• New York Times, Monday, November 8, 2010 10:58 AM

After umpteen years, Mr. Peanuts has finally found his voice -- and a smooth one it is, indeed. Robert Downey, Jr. will provide the voiceover for an animated commercial that breaks tomorrow for the Kraft Foods snack, Stuart Elliott reports.

The humorous commercial will also display a new look for the spokesnut -- a grey flannel suit and a brown skin tone. It will be previewed on Facebook at midnight EST. He'll also have a new sidekick, Benson. What a night! Conan and Mr. Peanut both reemerging!

"One thing we learned is that while people love Mr. Peanut, they weren't connecting with him beyond the nostalgia," Jason Levine, senior director for marketing at Planters, tells Elliott. "Having him able to speak is bringing him to life as a personality and people can engage with him more."

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