NERDS Encourages Fans to ‘Unleash Their Senses' with Big Game Ad Starring Addison Rae

NERDS® is making its bold debut on the world's biggest advertising stage for the first time in its 40-year history, which is also a first for Ferrara. Today, the brand is revealing its Big Game ad early and introducing NERDS Gummy, a new character made in the likeness of the fan-favourite NERDS Gummy Clusters – an unexpected, one-of-a-kind product combination of CRUNCHY and GUMMY packed in every bite. The 30-second spot is expected to air in the second quarter of the Big Game and is meant to encourage fans to 'unleash their senses' with multisensorial NERDS candy.

The campaign kicked off with a teaser video featuring actor and artist Addison Rae teaching a mystery student dance moves, but we don't know who it is. The spot then reveals it's been the NERDS Gummy being coached – someone quite literally new to the scene – that's been hard at work in the dance studio all along.

In the spot, the NERDS Gummy dances to "Flashdance...What a Feeling" performed by Irene Cara and a dance routine culminates with the iconic dance scene from the movie, "Flashdance." We then see the NERDS Gummy combine with the original NERDS characters to create the NERDS Gummy Cluster. Addison also appears at the end of the spot, beaming with pride at her student's dynamic performance. This is Addison's first Big Game spot, too.

"I was so excited when I got the call to be part of such a huge moment for my favourite candy. NERDS Gummy Clusters is my go-to snack – whether I'm in the studio, on the dance floor, on set, or just relaxing at home," said Addison Rae. "Flashdance" just so happens to be my all-time favourite movie, and it really resonates with me as I turned my love of dance into a career – and this time, I was able to use my background in dance to head to the Big Game with one of the most beloved brands. This is a dream come true. If you haven't tried NERDS Gummy Clusters yet – RUN!"

The NERDS Gummy Clusters' unexpected, one-of-a-kind combination of CRUNCHY and GUMMY packed in every bite continues to be part of culture and keeps fans coming back for more as the #1 selling item in the Sugar Candy Category. The brand's adventurous innovations like these have helped NERDS consistently reinvent itself over the past four decades to get where it is today. The Gummy Clusters product helped grow the brand from $50 million to half a billion dollars in annual retail sales in just five years. Activating at the Big Game is the biggest investment in NERDS' and Ferrara's history – with the strategy of introducing NERDS Gummy Clusters at an iconic American cultural event that attracts high viewership.

"The consumers' love for NERDS – and NERDS Gummy Clusters – has propelled the brand to new heights. NERDS Gummy Clusters has four of the top 10 SKUs in the Sugar Candy Category with 85 percent year-over-year sales growth*. The exponential growth of NERDS has really been a once-in-a-career experience," said Ferrara chief marketing officer Greg Guidotti. "To celebrate this, we wanted to show up in a big, bold way on the world's biggest stage with a spot that gives a fresh look at the loveable NERDS characters – with a powerful union that creates the NERDS Gummy Cluster while engaging all the senses. And, since NERDS is a brand rooted in pop culture, it was only fitting to borrow inspiration from a legendary movie like "Flashdance" and involve a dynamic dance icon in Addison Rae to help our star, the NERDS Gummy, get ready for its debut."

History of NERDS characters and Brand Evolution

The new spot is designed to bring new energy to the NERDS brand, while spotlighting Gummy Clusters and the enjoyment that comes with eating the ever-popular candy. The spot uses vibrant visuals, sounds, and colours to demonstrate how the union of crunchy NERDS with gummy, as embodied by the NERDS Gummy character, can deliver a joyful, multisensorial experience that encourages people to "unleash their senses."

This campaign marks the first major evolution of the NERDS characters since their inception. The brand launched in 1983 with the lovable purple, pink, orange, and red NERDS characters and over the years have added blue, green, and yellow characters to the pack. With the new NERDS Gummy character, NERDS created an endearing figure, meant to serve as a contrast, but also the perfect companion to the NERDS characters. This campaign not only reveals NERDS Gummy but features an updated look for the rest of the NERDS characters, including a 3D glow-up where the characters will have more expressions, personality, and playfulness, while keeping their essence – inspired by the original, tiny crunchy NERDS candies.

About NERDS Gummy Clusters and A Big Game Giveaway

NERDS Gummy Clusters are delicious whether enjoyed on-the-go or at home watching the game. Each bite features colourful, crunchy, tangy NERDS surrounding a sweet gummy centre for a fun-to-eat, multi-sensorial treat. NERDS Gummy Clusters come in Rainbow and Very Berry flavours and are available nationwide in various sizes for suggested retail prices that range based on size between $1.48 – $10.48.

Fans can look for NERDS, SweeTARTS, and Trolli Big Game displays at retailers nationwide and learn how to enter for a chance to win a trip to the Big Game in 2025. Official rules here.

Visit NerdsCandy.com to locate product retailers and to learn more about the NERDS product portfolio. Follow the brand on social to keep up with the latest – @NerdsCandy on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.  

Check out our Collection of every Super Bowl 2024 ad so far here.