Universal Uclick to Distribute Peanuts Globally in Print, Online and Mobile
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (September 9, 2010) “They are the most beloved neighborhood characters in the history of the comics page “ and they are on the move!
Universal Uclick announces the addition of Peanuts by Charles Schulz, one of the world's most well-known and widely-syndicated comic strip franchises, to the fold of the world's largest independent syndication company. Through an agreement with Peanuts Worldwide Universal Uclick will distribute Peanuts in print, online and on mobile devices, effective February 2011.
"We are honored to represent this giant of the comic strip industry," said John McMeel, co-founder, chairman and president of Andrews McMeel Universal, parent company of Universal Uclick. "We firmly believe in the significance and vitality of comic strips as an art form, and Peanuts exemplifies those traits. In addition, Peanuts is a perfect fit with the tradition and reputation of the remarkable talents that Universal Uclick has represented, including such iconic strips as Calvin and Hobbes, The Far Side, Doonesbury, Garfield, For Better or For Worse, Cathy and Ziggy."
"This is a monumental occasion for Universal Uclick, as well as a significant step forward in the industry," said Hugh Andrews, vice chairman of AMU. "Integral to this agreement is the fact that AMU is an all-in-one syndication and publication partner. We provide unique opportunities to our creators with worldwide mobile, print and online syndication and licensing through Universal Uclick, in addition to books and calendars through Andrews McMeel Publishing. No other syndication partner can offer the range of services Universal Uclick has at its disposal."
Jean Schulz, widow of Charles M. Schulz, commented, "After recently acquiring my husband's copyrights with Iconix, we are pleased to be moving the syndication of the Peanuts comic strip to such a top industry player, especially since Universal has been such a long time publishing partner to the brand. We look forward to Universal's syndication of the Peanuts comic strip into traditional and new media applications so a new generation of readers and viewers can enjoy the message of Charlie Brown, Snoopy and all the Peanuts characters."
On October 2, 1950 the Peanuts comic strip launched in seven American newspapers. Little did anyone know the impact the brand would have around the world for decades to come. Nearly 60 years later, Peanuts animated specials have become a seasonal tradition, thousands of consumer products are available in virtually all retail channels, and the comic strip appears in over 2,200 newspapers, in 75 countries and 21 languages. Charlie Brown kicking the football, Linus and his blanket and Lucy leaning over Schroeder's piano are images to which everyone can relate. Phrases such as "Security Blanket' and "Good Grief" have become a part of the global vernacular.
Peanuts will join more than 200 comic strip and cartoon features on the Universal Uclick comics web portal, GoComics.com, and will be available in daily GoComics emails, which users can customize to include their favorite strips from GoComics.com. Users of the GoComics iGoogle gadget and Yahoo! widget will be able to add Peanuts to their selected titles. The strip will also be available on mobile devices including iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad through the GoComics mobile interface.
Andrews McMeel Publishing will continue to publish Peanuts calendars, which include the 2011 Peanuts Wall, Mini-Wall, Day-to-Day, Mini Day-to-Day, and Desk calendars, and in 2009 published Celebrating Peanuts: 60 Years, an anniversary tribute in a lavishly produced, large- format slip-cased volume.
About Andrews McMeel Universal (AMU)
Founded in 1970 by Jim Andrews and John McMeel, AMU comprises: Universal Uclick (UU), the world's largest independently owned licensed property and newspaper syndicate and the leading digital entertainment provider of humor, comics, editorial cartoons, daily games and text features for the desktop, Web and mobile phones; Andrews McMeel Publishing (AMP), an industry leader in trade, cookbook and calendar publishing and a staple on best-seller lists annually; and AMUSE (Andrews McMeel Universal Syndicated Entertainment), providing film and television opportunities for AMU creators and content in partnership with the William Morris Agency.
About PEANUTS Worldwide
The PEANUTS characters and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide LLC, a joint venture owned 80% by Iconix Brand Group, Inc. and 20% by members of the Charles M. Schulz family. Iconix Brand Group, Inc. owns, licenses and markets a growing portfolio of consumer brands including CANDIE'S (R), BONGO (R), BADGLEY MISCHKA (R), JOE BOXER (R), RAMPAGE (R), MUDD (R), LONDON FOG (R), MOSSIMO (R), OCEAN PACIFIC(R), DANSKIN (R), ROCA WEAR(R), CANNON (R), ROYAL VELVET (R), FIELDCREST (R), CHARISMA (R), STARTER (R) and WAVERLY (R). In addition, Iconix owns an interest in the ARTFUL DODGER (R), ED HARDY (R), ECKO (R), MARC ECKO (R), ZOO YORK (R), MATERIAL GIRL(TM), and PEANUTS brands. The Company licenses its brands to a network of leading retailers and manufacturers that touch every major segment of retail distribution from the luxury market to the mass market in both the U.S. and worldwide. Through its in-house business development, merchandising, advertising and public relations departments Iconix manages its brands to drive greater consumer awareness and equity.
Peanuts Worldwide Contact:
Melissa Menta (212) 293-8506
mmenta@peanuts.com
Universal Uclick Contact:
John Glynn
jglynn@amuniversal.com
Universal Uclick announces the addition of Peanuts by Charles Schulz, one of the world's most well-known and widely-syndicated comic strip franchises, to the fold of the world's largest independent syndication company. Through an agreement with Peanuts Worldwide Universal Uclick will distribute Peanuts in print, online and on mobile devices, effective February 2011.
"We are honored to represent this giant of the comic strip industry," said John McMeel, co-founder, chairman and president of Andrews McMeel Universal, parent company of Universal Uclick. "We firmly believe in the significance and vitality of comic strips as an art form, and Peanuts exemplifies those traits. In addition, Peanuts is a perfect fit with the tradition and reputation of the remarkable talents that Universal Uclick has represented, including such iconic strips as Calvin and Hobbes, The Far Side, Doonesbury, Garfield, For Better or For Worse, Cathy and Ziggy."
"This is a monumental occasion for Universal Uclick, as well as a significant step forward in the industry," said Hugh Andrews, vice chairman of AMU. "Integral to this agreement is the fact that AMU is an all-in-one syndication and publication partner. We provide unique opportunities to our creators with worldwide mobile, print and online syndication and licensing through Universal Uclick, in addition to books and calendars through Andrews McMeel Publishing. No other syndication partner can offer the range of services Universal Uclick has at its disposal."
Jean Schulz, widow of Charles M. Schulz, commented, "After recently acquiring my husband's copyrights with Iconix, we are pleased to be moving the syndication of the Peanuts comic strip to such a top industry player, especially since Universal has been such a long time publishing partner to the brand. We look forward to Universal's syndication of the Peanuts comic strip into traditional and new media applications so a new generation of readers and viewers can enjoy the message of Charlie Brown, Snoopy and all the Peanuts characters."
On October 2, 1950 the Peanuts comic strip launched in seven American newspapers. Little did anyone know the impact the brand would have around the world for decades to come. Nearly 60 years later, Peanuts animated specials have become a seasonal tradition, thousands of consumer products are available in virtually all retail channels, and the comic strip appears in over 2,200 newspapers, in 75 countries and 21 languages. Charlie Brown kicking the football, Linus and his blanket and Lucy leaning over Schroeder's piano are images to which everyone can relate. Phrases such as "Security Blanket' and "Good Grief" have become a part of the global vernacular.
Peanuts will join more than 200 comic strip and cartoon features on the Universal Uclick comics web portal, GoComics.com, and will be available in daily GoComics emails, which users can customize to include their favorite strips from GoComics.com. Users of the GoComics iGoogle gadget and Yahoo! widget will be able to add Peanuts to their selected titles. The strip will also be available on mobile devices including iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad through the GoComics mobile interface.
Andrews McMeel Publishing will continue to publish Peanuts calendars, which include the 2011 Peanuts Wall, Mini-Wall, Day-to-Day, Mini Day-to-Day, and Desk calendars, and in 2009 published Celebrating Peanuts: 60 Years, an anniversary tribute in a lavishly produced, large- format slip-cased volume.
About Andrews McMeel Universal (AMU)
Founded in 1970 by Jim Andrews and John McMeel, AMU comprises: Universal Uclick (UU), the world's largest independently owned licensed property and newspaper syndicate and the leading digital entertainment provider of humor, comics, editorial cartoons, daily games and text features for the desktop, Web and mobile phones; Andrews McMeel Publishing (AMP), an industry leader in trade, cookbook and calendar publishing and a staple on best-seller lists annually; and AMUSE (Andrews McMeel Universal Syndicated Entertainment), providing film and television opportunities for AMU creators and content in partnership with the William Morris Agency.
About PEANUTS Worldwide
The PEANUTS characters and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide LLC, a joint venture owned 80% by Iconix Brand Group, Inc. and 20% by members of the Charles M. Schulz family. Iconix Brand Group, Inc. owns, licenses and markets a growing portfolio of consumer brands including CANDIE'S (R), BONGO (R), BADGLEY MISCHKA (R), JOE BOXER (R), RAMPAGE (R), MUDD (R), LONDON FOG (R), MOSSIMO (R), OCEAN PACIFIC(R), DANSKIN (R), ROCA WEAR(R), CANNON (R), ROYAL VELVET (R), FIELDCREST (R), CHARISMA (R), STARTER (R) and WAVERLY (R). In addition, Iconix owns an interest in the ARTFUL DODGER (R), ED HARDY (R), ECKO (R), MARC ECKO (R), ZOO YORK (R), MATERIAL GIRL(TM), and PEANUTS brands. The Company licenses its brands to a network of leading retailers and manufacturers that touch every major segment of retail distribution from the luxury market to the mass market in both the U.S. and worldwide. Through its in-house business development, merchandising, advertising and public relations departments Iconix manages its brands to drive greater consumer awareness and equity.
Peanuts Worldwide Contact:
Melissa Menta (212) 293-8506
mmenta@peanuts.com
Universal Uclick Contact:
John Glynn
jglynn@amuniversal.com
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