Charles Schulz's Beloved Peanuts Gang To Hit Theaters

9 Oct 2012 15:28 Africa/Lagos

Charles Schulz's Beloved Peanuts Gang To Hit Theaters
Iconix Brand Group Announces Film Release To Coincide With The 65th Anniversary Of The Iconic Comic Strip In 2015

NEW YORK, Oct. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: ICON) announced today that Peanuts Worldwide, a joint venture with Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates, will release a PEANUTS feature film worldwide in 2015. The film is based on creator, Charles Schulz's, iconic comic strip. Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the gang are among the most recognized characters in the world.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121009/NY88861 )

The as yet untitled animated event will be released on November 25, 2015. 2015 will mark the 65th anniversary of the debut of the "Peanuts" comic strip and the 50th anniversary of the landmark television special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas."

The Peanuts screenplay has been written and will be produced by Craig Schulz, son of Charles Schulz along with his own son, Bryan Schulz and Cornelius Uliano. Twentieth Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios have been chosen by the Schulz family to distribute, produce and animate the new Peanuts movie. Steve Martino will direct; previously, he brought to the big screen (with Jimmy Hayward) "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!" Martino also directed (with Michael Thurmeier) Fox's recent box-office smash "Ice Age: Continental Drift."

Charles Schulz drew the most popular and influential comic strip of all time, which was read everyday by 355 million people in 75 countries. In addition to the famous strip, Peanuts holiday television specials such as "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" have won Emmy's and continue to be among the highest rated prime time TV specials.

"This is a momentous step for the Peanuts brand. The beloved characters, Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the whole gang resonate with multiple generations all over the world," commented Neil Cole, CEO, Iconix Brand Group. "This film will give us a new medium in which to engage consumers globally and showcase the power of the Peanuts brand, " added Cole.

Craig Schulz, President, Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates, commented, "We have been working on this project for years. We finally felt the time was right and the technology is where we need it to be to create this film. I am thrilled we will be partnering with Blue Sky/Fox to create a Peanuts movie that is true to the strip and will continue the legacy in honor of my father."

Vanessa Morrison, President, Twentieth Century Fox Animation, commented, "We are thrilled to partner with the Schulz family and Iconix and honored to bring the Peanuts characters to the big screen. This all started with our love and respect for the work of Charles Schulz. We thank the Schulz family and Iconix for letting Fox and Blue Sky bring his vision to new generations of film goers."

About Charles Schulz

Charles Schulz once described himself as "born to draw comic strips." A Minneapolis native, he was just two days old when an uncle nicknamed him "Sparky," after the horse Spark Plug from the "Barney Google" comic strip. Throughout his youth, he and his father shared a Sunday-morning ritual of reading the funnies. After serving in the army during World War II, Schulz got his first big break in 1947 when he sold a cartoon feature called "Li'l Folks" to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. In 1950, Schulz met with United Feature Syndicate, and on Oct. 2 of that year, "Peanuts," so named by the syndicate, debuted in seven newspapers. Schulz died in Santa Rosa, Calif., Feb. 12, 2000--just hours before his last original strip was to appear in Sunday papers.

PEANUTS Worldwide

The PEANUTS characters and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide LLC, a joint venture owned 80% by Iconix Brand Group, Inc. and 20% by members of the Charles M. Schulz family. Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ICON) owns, licenses and markets a growing portfolio of consumer brands including CANDIE'S (R), BONGO (R), BADGLEY MISCHKA (R), JOE BOXER (R), RAMPAGE (R), MUDD (R), MOSSIMO (R), LONDON FOG (R), OCEAN PACIFIC (R), DANSKIN (R), ROCAWEAR (R), CANNON (R), ROYAL VELVET (R), FIELDCREST (R), CHARISMA (R), STARTER (R), WAVERLY (R), ZOO YORK (R), and SHARPER IMAGE (R). In addition, Iconix owns interests in the ARTFUL DODGER (R), ECKO (R), MARC ECKO (R), ED HARDY (R) MATERIAL GIRL (R), PEANUTS (R), and TRUTH OR DARE brands. The Company licenses its brands to a network of leading retailers and manufacturers that touch every major segment of retail distribution from the luxury market to the mass market in both the U.S. and worldwide. Through its in-house business development, merchandising, advertising and public relations departments Iconix manages its brands to drive greater consumer awareness and equity.

Contacts:
Iconix
Maria Dolgetta
212.819.2084

SOURCE Iconix Brand Group, Inc.

Web Site: http://iconixbrand.com/

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Mila Kunis Versus Tracy Obonna

Esquire magazine has just named Mila Kunis as the Sexiest Woman Alive 2012, but TALK OF THE TOWN challenges this verdict by comparing Mila Kunis to our own sexiest woman alive Tracy Obonna the Nigerian Bombshell.

Or as she might say (and did), "If I wanted to charm the pants off you, I could." She talks like that and she looks like that, even when she's really not trying hard at all. A brief encounter with the most beautiful, opinionated, talkative, and funny movie star that we've all known since she was nine. But first, a special Mila Kunis video — and, you know, photos....



Read more: http://www.esquire.com/women/women-we-love/mila-kunis-video#ixzz28n2zQxQU

Tracy Obonna aka The Nigerian Bombshell

Nigeria's Best Kept Secret!




Nigerian Bombshell- a tribute to both her native descent and incredible frame.Tracy was born to Nigerian parents, but her father's business ventures meant that she spent most of her early life growing up across the globe. She first lived in Washington D.C., which is her place of birth. She also lived in London England as well as Nigeria. When Tracy was six years old, her parents made the decision to move to Toronto, Canada. Growing up in Canada, Tracy grew a passion for the arts. She participated in numerous school plays and dance recitals. Somewhere in the midst of practicing ballet and tap moves, Tracy developed another passion for both watching and playing sports. In the the sixth grade, Tracy began playing volleyball very seriously…as a result of her hard work combined with dedication, she was able to receive a scholarship to play Division 1 volleyball for Youngstown State University in Ohio. Thus, it was volleyball that eventually brought her back to the United States. After a few years of playing volleyball in Ohio, she transferred to New York where she then applied the same determination and competitiveness from her volleyball legacy to her modeling and acting career.
Moving to New York would prove to be one of the best decisions she made. While in New York, she obtained a Bachelor's degree in Business and Theatre Arts. Tracy would go on to be featured in the music video for the hit "Pop Champagne" by Jim Jones and Ron Browz ft. Juelz Santana. She has also appeared in various magazines and is continuously being booked to host parties across the country.

Some of Tracy's most prestigious work include the following//
Nollywood Movie "X-Class" - 2012
Featured in Flava Girl Mag - Aug 2011
Heineken Ad Campaign/Commercial-2010
P Diddy's 4th of July Dancer in Atlantic City – July 2010
Featured Dancer-Ne-Yo's 30th Birthday Celebrity Party in NYC - Oct 2009
Dancer in Belly ft. Snoop Dogg music video "Hot Girl" – Sept 2009

Music Videos//
Belly ft. Snoop Dogg "Hot Girl"
Masspike Miles ft. Rick Ross "Nasty"
Trilogy "Warning"
Jim Jones and Ron Browz ft. Juelz Santana "Pop Champagne"

Magazines//
ELM Magazine…Featured Model-Issue # 5 (December 2011)
FLAVA GIRL Magazine…Summer 2011 (Featured Model)
GORGEOUS Magazine...Dec. 2009-Special Holiday/1208Models Issue (Featured Model)
TEARSHEET Magazine...Spring 2009 (Featured Model)

Awards//
Chancellor Award in Academics and Athletics
2011 NPA Award - Best Nigerian Model of the Year

Tracy currently resides in Florida, where she is pursuing an MBA degree in International Businessand Finance.
The name Nigerian Bombshell can mean the obvious; "Oh she's a pretty Nigerian girl."
However, to Tracy herself, the name bears a much deeper meaning.

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My Dear, So What Kind of Person Are You Dating Now?

My Dear,
So What Kind of Person Are You Dating Now?

If I tell you that the state of Nigeria today has a lot to do with the lifestyles of Nigerians in relationships, many poorly educated or intellectually challenged people may not understand the premise of my analysis of the Nigerian crisis.

All the evil doers perpetrating the horrifying and terrifying deeds destroying lives and properties in Nigeria have relationships and in fact they are the products of dysfunctional relationships. Because, members of the dreaded Boko Haram Islamic terrorists and the other lunatic fringe of Muslims, kidnappers, armed robbers, fraudsters, cheats, liars and other monsters in Nigeria were born through relationships of all sorts, the good, the bad and the ugly. And it all starts with the good or bad choices we have made in our relationships like girls dating cultists and boys dating call girls and end up having children who may end up like their evil or mentally sick parents, because no good girl will date an evil guy and no good boy will date and evil girl, because evil begets evil.

Latest reports say there are over 33 million jobless Nigerians.
These 33 million Nigerians without jobs are not idle.
As the saying goes that the devil finds work for idle hands.
These legions of jobless Nigerians are actively engaged in all sorts of occupations, both good and evil and in most cases they are having relationships and having sex and eventually end up with unwanted pregnancies. Then the unwanted pregnancies will either produce unwanted babies or aborted babies.

Has anyone analyzed the grave consequences of unwanted pregnancies, unwanted babies and other problems caused by the millions of jobless Nigerians contributing to the Nigerian crisis?
Have you wondered why there are now more poor people than ever before in Nigeria?
The poor masses continue to breed children they cannot feed and these ill-bred children end on the street as criminals and call girls increasing the problems plaguing the rest of the society.

Have you not seen these jobless youths dancing and messing around at parties and other events and causing troubles they cannot solve?
As I have noted in other articles that only clueless girls will date guys who cannot even afford Always sanitary pads and diapers.
But these legions of jobless youths who contribute nothing to the GDP and GNP are the most sexually active in Nigeria and are the ones increasing the liabilities of those who are gainfully employed in Nigeria.
Many of them can even boast of having three square sexual intercourses per day, but cannot boast of having three square meals!
I see them every where milling around in groups with sagging pants and shirts and cheap canvas shoes or slippers and doing nothing more than looking for opportunities for quickies and scams. And you wonder if that is all they can offer Nigeria.
But did they ask to be born by the idiots who gave birth to them, but cannot feed them or educate them?
If I tell you that many of those making babies in Nigeria today are morons, you may hiss in doubt and annoyance, but this is actually true. You only have to visit the blighted areas in the towns and cities of Nigeria and you will see intellectually retarded young men and women still reproducing like dogs and pigs.
I have lived among them in different states and also during field trips on family planning projects in Nigeria and saw how these legions that are not even capable of taking care of themselves reproducing children they cannot care for.

The problem starts with you and I and the choices we make in our relationships.

Please, the sooner we stop doing more harm than good to ourselves, the better and safer we would be. A stitch in time saves nine, so before you succumb to the gust of lust of that guy who is whining “baby be mine”, think twice and evaluate the pros and cons of dating him.
Is he capable of being a good father?
How much is he contributing to the GDP and GNP?
If he is contributing nothing, please for your own safety and welfare and our society, keep as far away as possible from him.

Lest I forget, dear guys, don’t date any girl or woman who is also going to be a liability to you and the society.
Please, save us from the grave consequences of bad relationships, because these bad relationships are the time bombs of the crimes and evils destroying the precious lives and properties of others in Nigeria.
If she cannot be your help mate, then she is not worth your time and resources.
We need to date those who have brains and skills and not those who know nothing more than using their loins and swallowing pills.


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

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Girls Like Guys Who Can Cook!

Gilles Marini and Buitoni® Know What Girls Like: Guys Who Can Cook!
Buitoni Searches for Kitchen Casanovas Worthy of a $10,000 Prize



SOLON, OHIO (October 4, 2012) – It’s confirmed – girls like guys who can cook! In fact, 92 percent of women recently surveyed say they like it when a guy cooks for them*! Now, Buitoni® and sexy celebrity dancer, actor and at-home chef Gilles Marini are on a mission to get guys in the kitchen! They’re inviting guys to get cooking with Buitoni pasta and sauces for the chance to win $10,000 and a year’s supply of Buitoni refrigerated products in the “Girls Like Guys Who Can Cook” Contest at www.facebook.com/BuitoniUSA.

If $10,000 isn’t enough to motivate guys to make dinner tonight, they should check out the results from a recent Buitoni survey:


Women describe men who can cook as thoughtful (71%), sweet (48%), confident (44%), attractive (31%), sexy (27%) and successful (20%). Wow!

Sixty-one percent of women said they want their guy to cook for them more often, and 15 percent said their guy never cooks for them. C’mon guys!

Just over 45 percent of women surveyed said they are most impressed that their guy is just trying to cook for them!

Ciao bello! Nearly 45 percent of women surveyed think a guy is sexiest when cooking Italian.

From the sound of it, there has never been a better time for guys to cook with Buitoni pastas and sauces!

“My wife loves it when I cook for her! She says there’s nothing sexier than when I make her a romantic dinner at home,” said Marini, movie screen stud and contestant on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars: All Stars.” “I want guys to understand that it takes only a few simple ingredients to make an incredible meal. With Buitoni pastas and sauces you can go from zero to hero before the water even starts to boil. And when cooking for someone, the rewards are always worth the effort!”

Now through November 4, girls and their guys can enter the “Girls Like Guys Who Can Cook” Contest at facebook.com/BuitoniUSA for a chance to win $10,000 and a year’s supply of Buitoni pastas and sauces. To enter, fans must visit the Contest entry page and upload a video showcasing a guy’s ability to turn an ordinary meal into an extraordinary one with Buitoni pastas and sauces (see Official Rules at the Contest page for full entry requirements). After the entry period has concluded, fans can come back to Facebook to vote for their favorite videos.

Looking for yet another reason to get guys cooking? November 1 is “National Men Make Dinner Day,” the perfect opportunity for girls to capture their guy in action, on video. A few clicks of the mouse could be worth $10,000!

To enter the contest or read the official rules, visit facebook.com/BuitoniUSA. Contest is open to legal
residents of the United States, excluding legal residents of MD and VT. Videos must be entered no later than November 4. Void where prohibited. Sponsored by Nestle USA, Solon, Ohio 44139.

About Buitoni North America
Buitoni North America, the maker of BUITONI® refrigerated pastas, sauces, shredded cheese, and frozen meals for two, is part of Nestlé USA. Nestlé acquired Buitoni in 1988 with the vision of applying its vast technical know-how to expand the range of BUITONI® products. Today, a wide variety of BUITONI® products are available throughout Europe and the United States. Many of the favored
BUITONI® recipes were developed at Casa Buitoni in Italy where Buitoni has been creating award-winning Italian foods for more than 175 years. For product news and information, visit Buitoni.com.

About Nestlé USA
Named one of “The World’s Most Admired Food Companies” in Fortune magazine for fifteen consecutive years, Nestlé provides quality brands and products that bring flavor to life every day. From nutritious meals with Lean Cuisine® to baking traditions with Nestlé® Toll House®, Nestlé USA makes delicious, convenient, and nutritious food and beverage products that make good living possible. That’s what “Nestlé. Good Food, Good Life” is all about. Well-known Nestlé USA brands include: Nestlé® Toll House®, Nestlé® Nesquik®, Nestlé® Coffee-mate®, Stouffer’s®, Lean Cuisine®, HOT POCKETS® and LEAN POCKETS® brand sandwiches, Nescafé®, NESTLÉ® Juicy Juice®, Buitoni®, DREYER’S/EDY’S®, Nestlé® Crunch®, Nestlé® Butterfinger®, Wonka®, DIGIORNO®, TOMBSTONE® and CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN® frozen pizza. Nestlé USA, with 2011 sales of $10 billion, is part of Nestlé S.A. in Vevey, Switzerland — the world’s largest food company with a commitment to Nutrition, Health & Wellness — with 2011 sales of $94 billion. For product news and information, visit Nestleusa.com or NestleNewsroom.com.

About the 2012 Buitoni Survey
These are some of the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted in August 2012. For the survey, a nationally representative sample of 503 randomly-selected female adults aged 18 and over residing in the United States was interviewed by Ipsos’ online omnibus. For full survey results, contact Erin Bowersox at erin.bowersox@mslgroup.com.
Contact

Kate Schultz, Nestlé Buitoni
kate.schultz@us.nestle.com
440-264-5176

Erin Bowersox, MSL Seattle
erin.bowersox@mslgroup.com
206-270-4655

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Scarlett Johansson Will Make A Better Grace Kelly Than Nicole Kidman

Grace Kelly and Nicole Kidman as Princess Grace Kelly in 'Grace of Monaco'

Australian Hollywood star Nicole Kidman does not look like Grace Kelly. Scarlett Johansson looks more like Grace than Nicole. The casting directors should reconsider their choice of Nicole.
Please, compare and contrast the looks of Nicole and Scarlett and that of Grace Kelly. Who looks more like Grace?
Of course, Scarlett can play the role too.
Olivier Dahan did not have a good casting director.

Another director should consider Scarlett in another film on Grace Kelly.

Scarlett Johansson

Grace Kelly

Nicole Kidman

Scarlett Johansson

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Nicki Minaj Gets $200,000 To Perform in Nigeria

Nicki Minaj Gets $200,000 To Perform in Nigeria

Nicki Minaj is going to be paid a whopping $200,000 to perform in a Christmas carnival in Nigeria where majority of the population of over 158 million people live from hand to mouth on less than a dollar per day and over 33 million are jobless with majority of the people living in blighted areas without clean water and without electricity.
Nigeria is one of the most corrupt and insecure countries in the world according to Transparency International where thousands have been attacked and killed by the dreaded Boko Haram Islamic terrorist sect and their fellow Hausa Fulani herdsmen on rampage in the Middle Belt and northern regions, and innocent citizens being kidnapped and robbed in other states.

The following is a detailed report from Nigeria.

American female rapper Nicki Minaj is said to be among the International acts to perform at this year’s edition of the Africa’s biggest street party, Calabar Carnival. News reaching us say the “Young Money” artiste will pocket $200, 000 USD for her appearance at the event.

Calabar Carnival festival in Nigeria, was created as part of the vision of making the Cross River State in Nigeria, the number one tourist destination for Nigerians and tourists all over the world. The carnival which begins on every 1st of December to the eve of the New Year has boosted the cultural mosaic of Nigerian people while entertaining the millions of spectators within and outside the State, and boosting industry for all stakeholders.

The Calabar Carnival has come a long way since it started 2004, when the past governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke had a vision of making his state the hub for tourism and hospitality in Nigeria and in Africa. The Carnival presents a perfect platform for brand visibility for consumers and market awareness. Recently, Cross River State and Calabar has become the pride of Nigeria and Africa as far as tourism, carnivals and hospitality are concerned.

The event has hosted top Nigerian musicians, Nolly-wood Actors, Politicians and international artistes. Over the last 4 years international artistes like, the late Lucky Dube, Akon, Fat Joe,Joe, young Jeezy, Nelly, Kirk Franklin, and many more have thrilled the large crowds of Nigerians and tourists from outside the country.


~ SOURCE: NAIRALAND.

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So She Is Arrogant Because She Refused To Go Out With You?

So she is Arrogant, Because She Refused to Date You?

This ambiguous and erroneous notion is common among majority of Nigerian guys, both the bachelors and married men.

Whenever they approach a babe for relationship and she bluffs or rebuffs them, they conclude that she is arrogant.
Of course it is stupid to just conclude that a babe is arrogant, because she does not want to go out with you.
Let her be.
She has the right to accept or reject your advances. Hello! That does not mean she is arrogant, uptight or she hates you. Respect her decision and don’t get twisted over it.
The fact is, she may even agree to go out with you later when she has taken her time to make up her mind on you.

As I always insist LOVE IS NOT BY FORCE. Anytime you force anyone into a relationship, you are most likely going to end up with apologies and regrets later in life.
I have seen it and even getting the girl pregnant did not help the guy, because she eventually left him for even an older guy down the street.

There are girls and there are girls.
Many of the Nigerian girls may be ruled by herd mentality or peer pressure, but there are some girls who are different and have principles. Not those who are flip-flopping every now and then depending on their mood swings or peer group.
There is a girl or lady who is different from the one every Dick, Tom and Harry thinks he can take advantage of and lay just for his bragging rights among his peers at the club, office or on campus and moves on to another target of his conquest.

When Nigerian guys find a girl very friendly and welcomes their advances, she is nice, but if she keeps them at arm’s length, they will hiss and call her arrogant or uptight. But in most cases, they are ignorant and wrong.
All girls and ladies are not the same and some of them don’t go out with any guy simply for the fun of it or the selfish benefits. They have principles and they won’t compromise them to impress or please you and your romantic fancies or erotic fantasies.

There is a tall, beautiful and brilliant young woman who is only 19 and in her first year at the premier university in Lagos. She makes heads turn whenever she passes by, but most of the guys in her community have not been bold enough to ask her out, because of being bluffed or rebuffed. Most of them are older than her by five to ten years and have already graduated from the university and polytechnics, but from a distance they call her arrogant.
“She is so full of herself.”
“She thinks she is something special.”
They will regard her and hiss.
Then they start plotting how to set her up by organizing parties and see how they can use their own girlfriends who are close to her to lure her to come to their parties where they believe they will have the opportunity to ask her for a dance and some of the bad guys plot to spike her drink and get her drunk so that they can rape her. But the smart girl who has been well bred and warned by her parents and guardians to beware of such shenanigans and other Smart Alec romantic maneuvers of these desperate guys in town knows how to also outsmart them even with friendly smiles and excuses.
“Oh, sorry, I forgot. There will always be more occasions to celebrate.”
But unknown to them she knows what she wants and has taken her decisions. She does not want to date anyone in her neighbourhood or on campus. The best they can do is just to respect her decision and not being stupid.
Moreover, principled girls and ladies have defined ambitions and targets and if any guy does not match their set goals, they will not welcome his advances even if both of them graduated from the same academic or professional class.

It is important for Nigerian guys to understand that not all Nigerian girls and ladies are pawns for their ego-tripping power plays. And these special breed of Nigerian female folk are entitled to their chosen principles of life. Comprehendo?



~ By Orikinla Osinachi, October 4, 2012.


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