As many of you know, my day job is with “Peanuts,” at Charles Schulz’s studio in California. If any of you work in the business or licensing sector you’ve probably already heard the recent news that Peanuts just went up for sale. More accurately, it was the licensing company that has managed Peanuts since it first launched 60 years ago, United Media. The Schulz family partnered with a New York brand management company called, Iconix, and bought Peanuts back. The deal officially closed this past Thursday so this has turned out to be one of THE most hectic weeks of my professional career. Maybe the only time that I can think of where things were busier was at the start of the Gulf War when I was working in the Graphic News department at the Chicago Tribune. Anyway, for all of you who might be Peanuts fans out there, it’s going to be an interesting transition period for these classic characters and all of us who work with them. As a result of all this craziness I’ve barely gotten to work on my own stuff lately, but I’m happy to be here and happy to help transition Sparky’s (AKA: Schulz’S) work into a new era.
Now for a big subject change…
I have been having a really good time imaging what sorts of high jinx Jane can get into in zero gravity… that’s fun. And I’ve also been having a great time coming up with cool vehicles that will appear in MARS 2. Here’s just a sample… I like to call it a “Rocket Moto.”
So I read about the purchase and Peanuts Worldwide, but I’m just curious this means, “for all of you who might be Peanuts fans out there, it’s going to be an interesting transition period for these classic characters and all of us who work with them”.
Not being in the industry at all, I obviously am clueless to the “interesting” changes that will happen…but then, I’m sure that’s an entire blog series in and of itself…which, of course, you could write in all your free time!
I guess “congratulations” is the right word…and good luck with all that!
In the mean time…I’ve never ridden a motorcycle, but THAT looks fun!
Well, in response to your question… there may be no noticeable changes… but I’m thinking that ending a 60 year partnership and beginning a new one, will be “interesting” probably more for those of us that work on Peanuts… hopefully fans will just keep being fans, without any bumps in the road. It was just big news for me… so I thought I’d share
RE: the moto art… I wish I had a motorcycle. I’m too chicken. I’d be afraid I’d break my wrist/arm and then how would I draw Jane?! I’d freak.
Thanks, Paige…I’m sure it WAS big news for y’all…heck, it made all the business pages…so it was big news for a lot of folks.
I can empathize with big changes…so to be redundant, good luck and I hope it’s a good new beginning!
Moto…ha, me chicken too…baak, baak…and I don’t draw for a living!
Paige,
I’m glad they were able to buy it back and hope that it brings stability to you and your co-workers.