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Gallery | Planters NUTmobile visits UI

By Jacob Slabosz, Michael Chew, Yichen Liu and Jack Larson April 13, 2023

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On Wednesday and Thursday, a strange sight made its way throughout the University campus. The Planters NUTmobile, which arrived Tuesday afternoon, spent Wednesday in the surrounding C-U area, but placed a heavy focus on the campus community Thursday. — Jacob Slabosz
On Wednesday and Thursday, a strange sight made its way throughout the University campus. The Planters NUTmobile, which arrived Tuesday afternoon, spent Wednesday in the surrounding C-U area, but placed a heavy focus on the campus community Thursday.

Michelle Nelson, professor in Media, brought her ADV 482: Qualitative Research Methods in Advertising class to see the large legume before it left at 4 p.m. — Jacob Slabosz
Michelle Nelson, professor in Media, brought her ADV 482: Qualitative Research Methods in Advertising class to see the large legume before it left at 4 p.m.

Students looked around with wide eyes and honey-roasted peanuts in hand. — Jacob Slabosz
Students looked around with wide eyes and honey-roasted peanuts in hand.

Jacob Slabosz

Peanutter and University alum Grace Tessitore spoke to the class about a day in the life of a Peanutter and the process for joining the team. “It’s a standard application process,” Tessitore said. “(You submit) a cover letter and a résumé, but the difference is you have to submit a video explaining why you’d be the perfect Peanutter. From there, it was three rounds of interviews and we were hired.” — Jacob Slabosz
Peanutter and University alum Grace Tessitore spoke to the class about a day in the life of a Peanutter and the process for joining the team. “It’s a standard application process,” Tessitore said. “(You submit) a cover letter and a résumé, but the difference is you have to submit a video explaining why you’d be the perfect Peanutter. From there, it was three rounds of interviews and we were hired.”

The peanut spends 12 months on a nationwide road trip, aptly named the “East to West Nut-Cracking Fest.” Currently, the Peanutters are 10 months in. — Jacob Slabosz
The peanut spends 12 months on a nationwide road trip, aptly named the “East to West Nut-Cracking Fest.” Currently, the Peanutters are 10 months in.

The vehicle visits a new state each week. According to Tessitore, the NUTmobile has already been to 38 states during the road trip, and by the end, it will have visited 45. — Jacob Slabosz
The vehicle visits a new state each week. According to Tessitore, the NUTmobile has already been to 38 states during the road trip, and by the end, it will have visited 45.

Michael Chew

Just days before its visit to the University, the NUTmobile could be found around 400 miles away in West Virginia. “Just before this we were on the East Coast, and we came all the way back just to visit Champaign,” Tessitore said. Next, they will make their return back to the East Coast. — Michael Chew
Just days before its visit to the University, the NUTmobile could be found around 400 miles away in West Virginia. “Just before this we were on the East Coast, and we came all the way back just to visit Champaign,” Tessitore said. Next, they will make their return back to the East Coast.

The NUTmobile is decorated in Planters branding both inside and out. The seats are embroidered with Mr. Peanut and there is a Mr. Peanut figure between the windshields. — Jack Larson
The NUTmobile is decorated in Planters branding both inside and out. The seats are embroidered with Mr. Peanut and there is a Mr. Peanut figure between the windshields.

Two of the other Peanutters who join Tessitore (right) on the NUTmobile are Alexa Esparza (left) and Kevin O'Donnell (middle). — Jacob Slabosz
Two of the other Peanutters who join Tessitore (right) on the NUTmobile are Alexa Esparza (left) and Kevin O'Donnell (middle).

Michael Chew

"Cashew later!" O'Donnell yelled their signature catchphrase as the NUTmobile made its departure. — Yichen Liu
"Cashew later!" O'Donnell yelled their signature catchphrase as the NUTmobile made its departure.

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