PEZ time with Shawn Peterson...

Our Interview with General Manager of the PEZ VC Shawn Peterson :)

How does a normal Shawn Peterson's day look like?
Hahahahaha, there is no such thing as a normal day-everyday is different.
That's what keeps it fun, you never know what the day may bring!


How do you keep your creative juices flowing on all of the demanding projects that you have to complete?
Sometimes it just happens,other times I have to work at it.
Creativity can be tough-you can't force it, it just has to develop on its own. I'm ALWAYS thinking about PEZ or the Visitor Center- trying to come up with a new activity, new product or new display.

Picture: PEZ Visitor Center Facebook page

I'm always trying to think of something fun & new to keep the VC fresh. The challenge is to come up with an idea that gets the most bang for the buck so to speak-looking for the right opportunity to do something different that adds to the experience.

 
Since you have been collecting a long time, what is your most favorite vintage pez and what is your favorite newer pez? Since you've been working for PEZ USA and know the process of getting a pez made.
What pez have you wished to be made?

The answer this this question has changed many times over the years. I really like the vintage dispensers. Several stand out as favorites, psychedelic hand, full body Santa and currently the Erie Specters. Favorite newer? I thought the Chicken Little dispenser was great, it had the look and detail of a vintage dispenser.
I would like to see the classic Cartoon PEZ Girl become a dispenser- not sure that would be ever happen as the market for the dispenser would be pretty small and certainly not something for tradition retail but maybe a special PEZ promo or VC item...


Would you love to be a part of a European PEZ gathering, and do you have a favorite oversea gathering dispenser?
I would like to go to them all! I couldn't pick a favorite, the only one I have been to date is Sylvia's gathering 7 or 8 years ago- they all look like fun.


With the social media channels, news, informations and pictures, are coming very fast to the collectors now, what do you think about this?
It̀'s certainly changed the hobby and has pros and cons. The pro-information now is easy to get, a quick Internet search or question to the collector community can tell you almost anything you want to know anytime you want it.
The con- it takes some of the unknown away and some of the excitement. My favorite time of collecting was when I first started and had no idea what was out there or what to look for. You had to go store to store to search blindly for something new- I miss that!


From a historical perspective and personal opinion, who has had the greatest influence on the PEZ brand and why?
Historically-it's arguable but I would Point to Curtis Allina or Fred Blum. Both were big decision makers in the early days of PEZ Arrival in the U.S.- I believe it was Curt's decision to put heads on the dispensers and that changed the company forever.

CURTIS ALLINA > read here more

Do you ever have any input into the design of new PEZ dispensers?

Yes, I have been involved in some meetings, made some suggestions and shared ideas over the years. It is always a collaborative effort and I'm always thrilled to be part of that process when possible.


Did you have any input in the new translucent stems on the "Finding Dory" dispensers?

Picture: PEZ Candy Inc.
 

Hmmm, the idea was suggested before it actually got done this year. :)


Where do you see PEZ going in 5,10,20 years?
Hard to say, hopefully still continuing to grow. As long as we remain true to the original dispenser, I think there will be continued interest and growth- there are still lots of opportunities!

Who is your new book geared towards?
The person with general interest in PEZ. We were approached by a publisher called History Press looking for a recommendation for an author to write a book about PEZ.
I had experience as an author so permission was given and I got to work. They wanted a book to tell the story of how PEZ became a brand and how it has evolved. The results of that effort will be published in August this year- it was designed to create the broadest appeal.
Many things collectors will already know, the idea is to get more people interested, hopefully get more people that want to start collecting :)

Does your new book cover PEZ at a "collector" level or just high level?
The new book is meant to appeal to the broadest audience. It's a departure from what I have done in the past-less pictures, more words. It's a more in depth narrative on the history of the company and how PEZ became a brand-an overview of collecting and collectors, the factory in Orange and how the VC came to be.

Can you share a reveal or two from the PEZ archives?
Can you tell us a story?
I wish there was a blockbuster but unfortunately most anything that was good is long gone. It's my job to preserve what we have and establish an archive going forward. There are some files, paperwork, photos, etc. The discovery in April of this year of the vintage items in an old file cabinet was huge. Another file cabinet from the same office had a few files relating to 80s space guns & the Colonel Sanders promo with KFC that never happened. There are still many contracts from the 60s and 70s for some of the classics like Bullwinkle, Green Hornet and many others. One of these days I'd like to read through them and digitize things for preservation.

If you did not work at the PEZ Visitor Center, what do you think you would be doing with your life, and where you would be working?

Good question, I really have no idea. I think I'm the luckiest guy to be doing what I am. I spent 20 years in the greeting card business working for Hallmark cards throughout that career, PEZ opened some doors for me. Just because of my collection and prior books, I got some opportunities I wouldn't have otherwise. If it wasn't for PEZ, I would probably be doing something with my hands that has a creative element to it-what exactly through I don't know.
I never had that 'ah-ha' moment realizing I want to be a _____ until the idea of working for PEZ came into my head. It was the first time I was really excited and knew what I wanted to do for work.



Now that you're working for PEZ, do you collect with the same enthusiasm as at the beginning or has it become a task more about your Job?
It has certainly changed my perspective but there is still an excitement about collecting. I think that says a lot- I live and breath PEZ all day, everyday and still have a lot of excitement and enthusiasm for collecting.

Do you maintain a separate collection from the one on display or do you get to swipe the company card when you want something new?
I have some things at home still but the core collection is the Visitor Center. Unfortunately, even with that much space, there are still some items that aren't on display because there isn't enough room so they are still packed away. I wish there was an expense report or credit card for adding vintage items but it is and remains my collection so anything that gets added is funded by me.

There has to be pros and cons to managing the PEZ VC...I believe you said one time that you are no longer allowed to buy and sell at conventions. Is this true? Has this been difficult to do? Would you consider that a "con" if so? What is the biggest "pro" for you?
I can buy and still do a regular basis, I no longer sell though. That part changed for me when I started working for PEZ. I used to be an active seller at conventions and had my own website for a while but anyone that is a dealer knows- it's a lot of work! I don't miss that part of it. It makes going to shows now much easier as I don't have tons of stuff to pack and move all the time. I just get to shop and visit without all the extra work. The biggest PRO to me in running the VC is the ability now to help promote PEZ and collecting.

I believe Aaron Lamay's Pony's are on display. Aside from your awesome collection how many other "donors" are there? Are you allowed to name them? Do they volunteer to have you display them or do you seek out the ones that are not in there?
Aaron (and few others) have graciously loaned some items to us for display- we have a special display case that we offer to anyone that would like to participate and try to rotate it as much as possible. The two exceptions to that case were the special Will & Kate set and the person that found the 2nd political donkey dispenser. Both items have since be returned to their owners. The collector case now displays the vintage items that were found in the file cabinet that had been locked and stored away for years. They are part of the PEZ archive- with the exception of 4 or 5 other items, all items on display are from my collection.

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In writing this book, what was the most shocking piece of information you did not know before writing this book?


Picture from pezcollector.at

Shocking? Haha, I don't think anything was shocking- it's PEZ! I was surprised to find an original ad sheet for the advertising regulars that shows ordering options, accessory bases and pricing- I don't know if any collector has this sheet but I think it's pretty rare, maybe the only one.
I also found some purchase orders for the pineapple, pear and orange showing 10,000 of each were ordered but no explanation why 2 of the 3 are so difficult to find now.




What is the most sought after PEZ for the Visitor's Center?
I would like to locate the whereabouts of the JFK set and put it on display. I think we could get some good press coverage if that is ever found.

Picture: PEZ International
 

How many of the red PEZ boy were made???
1000

I would like to know if there will be a special dispenser included with the purchase of your new book?
Great Idea but unfortunately no.

Have you already searched all the Basement and closets in the PEZ Center, will you surprise us with new exceptional PEZ treasures?
I thought I had been though everything but that was proved wrong a couple of moths ago. I think there may still be a few nuggets that have yet to be discovered. That's what keeps it exciting, you just never know!

Huge Thank You to Shawn for taking the time to talk with us!!
Shawn's new book "PEZ from Austrian Invention to American Icon" Will be launching at the TerrifiCon, a Comic Book Convention at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT on August 19th, 20th, 21st 2016.

You can pre-order Shawn`s new book here:
Amazon Prime

A BIG Thank You to all of you who submitted questions for Shawn to us. The winner of the Pez Palz Pez is.... 

Great BIG Congratulations to Brian K.

Thank you Aaron Lamay, Eddie Santiago, Momo, and Hans (collector.at)

PEZ Int.

&

Shawn Peterson,

for the Pictures