The global chief marketing officer for MetLife, Esther Lee, announced the change on Thursday, saying that Snoopy was adopted as a symbol in 1985 to make the company seem “more friendly and approachable during a time when insurance companies were seen as cold and distant.”

MetLife Pet Insurance As pet ownership levels in the United States continue to reach new heights, MetLife Pet Insurance announced today it will partner with one of the world's most legendary pets, Snoopy, to build greater awareness of the critical importance of pet health insurance.

In 1985, MetLife adopted Snoopy and other Peanuts characters as their spokestoons, having them appear in promotional materials, sales literature, premium items and commercials. For many years, Snoopy featured prominently on the MetLife blimp.

The name Peanuts was likely chosen because it was a well-known term for children at the time, popularized by the television program The Howdy Doody Show, which debuted in 1947 and featured an audience section for children called the “Peanut Gallery.” How many newspapers has Peanuts appeared in?

$10 million to $15 million a year People familiar with the matter said the most-recent contract was signed in 2014 and costs MetLife $10 million to $15 million a year. In recent days MetLife said it notified the company that licenses the “Peanuts” characters of its decision.

The name Peanuts was likely chosen because it was a well-known term for children at the time, popularized by the television program The Howdy Doody Show, which debuted in 1947 and featured an audience section for children called the “Peanut Gallery.” How many newspapers has Peanuts appeared in?

Charlie Brown Charlie Brown is a young boy. He is the main character, acting as the center of the strip's world and serving as an everyman.

Pig‑PenChristopher DeFaria, A.J. Tecce, AJ TeeceSally BrownFergie, Seiran Kobayashi, Mariel Sheets, ...SchroederAndy Pforsich, Greg Felton, David CareyPeppermint PattyBill Melendez, Christopher DeFaria, Patricia Patts, ...Linus van PeltAlexander Garfin, Stephen Shea, Glenn Gilger, ...FranklinMarleik Walker Peanuts/Characters Soon, readers came to know and love a whole cast of indelible young characters: philosophical Linus and his crabby big sister Lucy; piano-playing Schroeder; attention-grabbing Sally; pals Franklin, Peppermint Patty, Marcie, Pigpen and his famous dust cloud.

Linus was named after good friend and fellow cartoonist Linus Maurer. Peppermint Patty was inspired by his cousin Patricia and Snoopy is based on Schulz's highly intelligent childhood pet who was a pointer, not a beagle. Philip Van Pelt's wife, Louanne, inspired Lucy Van Pelt, Linus' sister.

Charlie Brown Snoopy can be selfish, gluttonous and lazy at times, and occasionally mocks his owner, Charlie Brown. But on the whole, he shows great love, care, and loyalty for his owner (even though he cannot even remember his name and always refers to him as "the round-headed kid").

Charlie BrownNoah SchnappLinus van PeltAlexander GarfinPeppermint PattyBill MelendezWoodstockBill Melendez, Bill MelendezSally BrownSeiran Kobayashi, Mariel SheetsPig‑PenA.J. Tecce, AJ Teece The Peanuts Movie/Characters

Many of the Peanuts characters were inspired by real people and events. A scene from A Charlie Brown Christmas. Snoopy was one of Schulz's earliest Peanuts characters, appearing for the first time on October 4, 1950, two days after the comic strip's debut.