MR. PEANUT AND THE PLANTERS NUTMOBILE VEHICLE THE HISTORICAL NUTS AND BOLTS

Even Amedeo Obici, company founder of the Planters Nut & Chocolate Company, couldn’t have imagined the popularity and recognition that the now iconic Mr. Peanut would garner when he hosted a trademark design contest in 1916. After selecting the winning sketch of the “little peanut person” christened Mr. Peanut, a commercial artist added a top hat, monocle, white gloves, spats, and a cane to give him a sophisticated and high-quality image.

As Mr. Peanut’s popularity grew, his stylish image adorned an array of premiums including belts, salt and pepper shakers, banks, clocks, and pencils. Over the years, Mr. Peanut, who is now equipped with his wit and dapper attire, has truly become a piece of Americana.

Mr. Peanut Historical Highlights

1916 Mr. Peanut was born in Suffolk, VA, when 14-year-old Suffolk resident Anthony Gentile wins a Planters-sponsored trademark contest. An artist at the J. Walter Thompson advertising agency polished up the rough drawing. The artist adds the monocle, top hat and cane.

1918 Mr. Peanut took his first bow in an advertisement in the Saturday Evening Post—and soon this elegant man-about-town was everywhere: on Planters containers, product displays, and premiums.

1937 A Planters billboard featuring Mr. Peanut appeared in New York City’s Times Square.

1980 Planters was among the first to launch a specially shaped commercial balloon—introducing the Mr. Peanut hot air balloon during 1980 in Great Britain. The balloon was also a major part of Mr. Peanut’s 75th birthday celebration in 1991.

1991 Mr. Peanut appeared for the first time as a three-dimensional animated figure in a new TV advertising campaign called “Everybody Loves a Nut.”

1997 The Mr. Peanut balloon appears in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Contact: Lynne Galia | (847) 646-4538 | Kraft Heinz Company

NUTmobile Department | 560 E. Verona Ave. | Verona, WI | planters.com

Mr. Peanut Historical Highlights-2

1998 After a 40-year hiatus, Mr. Peanut returned to New York’s Times Square in a massive new billboard at 45th and Broadway with flashing neon lights and a three-dimensional can of Planters nuts that tipped up and down.

2004 Mr. Peanut wins a spot on New York’s Advertising Walk of Fame. This honor, during New York City’s first Advertising Week, includes a plaque to be embedded in the Madison Avenue sidewalk between 49th and 50th street for Mr. Peanut and four other advertising icons.

2006 The results are in – Mr. Peanut has a winning image that’s a classic! As part of Planters year-long 100th anniversary celebration the brand asked people to vote on whether Mr. Peanut should receive a new accessory or maintain his classic image. With votes cast and counted, Mr. Peanut keeps his current good looks and fashionable attire.

A Mr. Peanut statue is unveiled on Atlantic City’s Boardwalk, where Planters opened one of its earliest retail stores in the 1930s.

2010 With an updated wardrobe and contemporized look, Robert Downing Jr. became the first voice of the talking Mr. Peanut.

2013 The style, wit, and charm of Mr. Peanut persevere when Bill Hader becomes the new voice of Mr. Peanut.

Contact: Lynne Galia | (847) 646-4538 | Kraft Heinz Company

NUTmobile Department | 560 E. Verona Ave. | Verona, WI | planters.com

NUTmobile Historical Highlights

1935 The first peanut car was built and used by a Planters salesman.

1999 Mr. Peanut’s Hot Rod, a 25-foot-long peanut-shaped vehicle hit the road when Planters was named the official snack food of NASCAR. The Nutmobile propelled Mr. Peanut to more than 35 cities as he promoted Planters products at parades, festivals, retail outlets, and NASCAR events.

2002 The Planters Nutmobile first appears in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

2011 Planters kicks off its “Naturally Remarkable” campaign and unveils a new biodiesel Planters NUTmobile. The NUTmobile uses environmentally-conscious materials and harnesses the power of sunlight and wind. Solar panels on the roof, a wind turbine (the first time one has been used to power a commercial vehicle of this size), and a biodiesel generator provide energy for tour stop needs. Interior lighting is provided by low-energy LED lights, and reclaimed wood from a 1840s barn in Lancaster, PA is used to create the flooring.

2014 Two new 26-foot long fiberglass peanuts on wheels hit the road and travel in style, expanding the fleet of NUTmobile vehicles to three. In true 21st century style, these two new NUTmobile vehicles feature smart technology, GPS navigational systems, and a customized interior.

2015 Mr. Peanut took the Planters NUTmobile on the road to host Mr. Peanut and his Bucket List Tour. Mr. Peanut was on a mission to check off some of the nuttier items on his bucket list in cities across the country while meeting fans and chronicling his trip along the way.

Contact: Lynne Galia | (847) 646-4538 | Kraft Heinz Company

NUTmobile Department | 560 E. Verona Ave. | Verona, WI | planters.com