PEEPS aren’t just for the Easter Bunny anymore, Santa had discovered them too!

And to get the word out about St. Nick’s new favorite candy, Just Born has launched a new holiday campaign dubbed, “Santa Hop”. It includes the first-ever holiday TV spot for the iconic marshmallow candy  

The ad features a traditional night-before-Christmas scene, but with a quirky twist.

Santa arrives to deliver gifts, but he has a bit more spring in his step. He hops through the house, mimicking the Easter Bunny's role of delivering PEEPS. The spot ends with Santa out of breath on a cozy chair, eating a Candy Cane Flavored Marshmallow PEEPS, as he says, “I don’t know how that Easter Bunny does it!” Then he’s seen hopping some more as Bunny Hop music plays in the background.

Just Born hopes the “Santa Hop” campaign will help consumers see PEEPS as a Christmas candy that be used as a stocking stuffer, a finishing touch on a holiday dessert, or as an embellishment on a holiday craft.

PEEPS holiday treats include:

• Candy Cane Flavored Marshmallow Chicks Dipped in Chocolate (featured in the advertising spots)
• Sugar Cookie Flavored Marshmallow Chicks Dipped in Milk Chocolate (new for this season) Chocolate Mousse Flavored Marshmallow Reindeer
• Chocolate Covered Mint Trees
• Marshmallow Snowmen
• Marshmallow Trees
• Gingerbread Flavored Men
• A variety of other festive treats

“Over the past several years we have worked diligently to extend the PEEPS product assortment far beyond the core Easter season," says Mark Hoffman, senior brand manager, PEEPS. “Our consumers can add a little PEEPSONALITY into their holiday season; not to mention some sweet stocking stuffers."

The new PEEPS ad debuted Dec. 1, with a 30-second television spot airing nationally. And, digital banner advertisements and social programs started Nov. 25.

Creative for the campaign was developed by New York-based agency The Terri & Sandy Solution, which also created the PEEPS TV campaign that debuted Easter season 2012.

Bethlehem, Pa.-based Just Born, which also makes Mike and Ike, Hot Tamales, and Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews, is a privately owned company founded in 1923.