Manny Pacquiao Gets Crackin' In The Ring And On The TV Screen

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Wonderful Pistachios announced today its sponsorship of the upcoming Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez fight on December 8 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Additionally, Wonderful Pistachios will debut their Get Crackin' commercial starring Pacquiao during Monday Night Football, as he "does it with a knockout punch."

This will be the fourth time Pacquiao and Marquez square off in the ring, and this matchup is anticipated to draw millions of viewers. Also sure to draw some attention is the new Wonderful Pistachios commercial featuring Pacquiao. In the spot, Pacquiao is shown warming up on a speed bag, and once he goes in for the final knockout – pistachios burst out of the bag and at the screen as the announcer says, "Manny Pacquiao does it with a knockout punch."

Wonderful Pistachios is also sponsoring 2012 Olympian, Jose Ramirez, the USA Boxing all-time record holder with 145 wins, 11 national titles and six consecutive USA gold medals. The 20-year-old lightweight boxer is making his professional boxing debut on December 8 as the undercard of the fourth meeting between Pacquiao and Marquez. Ramirez was born and raised in Avenal, CA, a rural agricultural community in the Central Valley and the same place where Wonderful Pistachios are grown. Paramount Farms, the parent company of Wonderful Pistachios, began sponsoring Ramirez so he could spend more time focused on school and training, and has continued their support through the Olympics, and this upcoming fight.

"As athletes, Manny Pacquiao and Jose Ramirez are the epitome of physical health, and as one of the lowest calorie, lowest fat nuts, Wonderful Pistachios are an excellent snack choice for competitors and fans alike," said Mark Masten, vice president of global sales and marketing, Paramount Farms. "Sponsoring this fight is an opportunity for Wonderful Pistachios to reach the boxing community by having a presence at the main event, and with our consumers watching at home. It's a knockout win for all!"

Now in its fourth season, the iconic Wonderful Pistachios Get Crackin' commercials highlight how every character cracks open a pistachio in their own unique way. Pacquiao joins an elite nutty cast of characters including Snoop Lion, The Simpsons and The Village People.

About Wonderful® Pistachios
The Wonderful Pistachios brand features upscale, premium packaging and a bold contemporary look, appealing to a sophisticated, health-conscious consumer.  Wonderful Pistachios are grown in Lost Hills, California, part of the San Joaquin Valley, the agricultural heartland of California.  Grown, processed and packaged by Paramount Farms, Wonderful Pistachios are available at retail outlets and grocery stores nationwide and are available in a variety of sizes. For more information about Wonderful Pistachios or the "Get Crackin'" campaign, visit www.getcrackin.com, www.facebook.com/getcrackin and www.twitter.com/getcrackin.

About Paramount Farms
Part of Roll Global LLC, headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Paramount Farms is one of a group of privately owned, affiliated companies that comprise the largest farming operation of tree crops in the world. In addition to pistachios and almonds, Paramount Farms is also the largest producer and exclusive grower of the California Wonderful variety of pomegranates. Sister company, Paramount Citrus, is the largest orange and lemon packing facility in North America, the majority of which come from its own orchards, and the largest grower of Clementine mandarin oranges in the United States.

SOURCE Wonderful Pistachios