Peanuts comic strip featuring characters Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Snoopy engaging in humorous dialogue about a roof notch and other antics, showcasing the playful essence of the series.

The world’s largest
independent syndicate

We distribute exceptional, entertaining and informational content to more than 400 international and 2,500 U.S. news outlets and are constantly mining and developing new talent. Our remarkable roster of diverse cartoonists and creators includes dozens of Pulitzer Prize, Reuben, Herblock and Emmy Award-winners.

Daily comics, editorial
features, puzzles and games

Stand-alone
puzzle books

Print, digital and
mobile solutions

Newspaper and e-edition pagination
from Andrews McMeel Pagination Service

1970s highlights

Black and white image of two smiling men in business attire sitting at a table, symbolizing collaboration and teamwork.

1970

Universal Press Syndicate (UPS) is founded by Jim Andrews and John McMeel

Cartoon illustration of a character with messy hair and glasses, looking pensive, featured on the About page to convey a thoughtful or introspective theme.

1970

Doonesbury debuts

Illustration of a friendly cartoon character with a round body and a cheerful expression, standing with hands clasped, set against a pink circular background, representing a welcoming atmosphere on the About page.

1972

Ziggy debuts

Logo of AMP, a professional organization, featuring stylized letters A, M, and P within a circular design, symbolizing unity and expertise.

1973

UPS establishes the book publishing division Andrews McMeel Publishing

Portrait of an older man with gray hair and glasses, smiling warmly, set against a light background.

1975

Garry Trudeau wins Pulitzer Prize for Doonesbury

Cartoon character with long hair excitedly eating cookies from a plate, holding a spoon, conveying a fun and playful mood on the

1976

Cathy joins the funny pages

Cartoon illustration of a cheerful couple giving thumbs up, representing the friendly and approachable vibe of the

1979

For Better or For Worse debuts

1980s highlights

Professional headshot of a smiling woman with short, styled blonde hair, wearing a red blazer and gold earrings, featured on the About page.

1980

Dear Abby and Pat Oliphant join the UPS family

Cartoon illustration of a cow with a serene expression, styled similarly to the famous Mona Lisa, set against a cloudy background. This whimsical art piece adds a humorous touch to the

1984

The Far Side comes to UPS

Cartoon character with spiky blonde hair and a red striped shirt, smiling and standing with arms outstretched, set against a green circular background.

1985

Calvin and Hobbes arrives in newspapers

Portrait of a man with glasses, featuring a neutral expression against a circular background, used on the

1987

Roger Ebert begins syndication with UPS

Child interacting with a cartoon dinosaur, showcasing a playful moment in a black and white illustration for the

1988

Foxtrot, by Bill Amend, debuts to the delight of geeks everywhere

1989

News of the Weird joins UPS

1990s highlights

Illustration of a young girl with blue hair and a skeptical expression, wearing a purple shirt featuring a cartoon character. The image conveys a sense of attitude and individuality, suitable for children's media or character design discussions.

1992

Non Sequitur comes to the fold

Cartoon character Garfield, an orange cat with a mischievous expression, raising one paw while standing against a light green background.

1994

Garfield joins UPS

Illustration of three women standing together, representing a supportive community on the About page. The central figure has curly hair and a welcoming smile, flanked by two women with different hairstyles, all dressed in casual attire.

1995

Stone Soup begins syndication

Uclick logo featuring a stylized swirl design and the word

1996

UPS creates Universal New Media, which becomes Uclick

Logo design featuring a minimalist face with two circular eyes and a rounded bottom, representing the brand's identity on the

1997

Company becomes Andrews McMeel Universal, parent to UPS, AMP and Uclick; Universal Crossword and The Motley Fool debut

2000s highlights

Logo of Amuse, featuring a stylized face design in blue and gray, representing creativity and engagement.

2003

AMUSE (Andrews McMeel Universal Syndicated Entertainment), the film and television division of AMU, is founded

Illustration of a Sudoku puzzle featuring a partially filled grid, with the word

2005

Universal Sudoku becomes top Sudoku Game

Cartoon character with spiky hair and oversized glasses, holding a beaker and looking inquisitive, representing a playful approach to science and experimentation on the About page.

2006

Lio joins the UPS family and becomes an instant hit

Illustration of a young girl with short brown hair wearing a pink dress, featured on the

2007

Cul de Sac debuts and becomes a family favorite

Historic building facade featuring modern glass architecture, prominently displaying the Universal logo, located in an urban setting.

2008

AMU establishes headquarters in the historic Boley Building, in downtown Kansas City, MO; The Argyle Sweater arrives

Logo of Universal Uclick, a company specializing in digital content and syndication services, displayed prominently on the About page.

2009

Universal Press Syndicate and Uclick merge to form Universal Uclick (UU)

2010s highlights

Snoopy, the iconic beagle from the Peanuts comic strip, happily walking with a carefree expression, set against a light purple circular background.

2010

Atlantic Syndication merges with Universal Uclick; Blockbuster strip Peanuts joins UU

Logo of United Media, featuring a split design with the text

2011

UU becomes syndication manager for United Feature Syndicate, bringing a host of award-winning content to UU

Professional portrait of two men in smart attire, standing together against a dark background. The man on the left wears glasses, a dark suit, and an orange tie, while the man on the right has spiky hair and a dark shirt. This image is featured on the

2013

WuMo, by Mikael Wulff and illustrator Anders Morgenthaler, enters syndication with the largest starting list of newspapers in company history

A young girl with freckles sits on the back of a cartoon unicorn, both looking curiously at each other. The background features a soft purple hue, enhancing the whimsical theme of friendship and imagination.

2015

Phoebe and Her Unicorn, by Dana Simpson, launches in syndication

Logo of Andrews McMeel Syndication featuring a stylized letter

2017

Universal Uclick becomes Andrews McMeel Syndication; Breaking Cat News, by Georgia Dunn, launches in syndication

Cartoon illustration of a cheerful young boy with short brown hair and a big smile, wearing a black t-shirt, set against a circular white background.

2018

Wallace the Brave, by Will Henry, launches in syndication

2020s highlights

Logo celebrating 50 years of service, featuring a stylized face and the number 50 prominently displayed.

2020

Andrews McMeel Universal celebrates its 50th anniversary

Cartoon character of a cheerful young boy with curly hair, wearing an orange t-shirt and black shorts, standing with hands in pockets against a white circular background.

2022

Baby Blues, Pickles, Loose Parts, Sherman's Lagoon and Mike du Jour join AMS; Crabgrass, by Tauhid Bondia, debuts in syndication

Portrait of an older man with gray hair and glasses, smiling warmly, set against a light background.

2023

Garry Trudeau is inducted into the Eisner Hall of Fame

Cartoon characters holding a sign that reads

2024

Legendary comic panel The Lockhorns joins AMS

Cartoon sloth holding a green drink with a small umbrella, symbolizing relaxation and leisure on the

2025

All 6 cartoonists nominated for the 2024 Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year came from our roster of creators; Mark Parisi of Off the Mark took home the prize

Illustration of a cheerful cartoon girl with curly hair and a bow, wearing a black top and a plaid skirt, symbolizing a playful and youthful spirit on the

2026

Caroline Cash takes over as Nancy cartoonist