FitzBradshaw Racing will field the #12 Marshmallow Peeps Chevy in the BGN Rockingham 200 on February 22, 2003. This one-race running of the Peeps [a jayski fave – yum] car is in celebration of the candy’s 50th anniversary. Just Born, Inc., the parent company of the Marshmallow Peeps and Hot Tamales brands, is in its second year of sponsorship with FitzBradshaw Racing. “It is simply a perfect fit for us,” stated Peeps Marketing Director Matt Pye. “Having a Peeps car race at Rockingham is a quality opportunity for us to highlight the longevity and popularity of the Peeps product.” The Peeps 50th Anniversary Celebration kicks off today on the East and West coasts with the commencement of a 60,000 mile road tour featuring the Peeps Fun Bus and Peepster mobiles. The Peeps Fun Bus is an interactive mobile marketing vehicle designed to celebrate the history of the product. “This is exactly how we want sponsors to align with our team,” stated FitzBradshaw Racing’s co-owner Armando Fitz.. “Not only will we race a Hot Tamales car again this season, we have one of the company’s other brands incorporating us into the product’s biggest celebration yet. It is very exciting.” (and just cause I love Peeps, here is some cool info):
Marshmallow Peeps and Just Born History
1910 Sam Born, who as a child and young adult grew up in Russia, immigrated to the United States from France.. Born introduced French Chocolates to New York City.
1917 Born opened a small retail candy store in New York.. He would display daily-made candy in his store window, marketing its freshness with a sign that declared, just born.
1923 Born opened a small factory in Brooklyn, New York.. Additionally, Borns brothers-in-law, Irv and Jack Shaffer, joined the company shortly after the retail stored opened.
1932 Just Born moved its operations to an empty printing factory Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
1953 Just Born acquired Rodda Candy Company of Lancaster.. Although better known for its jelly bean technology, Rodda also made a small line of marshmallow products that fascinated the Just Born family.. A three-dimensional marshmallow Easter Peeps was made by hand-squeezing marshmallow through pastry tubes.
1954 – Bob Born, who joined the company in 1946, helped to mechanize the Marshmallow Peeps forming process.. As a result, Just Born has become the worlds largest manufacturer of novelty marshmallow candy.
1960s Just Born produces marshmallow Trees & Snowmen for the Holiday season and Pumpkins & Cats for Halloween under the Rodda Candy brand name.
1978 Cousins Ross Born and David Shaffer joined Just Born.. After more than a decade of shared responsibility with their fathers, they became Just Borns co-presidents
1980s Peeps Giant Bunnies are introduced.
1995 A new color Peep is bornLavender!. It was the fourth color added to the Easter line-up, which already included Yellow, Pink and White.
1998 Blue Peeps are introduced to celebrate Just Borns 75th Anniversary.. Now there are five colors available during the Easter season.
1999 The first-ever flavored Peeps is introduced Vanilla Creme Eggs.. Additionally, Peeps Jelly Beans hit the shelves for the first year.. Peeps also launched their first-ever national television advertising campaign during the Easter season, as well as the Marshmallowpeeps.com website, and the Peeps Fan Club.
2000 Marshmallow Peeps are now in new colorful packaging. Now all shapes for all seasons are called Marshmallow Peeps. .Additionally, Strawberry Crme Hearts (for Valentines Day) and Eggs (for Easter) are launched.
2001 Peeps Vanilla Crme Snack-Size Ghosts are available for the Halloween season they are the perfect size for trick or treating! Additionally, Cookie Flavored Cutouts (for the Holiday Season) and Peeps Vanilla Crme Hearts (for Valentines Day) also hit the shelves.
2002 Marshmallow Peeps Stars join the Peeps family.. With the introduction of Peeps Stars, the candy is available all year long! Additionally, Cocoa Bats, the first-ever cocoa flavored Peeps, join the Peeps line for the Halloween season.
2003 Marshmallow Peeps celebrates its 50th Anniversary with a year full of festivities.. The year includes: a new advertising campaign for all five Peeps seasons; a float in the Macys Day Parade; Launch of the Peeps Fun Bus Program; Introduction of the Peeps Points Program and the Re-Launch of Marshmallowpeeps.com
Peeps. Always in Season.(FitzBradshaw Racing PR)(1-28-2003)
