It started as Planters merely trying to “shellebrate” Baby Nut’s 21st birthday, and it ended with #BlockMrPeanut trending on Twitter.
In the blink of an eye on Tuesday, Baby Nut blossomed into Peanut Jr. Along with introducing the more-grown-up legume, Planters launched a campaign to give fans who had or will have a birthday in quarantine $2,100 in cash delivered to their doorstep by the iconic NUTmobile. To enter, consumers must share their dream birthday gift in 10 words or less on Twitter and include #MakeMyBirthdayNuts #Sweepstakes.
To celebrate my 21st, I’m giving you the best birthday gift ever! In 10 words or less, tell me your dream birthday gift with #MakeMyBirthdayNuts and #Sweeps to be entered to win $2,100 or a Planters Prize Pack! Rules: https://t.co/4LWqjYGg8w #sweepstakes pic.twitter.com/KBtaFCF36j
— Peanut Jr. (@MrPeanut) August 11, 2020
But instead of going nutty over the campaign, the public quickly started roasting Peanut Jr. The seemingly tongue-in-cheek cancellation of the mascot started when YouTuber Mr. Sunday Movies tweeted Tuesday morning, “I have to go to bed but I would love to wake to a world where #BlockMrPeanut is trending. He thinks he can just push himself to the front of public consciousness though cute forced vitality. Not the year for it. I won't have it.”
I have to go to bed but I would love to wake to a world where #BlockMrPeanut is trending. He thinks he can just push himself to the front of public consciousness though cute forced vitality. Not the year for it. I won't have it. pic.twitter.com/qfnZZUOq01
— Mr Sunday Movies (@mrsundaymovies) August 11, 2020
The tweet went viral and other people started posting screenshots proving they had blocked the @MrPeanut account.
Why does Mr. Peanut think he’s better than other peanuts? #BlockMrPeanut pic.twitter.com/QDufmQrrdk
— Wesley Walker (@NotTheWesinator) August 11, 2020
Society no longer needs Mr. Peanut.
— michael england (@MajesticalMicha) August 11, 2020
I stand by @mrsundaymovies #BlockMrPeanut pic.twitter.com/FKCI7qdI3s
I knew the people would come around #blockmrpeanut https://t.co/SyLDOsJJI4 pic.twitter.com/YMRvRpUD5q
— Justin Whang ?? (@JustinWhang) August 11, 2020
Some brands even cracked some jokes at the nut’s expense.
We see you #BlockMrPeanut, but would you Rock Mr. Peanut? ??https://t.co/ajdfUwVh0v pic.twitter.com/sZ8lCaQPLQ
— Reverb (@reverb) August 11, 2020
Sorry, but our restaurants are nut-free #BlockMrPeanut pic.twitter.com/SrpxPOC0VI
— MOD Pizza ?? (@MODPizza) August 11, 2020
This was likely not the reaction Mr. Peanut’s campaign team was expecting.
The brand hasn’t had the best luck this year. In January, Planters killed off Mr. Peanut and less than a week later the news broke that NBA legend Kobe Bryant had died in a helicopter crash. This led the brand to cancel a number of planned PR activations. Then, Mr. Peanut was brought back from the dead as Baby Nut for its Super Bowl LIV ad. But soon after, the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
A Planters representative was not immediately available for comment.
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