Chicago, Ill. — Ferrara’s NERDS brand is introducing a new candy product, NERDS Juicy Gummy Clusters, alongside a 30-second Super Bowl commercial airing in the second quarter of this year’s Big Game. The launch marks the brand’s third consecutive Super Bowl appearance and its most significant product expansion since the original NERDS Gummy Clusters line.
The new product combines crunchy NERDS candy shells with a chewy strawberry-flavored gummy center. It also includes a liquid strawberry punch filling. According to the company, the candy delivers a larger bite than its predecessor. It also adds a new “juicy” texture layer to the existing cluster format.
Ferrara confirmed the campaign began rolling out in January and includes television, retail displays, digital advertising, and social media activations. The brand also announced that the product will be supported by a nationwide marketing push across paid media, public relations, and in-store execution.
The Super Bowl advertisement, titled “Taste Buds,” features television host Andy Cohen alongside the brand’s animated “Gummy” character. The spot centers on the character’s transformation ahead of a red-carpet appearance, symbolizing the transition to the new Juicy Gummy Clusters product.
According to Greg Guidotti, chief marketing officer at Ferrara, the campaign reflects the company’s strategy to blend pop culture with product innovation. He said the partnership with Cohen was intended to introduce the new candy to a broad audience during one of the most visible advertising moments of the year.
The product joins the existing NERDS portfolio, which includes Original NERDS, NERDS Ropes, Big Chewy NERDS, and NERDS Gummy Clusters.
Industry context: Super Bowl advertising meets product innovation
NERDS’ return to the Super Bowl reflects a broader CPG trend. Brands are pairing major product launches with high-profile entertainment moments. Candy and snack companies increasingly use the Big Game as a platform for more than brand awareness. They are also using it to debut new SKUs tied to sensory experiences and limited-time buzz.
The product’s focus on texture layering (crunchy, gummy, and liquid-filled) mirrors growing consumer demand for multi-sensory confectionery formats. Competitors across the candy aisle have expanded into filled gummies and hybrid candies. This shift responds to younger shoppers who seek novelty and shareable experiences.
Ferrara’s strategy also points to the rising influence of celebrity partnerships in food marketing. This approach becomes even more effective when paired with social-first campaign extensions on TikTok and Instagram.
Why it matters
NERDS’ Juicy Gummy Clusters launch shows how confectionery brands are using major cultural events to introduce incremental innovation. Instead of creating entirely new categories, brands are building on existing product lines. By adding a new sensory element, Ferrara lowers risk while keeping the brand relevant in a crowded candy market.
The campaign also shows how Super Bowl advertising has shifted away from pure storytelling. It now focuses more on product-centered launches supported by digital and retail activation. For CPG brands, this strategy blends mass awareness with measurable in-store impact. It also reinforces the importance of synchronized marketing and supply chain readiness.
Other News
Beyond expanding its core product lines with new textures, Ferrara is also leveraging major sports partnerships to drive seasonal sales. Highlighting this strategy, the company recently launched limited-edition U.S. Soccer packaging and flavors across its NERDS, SweeTARTS, and Trolli brands, utilizing adaptable supply chains to roll out multi-sized promotional packs nationwide ahead of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup.
Editor’s note: Source86 perspective
For food manufacturers and private label brands, the NERDS launch highlights a growing trend in confectionery. Brands are evolving proven products through texture innovation and cultural relevance. Instead of reinventing the brand, Ferrara is expanding a successful SKU family. The new product introduces a fresh sensory experience supported by one of the largest media stages in the world.
At Source86, we help brands manage bulk ingredient sourcing and private label development. We also provide FSQA oversight and co-manufacturing partnerships to support launches like these with operational precision. Whether introducing filled gummies, hybrid textures, or seasonal innovations, supply chain coordination is essential. Ingredient transparency also plays a critical role in bringing new products to market at scale. Let’s talk.
FAQs
It is a new candy product featuring crunchy NERDS shells with a chewy strawberry gummy center that contains a liquid strawberry punch filling.
The 30-second commercial is scheduled to run in the second quarter of the Big Game.
The spot stars television host Andy Cohen alongside the NERDS animated “Gummy” character.
NERDS is owned and produced by Ferrara, a global confectionery company affiliated with Ferrero.
External source: NERDS® Brings Its “Gummy” Character and Its Taste Bud, Andy Cohen, Together to Introduce NERDS® Juicy Gummy Clusters® Candy at This Year’s Big Game
