Esteemed political cartoonist Pat Oliphant was born July 24, 1935. Australian-born Pat made his fame as a United States editorial cartoonist from the 1960s into the 2000s, becoming the inspiration for generations of cartoonists who followed and revered him. Oliphant started in the U.S. at the Denver Post in 1964 and within a year was […]
The New York Times and The Washington Post have published obituaries for Andrews McMeel Universal co-founder John P. McMeel. From The New York Times: John McMeel, co-founder of what began as a basement operation in a rented ranch house in Kansas, with a mail drop on Fifth Avenue in New York City, and grew […]
Andrews McMeel Universal has issued a memorial to Chairman Emeritus and Co-Founder John P. McMeel. excerpt: “I’m not sure I ever met anyone who was more enthusiastic and energized about life and work than John,” said Gary Larson, creator of The Far Side®. “I confess to being a little on the withdrawn side when I […]
Universal Press Syndicate/Andrews McMeel Universal co-founder John McMeel has passed away. John Paul McMeel January 26, 1936 – July 7, 2021 Hall Syndicate/Publishers-Hall Syndicate salesman and manager Universal Press Syndicate Co-Founder, Sales Director, and President Andrews McMeel Universal Chairman On July 7 current AMU Chairman Hugh Andrews notified the company’s associates: I am […]
Universal Press Syndicate co-founder Kathleen Andrews has passed away. Kathleen Whalen (Kathy) AndrewsMarch 12, 1037 – April 16, 2021 Kathy was there in the beginning: In 1970, Andrews McMeel Universal was founded as Universal Press Syndicate by Jim Andrews and John McMeel. With an impressive company name and energetic young owners, Universal Press Syndicate […]
The 2020 Reuben Awards Weekend and Dinner is being held in Kansas City, Missouri. The choice of Kansas City has to do with it being the home of Andrews McMeel, and has been since the company started 50 years ago. So it is A Golden Anniversary for the syndicate. Origins from ReferenceForBusiness.com: The company that […]
Famed Universal Press Syndicate editor Lee Salem has passed away. Lee J. Salem July 21, 1946 – September 2, 2019 From the obituary: Lee served as editor and then president of Universal Press Syndicate, now called Andrews McMeel Syndication. In his nearly four decades at Universal, he is credited with editing and developing some […]
Epic, the digital reading platform and library for kids, is teaming up with Andrews McMeel Publishing, home to Big Nate and Calvin & Hobbes, to produce a line of children’s books. Under the new arrangement, AMP will publish print editions of Epic Originals digital books, a content line that Epic debuted in March. […]
KC Business magazine has named Andrews McMeel (parent company of Universal Uclick) the coolest office in Kansas City. They have a great write-up with lots of photos. Unfortunately, you have to read it through a magazine reader site. Here’s the link. Skip to page 18.
From a trusted source I’ve learned that that there has been a couple of leadership changes inside Universal Uclick. Lee Salem has announced that he has relinquished his title of Editor. He started with the company since 1974 as an assistant editor before rising through the ranks to President in 2006. Since then he has […]
Dilbert is getting a new manager. Universal Uclick will begin syndicating Scott Adam’s Dilbert in June and will take over Dilbert.com on January 1. This announcement is a big one and one wonders how United Media, who grew the famous office strip into one of the most widely syndicated strips in the world, could let […]
Universal Uclick has posted a notice to Pibgorn fans that it has turned off the comment section under the Pibgorn comic. Without a doubt, Pibgorn is a comic strip that generates a lot of conversation. But given Pibgorn’s particular subject matter, and the themes depicted in many of Brooke’s breathtaking sketches and finished pieces, the […]
Universal Uclick has announced that this February they will be the syndicating Charles Schulz’ classic comic strip Peanuts. The acquisition was made possible after the Schulz family formed Peanuts Worldwide LLC, a joint venture owned 80% by Iconix Brand Group, Inc. and 20% by members of the family, and purchased the copyrights from United Media. […]
Universal Uclick has launched a new corporate website. From their press release: Universal Uclick, the world’s largest independent syndication company, announces the launch of UniversalUclick.com, a website designed to showcase the company’s diverse selection of comics, editorial cartoons, text features, games and puzzles available in print, online and on mobile phones worldwide. The new site […]
Brian Bassett’s Red and Rover has switched syndicates. The strip that was launched by the Washington Post Writers Group in 2000 is now a Universal Uclick feature. The announcement was made on GoComics.com. I noted that the legal fine print one each strip still states it’s distributed through Washington Post Writers Group. I’m told that […]