
Hey, Iowa: Think You Can Drive the Planters NUTmobile?
One day at my old job, on an otherwise unremarkable winter day, the trademark Planters NUTmobile pulled up in our lot. A couple years prior, a former radio DJ quit our company in order to take the truck cross-country. He decided to pay us a visit one afternoon.
It was quite a sight. Three drivers and Mr. Peanut, the longtime Planters mascot, mingled with us for a while, passed out stickers and bags of peanuts, and enjoyed their little central Illinois sabbatical. In conversation with my former coworker, he was telling me how liberating and unique it was not only to travel the country in a rolling peanut, but how enjoyable it was to bring smiles to kids and adults wherever he went.
Now, at the start of the new year, Planters is looking for three new drivers for their iconic NUTmobile. Similar to the beloved Oscar Meyer Wienermobile, the NUTmobile was conceived as a rolling advertisement for Planters. Based in Madison, WI, the NUTmobile will have applicants, known as "Peanutters," undergo two weeks of "Peanut Prep," where they learn about being brand ambassadors for Planters, the company's history, and how to drive the vehicle.
The truck itself is 26-feet-long, and is driven all across the country. Typically, three Peanutters are aboard the vehicle. They take turns driving the vehicle, and interact with customers in places like grocery stores, outdoor festivals, and other events. Peanutters each handle more than 200 events in a calendar year.
In addition, Peanutters are responsible for securing media markets to bring additional attention to the brand, all while creating content for Planters' social media pages. Per USA Today, the NUTmobile job application has a plethora of very specific responsibilities
- Pitching the NUTmobile's arrival in a community to local media, including TV, radio and digital publications
- Scheduling and partaking in media interviews and providing weekly reports on media hits
- Managing the NUTmobile's social media accounts, posting three to five times a week
- Engaging in more than 160,000 one-on-one customer interactions, ensuring all attendees have a "nutty time" and a positive brand experience
- Managing administrative and logistical planning and rate negotiations for hotels, parking , and vehicle maintenance
- Memorizing and articulating key facts about Planters' history, while in costume, performing in character roles

Planters likes applicants who have a bachelor's degree, preferably one in sales, marketing, journalism, communications, or public relations. Obviously, they must have a valid drivers license, as well as the flexibility to travel, work weekends, nights, and holidays. The pay is roughly $45,000/year.
Frankly, if you're in your twenties and aren't tethered to a specific area or lifestyle, this nomadic venture might be the right fit for you. You can apply for the position on Planters NUTmobile's website. You can also learn more about the gig on USA Today's website.
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Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
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