The PEEPS® Chick Is the 2016 Spring Ambassador

In a Race Against the Groundhog, The PEEPS® Chick is America's First Official Sign of Spring

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Feb 03, 2016, 07:04 ET

BETHLEHEM, Pa., Feb. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the past few weeks, America was tasked with voting on the most reliable candidate for predicting the spring season – the PEEPS® Chick or the Groundhog. The votes have been tallied and the PEEPS® Chick defeated the Groundhog for the official 2016 Spring Ambassador by a whopping 6 to 1 margin. This is the first time in 129 years that the Groundhog has been challenged, and ultimately unseated as the key predictor of the spring season.

The votes are in! The PEEPS Chick celebrates its victory against the Groundhog as America's 2016 Spring Ambassador at Just Born Quality Confections headquarters on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. For more PEEPS news visit www.marshmallowpeeps.com. Jeff Fusco/AP Images for Just Born Quality Confections

On Tuesday, January 19 the PEEPS® Chick held a press conference at the headquarters of Just Born Quality Confections where it announced its candidacy to run against the Groundhog. From then through February 2, America had the opportunity to vote for the Spring Ambassador online on the PEEPS® Chick's candidate website: www.marshmallowpeeps.com. Participants were able to view a countdown until spring, follow the campaign trail, see campaign videos and read fun campaign materials.

As each state elected a Spring Ambassador, an interactive map changed the colors to yellow or brown to represent what the candidate won. To no surprise, Pennsylvania was the only state that resulted in a tie.

"I am confident that I will lead the United States into a successful 2016 spring season while holding the title of Spring Ambassador," the PEEPS® Chick peeped. "I proudly wear the colors of spring every day and have more than 60 years of experience bringing fun, color and innovative shapes to spring crafts, recipes, dioramas and Easter baskets."

As the PEEPS® Chick's first order of business for spring 2016, PEEPS® will be releasing two new flavored Chicks – PEEPS® Orange Delight Flavored Marshmallow Dipped in Orange Fudge and PEEPS® Lime Delight Flavored Marshmallow Dipped in Lime Fudge. The brand is also bringing back the PEEPS® Sugar Free Marshmallow Chicks by popular demand.

The iconic yellow PEEPS® Chick and the pastel color PEEPS® will bring store shelves to life nationwide at mass retailers in the seasonal aisles on Monday, February 15. PEEPS® fans can also find their favorite marshmallow treats at www.peepsandcompany.com, where they can also purchase PEEPS®-themed merchandise and apparel.

About Just Born Quality Confections:
Just Born, located in Bethlehem, PA, is the 9th largest candy company in the US and is the maker of some of America's most beloved and iconic brands – PEEPS®, MIKE AND IKE®, HOT TAMALES® and GOLDENBERG'S® PEANUT CHEWS®. The Just Born Retail Group brings the candy to life in three PEEPS & COMPANY® retail locations, at www.peepsandcompany.com and in regular retailers across the country by creating an array of high-quality branded items such as apparel, plush, accessories and gifts for shoppers of all ages. Visit the PEEPS & COMPANY® online store or one of three retail stores located in Center Valley, PA, National Harbor, MD and the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN for great gifts this holiday season.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160202/328946
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160202/328945LOGO

SOURCE Just Born Quality Confections