Nerds, the quirky candy brand beloved for its tangy, crunchy pebbles, made a splashy return to the Super Bowl advertising stage on February 4, 2026, unveiling its boldest innovation yet: Nerds Juicy Gummy Clusters. In a 30-second spot titled "Taste Buds," the brand enlisted none other than pop culture icon Andy Cohen to serve as the supportive friend—or, as the ad calls it, Gummy’s "Taste Bud"—for the anthropomorphic Gummy character’s red-carpet debut. This marks Nerds’ third consecutive year advertising during the Big Game, and the company’s most ambitious campaign to date.
According to PR Newswire, the ad spot aired during the second quarter, introducing audiences to a candy that’s double the size of previous Nerds Gummy Clusters, with a tangy, crunchy Nerds exterior, a chewy strawberry-flavored gummy center, and, for the first time, a drop of strawberry punch-flavored juice inside. The campaign kicked off in January 2026 with teasers featuring Cohen at a vibrant party with the Nerds cast, building anticipation for the main event. The ad itself, developed by Digitas Chicago, follows Gummy as it prepares for its mega red-carpet moment, with Cohen hyping up its transformation every step of the way.
Andy Cohen, known for his quick wit and mainstream appeal as the creator of the Real Housewives franchise and host of Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live, was a deliberate choice for the campaign. As Katie Duffy, Ferrara’s vice president of global brands, told ADWEEK, “He has this ability to connect with all audiences. We wanted somebody who could be taken seriously by audiences as somebody who could authentically play that role of a supporting friend.” Cohen’s on-screen charisma and broad recognition—65% of Americans know him by name or sight, according to YouGov data—made him the perfect fit to introduce Nerds’ latest innovation to millions of viewers.
In the ad, Cohen marvels at Gummy’s transformation: “Whoa, you’re juicy and you’re mega now?” he exclaims, capturing both the literal and figurative growth of the candy. The playful banter continues as Cohen helps Gummy get ready for its red-carpet debut, echoing the multisensorial experience the new candy promises—mega crunchy, gummy, and juicy. Cohen himself summed up the experience, saying, "Listen, I know MEGA moments. I know when something is JUICY. And Gummy's transformation is both of those. Being Gummy's 'Taste Bud' and wingman for its MEGA red-carpet debut was incredible. The new Nerds Juicy Gummy Clusters? They're as satisfying as the best reality TV moment. This Big Game spot is going to be epic. You do not want to miss what Nerds and I are serving up."
Ferrara Candy Company, the parent behind Nerds, has been on a mission to revitalize its flagship brand since acquiring it from Nestlé in 2018. Originally launched in 1983, Nerds began as a sweet, crunchy treat that was fun but, as Duffy admitted to ADWEEK, "somewhat childlike, pretty messy, hard to share." That changed with the introduction of Nerds Gummy Clusters in 2020—a chewy, liquid-centered gummy enrobed in classic Nerds candy. The product quickly became a powerhouse, with sales ballooning from $50 million to $500 million in just five years, according to Digitas. Today, Nerds Gummy Clusters generate around $900 million annually for Ferrara, a testament to the power of innovation in the candy aisle.
The new Nerds Juicy Gummy Clusters take that success to the next level. As Greg Guidotti, Chief Marketing Officer at Ferrara, explained via PR Newswire, "Returning to the Big Game is a testament to the Nerds brand's momentum—connecting both to culture and the consumer. Andy's ability to spotlight what makes people—or in this case, our next level innovation—special is unmatched. Andy is the perfect 'Taste Bud' to help Gummy shine and introduce audiences to the MEGA, CRUNCHY, GUMMY, JUICY multisensory experience that our new Nerds Juicy Gummy Clusters innovation delivers."
This year’s campaign is more than just a TV ad. Ferrara has rolled out a comprehensive 360-degree marketing push, encompassing paid media, retail displays, public relations, influencer partnerships, gifting, digital, and social media. Jenny Brownson, global marketing director at Nerds, told Amplify, “Over the past couple of years, we’ve seen the importance of surround marketing to support the big game buy. This includes retail, experiential and social partnerships with influencers. That’s why you will see such a strong 360 surrounding the spot because it helps really drive the momentum of the overall spot.”
This momentum is crucial for Nerds, whose Super Bowl presence over the past two years has helped maintain brand relevance and attract new consumers, particularly among Gen Z. In 2024, the brand’s ad featured a Flashdance-inspired routine with singer Addison Rae, while 2025’s installment saw Gummy marching through New Orleans alongside musician Shaboozey. Each year, the campaign has grown in ambition and scope, culminating in this year’s mega-sized debut and product launch.
In the months leading up to the Super Bowl, Nerds primed the pump with new flavors and retail initiatives. In September 2025, the Berry Punch Rush flavor was given a major push, followed by the introduction of Cherry Lemonade in October. That same month, the brand launched Nerds Juicy Clusters with a robust digital and in-store campaign, setting the stage for the national spotlight during the Big Game.
The ad’s core message is clear: Nerds is no longer just a childhood treat. With its multisensorial, mega-sized innovation and a campaign that blends humor, pop culture, and nostalgia, the brand is staking its claim as a candy for everyone—kids, adults, and especially Gen Z households. As Ferrara’s leadership sees it, the Super Bowl is the ultimate arena for capturing national attention and driving household penetration. “It’s a way to get so much visibility and bring new households into the brand,” Duffy told ADWEEK. “The third year [in the Super Bowl] really just continues to reflect our momentum.”
With its colorful characters, celebrity endorsement, and a product that promises a "MEGA, CRUNCHY, GUMMY, JUICY" experience, Nerds has once again proven it knows how to make a statement on the world’s biggest advertising stage. For candy lovers and pop culture fans alike, this year’s Super Bowl spot was a moment worth savoring.