BOSTON – Oct. 5, 2010 – Charlie Brown and the rest of the PEANUTS cast of characters are coming to Poptropica this month with the launch of “Great Pumpkin Island.”  Now available to Poptropica Members with Early Access, the site’s 15th Island will be available to the public on Oct. 14.
Based on the much-loved comic property created by Charles M. Schulz, “Great Pumpkin Island” features the PEANUTS characters as they get ready for Halloween. Throughout the Island quest, Poptropicans will experience all of the memorable scenes from the popular television special, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” including visiting the pumpkin patch with Linus, trick-or-treating with the whole gang, and taking flight with Snoopy as the World War I flying ace.
“In its 60th anniversary year, PEANUTS continues to remain relevant to fans of all ages. We’re always looking for new ways to get in front of younger audiences, so they too can fall in love with Schulz’s characters the way generations have before us,” said Joshua Kislevitz, senior vice president of domestic licensing at Peanuts Worldwide. “As the most popular online place for kids to safely play and explore, Poptropica is the perfect virtual world to host Great Pumpkin Island.”
Like PEANUTS, Poptropica has an international following.  Every month, as many as 10 million kids explore Poptropica’s virtual Islands. The players of this virtual world for kids come from more than 100 different countries and have their Web browsers set to more than 70 different languages, ranging from Spanish and Sanskrit to Vietnamese and Croatian.
“For nearly 45 years, kids of all ages have gathered in October to watch the popular PEANUTS television special, ‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.’ We are thrilled to bring this icon of Halloween to the kids on Poptropica,” said Jess M. Brallier, publisher of Poptropica.”Great Pumpkin Island is the third of many Islands based on popular brands that will be coming to our virtual world for kids over the next two years.”
Kids can stay up to date on news about upcoming new Islands and other exciting developments in the world of Poptropica on the official blog at http://blog.poptropica.com/.
About Poptropica (http://www.poptropica.com)
Poptropica is a virtual world in which kids explore and play in complete safety. Every month, millions of kids from around the world are entertained and informed by Poptropica’s engaging quests, stories and games. Kids create a “Poptropican” character to travel the many Islands of Poptropica and use gaming literacy to enjoy a narrative that is often rooted in factual history. Problem-solving skills are honed as kids discover and solve mysteries unique to each Island.
There are always new areas to explore in this ever-expanding world where kids can collect objects, read digital books and comics and compete in head-to-head competition. Parents can always trust that their children are playing – and learning – in a safe online environment. Poptropica is published by Family Education Network, a part of Pearson (NYSE: PSO), the education, services and technology company. Pearson’s other primary operations include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group.
About 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. 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), LONDON FOG (R), MOSSIMO (R), OCEAN PACIFIC(R), DANSKIN (R), ROCA WEAR(R), CANNON (R), ROYAL VELVET (R), FIELDCREST (R), CHARISMA (R), STARTER (R) and WAVERLY (R). In addition, Iconix owns an interest in the ARTFUL DODGER (R), ED HARDY (R), ECKO (R), MARC ECKO (R), ZOO YORK (R), MATERIAL GIRL(TM), and PEANUTS 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.
For more information, press only:
Rod Granger, Pearson, 800-745-8489, rod.granger@pearson.com
Ilona Zaks, Peanuts Worldwide, 212-293-8788, izaks@peanuts.com