporary twist.
JKR has been influential in branding since 1990, with locations in China, Singapore, the USA, and Great Britain. Their approach to refreshing the M&M logo demonstrates their expertise in modernizing brands without losing sight of their heritage. This strategy has kept M&M’s popular worldwide.
What Color Were the Letters on M&M’s Originally?
M&M’s were noticeable initially because of their vibrant colors, including brown, green, purple, and yellow. The creators aimed to make the M&M’s name on each candy easy to spot by using contrasting letter colors against the candy shell. They aimed to make the candies recognizable at a glance. Despite the variety of candy colors, M&M’s logo always featured black letters. This created a uniform appearance that helped make the brand memorable. The clever design effectively made M&M’s visually appealing and helped consumers remember the brand from the outset.
