MIKE AND IKE®, the classic fruity, chewy candy loved by fans for generations, is making a major move off the court—signing New York basketball star Josh Hart as the brand’s first-ever Chief Candy Officer (CCO).
A self-proclaimed MIKE AND IKE® superfan, Hart is taking on what might just be his sweetest role yet—turning his lifelong love for the candy into an official front-office gig. As CCO, Hart will play a key role in shaping the brand’s playful personality, experimenting with new flavours, and offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at what happens when your favorite snack becomes your full-time job.
“Anyone who knows me knows MIKE AND IKE® isn’t just a candy to me—it’s the candy,” said Hart. “I’ve been eating these since I was a kid, and I still keep boxes everywhere—at home, in my locker, on the plane. This has been my number one candy forever, so becoming Chief Candy Officer feels like a full-circle moment. It’s more than a title—it’s me representing something I’ve loved my whole life.”
To celebrate the partnership, MIKE AND IKE® will roll out a new social media series following Hart as he settles into his candy-fueled role. Fans can expect to see Hart in action—taste-testing new flavours in the R&D lab, running “candy drafts” in the Just Born boardroom, packing boxes on the production line, and even taking mock press questions about his sweet new gig.
“Josh isn’t just putting his name on the brand—he’s diving right in,” said Deb Turoczy, Senior Manager of Consumer Engagement at Just Born, Inc. “From mixing up flavours in the test lab to bringing his trademark energy into our boardroom, he’s channeling the same passion that fans love to see on the court. We couldn’t imagine a better teammate.”
