Its official “Robert Downey Jr. to speak for Mr. Peanut”.
 

"Before Robert Downey, Jr. lent his voice to the Planters mascot, the rakish legume spent almost a century in silence."
 

For the first time in 94 years the peanut lovers over the world are enjoying the new avatar of their favorite legume.  This will be a special gift for all those peanut lovers who are celebrating the Peanut Butter Lovers’ Month this November. The Planters Peanut guy, who burst on scene with a yellow, animated self in 1916, is getting a voice and physical makeover too. The new mascot will be mesmerizing people in its gray flannel suit, and a grave voice provided by none other than Robert Downey Jr.  
 

The new Mr. Peanut made his first social appearance at midnight of November 9. Yeah, you have heard it right, like you all this lanky legume too has got its own Facebook account.

The campaign which first made its appearance on Facebook has slowly crept into our daily life by making appearance in our drawing rooms through various television ads, movie previews, radio ads and  all places a peanut ad can appear. It is reported that Kraft Foods have spent about $30-35 million on revamping the mascot.
 

But traditionalists need not worry because this speaking nut still retains some values from its old appearance like his monocle, his cane, and his old-school top hat. There might be many who enjoyed the old avatar, but still they can have a good look at this new look. One ad guru points out, "He is who he is, and people respect his genuineness."
 

The Kraft Foods aim to position this speaking nut ad at Mr. Peanut's house, where Mr. Peanut will appear with his shorter sidekick, named Benson. You will hear these nuts urging you to serve "classy snacks" and to act like "a gracious host, no matter who shows up." The great thing is that Mr. Peanut will have a companion to converse. Do you want to know who the companion is going to be? It's none other than Benson. No, Benson does not live in Mr. Peanut's house, but he enjoys his company.
 

This is indeed a feather in the cap of “Iron Man” actor Robert Downey Jr, who has previously lent his voice to some credible brand names such as Nissan.

Image courtesy:media.hamptonroads.com