Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Media, Law & Policy
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Media, Law & Policy

Is Mr. Peanut Really Dead? Stay Tuned

Thursday, January 23, 2020, By Matt Michael
Share
Newhouse School of Public Communications

Mr. Peanut is dead at 104 – or is he?

Advertising expert Edward Russell says the death of Mr. Peanut is “likely only chapter one” in this seemingly tragic story of an iconic character.

Russell, an associate professor of advertising in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, spent 25 years in the advertising business working for some of the largest and best-known firms in the world. He has worked on almost every product category in nearly every market around the globe.

At Leo Burnett Worldwide’s Chicago headquarters, Russell led the agency’s Procter & Gamble international business, its second-largest global business. Russell was responsible for 410 brands in 98 countries and managed nearly $1 billion in billings. The agency won more new business from P&G during this time than in its entire history.

Russell wrote Leo Burnett’s international training program, “LeoSmarts.” He is the author of “The Fundamentals of Marketing.”

Russell is available for interviews to discuss Planters’ marketing strategy. For use in your stories, here’s what Russell says about the death of Mr. Peanut:

“We’re all talking about Mr. Peanut for the first time since 1963. But what are we talking about? His death. Yep, a Super Bowl funeral is a great (and expensive) way to get people talking about Mr. Peanut, but I’m guessing it’s going to work. Will it sell more peanuts? I’ll bet it does. But is it wise to kill off a 104-year-old icon like Mr. Peanut?

“Or… is that the end of the story? I could imagine loads of follow-up scenarios. The next major holiday in America is Easter . . . he could rise from the dead. Or, how do we know Mr. Peanut doesn’t have a Mrs. Peanut and maybe some macadamia nuts on the side? Does he have younger, hipper proteges roaming Peanutland? Maybe. Stay tuned . . .  this is likely only chapter one.”

 

To request an interview with Prof. Russell or for more information, please contact:

Matt Michael
Media Relations Specialist
Division of Marketing and Communications

T 315.443.2990   M 315.254.9037
mmicha04@syr.edu

  • Author

Matt Michael

  • Recent
  • Doctoral Candidate Wins Grant for Research on Infrastructure, Violence and Resistance in Pakistan
    Friday, August 1, 2025, By News Staff
  • Co-President of Disability Law Society Eyes Career in National Security Law in Washington
    Thursday, July 31, 2025, By Jordan Bruenger
  • Lender Center New York Event Gathers Wealth Gap Experts
    Wednesday, July 30, 2025, By Diane Stirling
  • After Tragedy, Newhouse Grad Rediscovers Her Voice Through Podcasting
    Wednesday, July 30, 2025, By Chris Velardi
  • Back-to-School Shopping: More Expensive and Less Variety of Back-to-School Items
    Tuesday, July 29, 2025, By Daryl Lovell

More In Media, Law & Policy

After Tragedy, Newhouse Grad Rediscovers Her Voice Through Podcasting

When Erika Mahoney ’12 graduated from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, she had no idea that her journalism training would one day help her navigate the most devastating chapter of her own life. Today, the former National Public…

Class of ’25 College of Law Graduate to Be Inducted Into the U.S. Olympic Hall Of Fame

A runner for most of her life, Marla Runyan L’25 crossed yet another finish line when she walked the stage in May to accept her diploma from the  College of Law. While this was quite an achievement, she is no…

Professor Nina Kohn Serves as Reporter for 2 Uniform Acts

College of Law Distinguished Professor Nina Kohn is helping to create “gold standard” legislation on some of the most important issues facing older adults and individuals with cognitive disabilities. Based on her legal expertise, including in the area of elder…

250 Years Later, Declaration of Independence Still Challenges, Inspires a Nation: A Conversation With Professor Carol Faulkner

In June 1776, from a rented room in Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson penned the first draft of the document that would forge a nation. The stakes were high, amidst the ongoing war with the British, to find the right words to…

Philanthropy Driven by Passion, Potential and Purpose

Ken Pontarelli ’92 credits the University for changing his life, opening up opportunities to pursue his passions and achieve professional success that allows him to focus on the public good. In return, he and his wife, Tracey, are paying it…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Youtube
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.