With Puppy Bowl IX right around the corner, members of the Animal Planet team started their Thursday by ringing the NASDAQ Stock Market Opening Bell along with some very special canine guests. Five very snuggly puppies joined Animal Planet representatives at the podium to promote the most important puppy sporting event of the year. Animal Planet staff donned their sharpest business attire and largest foam paws to commemorate the occasion.
The adoptable puppies journeyed from the Pennsylvania SPCA headquarters in Philadelphia to spread the word about this Sunday’s premiere of Puppy Bowl IX through barks, licks, and kisses. All the members of NASDAQ’s production staff enjoyed the change of pace and the influx of furry critters on set.
Executive Producer Melinda Toporoff started the broadcast after being introduced by VP of NASDAQ OMX David Wicks (pictured above getting licked). Melinda discussed the exciting new features in this year’s Puppy Bowl including hedgehog cheerleaders, a puppy hot tub, and new PuppyCam technology that allows the viewer to be even closer to the action.
Dan Schachner, Puppy Bowl referee, and the other members of the Animal Planet team joined her on stage at 9:30 a.m. for the ringing of the bell, which aired live on several business networks. After the excitement, members of the Animal Planet team stepped outside into Times Square to see their pictures streaming live on the giant screens in the center of New York City.
To catch all the canine action, don’t forget to tune in to Puppy Bowl IX on Sunday at 3 p.m. e/p
