About

Talent, Recognized:

Our story began in 1970, when Jim Andrews and John McMeel founded Universal Press Syndicate. Doonesbury debuted that year, Ziggy came along one year later and Dear Abby jumped on board in 1980. The rest, as they say, is history. Over the years we've attracted and acquired some of the world's most recognizable brands, with millions upon millions of loyal followers. Andrews McMeel Syndication formed in 2009 after the merger between Universal Press Syndicate and Uclick, which today operates as a single powerful media organization designed to help you reach massive audiences through integrated print, online and mobile products. The lineup we offer is diverse and of exceptional quality, continually serving the popular informational and entertainment needs of our time.

Mission:

To actively pursue and acquire the best creative talent, and to foster, distribute, and market this talent with the intent of informing and entertaining people around the world.

History:

  • 1970: Universal Press Syndicate (UPS) is founded by Jim Andrews and John McMeel
  • 1970: Doonesbury debuts
  • 1972: Ziggy debuts
  • 1973: UPS establishes the book publishing division Andrews McMeel Publishing
  • 1975: Garry Trudeau wins Pulitzer Prize for Doonesbury
  • 1976: Cathy joins the funny pages
  • 1979: For Better or For Worse debuts
  • 1980: Dear Abby and Pat Oliphant join the UPS family
  • 1984: The Far Side comes to UPS
  • 1985: Calvin and Hobbes arrives in newspapers
  • 1987: Roger Ebert begins syndication with UPS
  • 1988: Foxtrot, by Bill Amend, debuts to the delight of geeks everywhere.
  • 1989: News of the Weird joins UPS
  • 1992: Non Sequitur comes to the fold
  • 1994: Garfield joins UPS
  • 1995: Stone Soup begins syndication
  • 1996: UPS creates Universal New Media, which becomes Uclick
  • 1997: Company becomes Andrews McMeel Universal, parent to UPS, AMP and Uclick;
    Universal Crossword and The Motley Fool debut.
  • 2003: AMUSE (Andrews McMeel Universal Syndicated Entertainment),
    the film and television division of AMU, is founded
  • 2005: Universal Sudoku becomes top Sudoku Game
  • 2006: Lio joins the UPS family and becomes an instant hit
  • 2007: Cul de Sac debuts and becomes a family favorite
  • 2008: AMU establishes headquarters in the historic Boley Building, in downtown Kansas City, MO
    The Argyle Sweater arrives
  • 2009: Universal Press Syndicate and Uclick merge to form Universal Uclick (UU)
  • 2010: Atlantic Syndication merges with Universal Uclick; Blockbuster strip Peanuts join UU
  • 2011: UU becomes syndication manager for United Feature Syndicate, bringing a host of award-winning content to UU