Cleveland, OH – (May 6, 2009) – Ziggy, possibly the most successful correspondence character in history, has signed and sealed a new licensing deal with American Greetings that will deliver the world’s most optimistic everyman to greeting card aisles everywhere, for every occasion.

An agreement between Universal Press Syndicate Licensing, licensors of Ziggy, and American Greetings is in effect immediately for Ziggy cards to be available now.

Tom Wilson , cartoonist of Ziggy, said, “I can’t say enough about American Greetings’ enthusiasm to have the new Ziggy cards available so quickly. The card line is a wonderful, high-quality design that Ziggy fans are certain to embrace. We are very excited to have the new cards for everyone to enjoy soon.”

Created in 1971, Ziggy was one of the first characters ever to be initially developed as a greeting card character. He quickly made his way to newspaper pages and syndicated by Universal Press Syndicate, a division of Andrews McMeel Universal . Tom Wilson of Cleveland , Ohio , has drawn and written Ziggy since 1987, after the retirement of his father, the senior Tom Wilson . By 1987, Ziggy greeting cards were selling 50 million cards annually. Today, Ziggy reaches an audience of 75 million readers daily, published in more than 600 newspapers, and maintains an online presence through www.ZiggyZone.com and www.uclick.com. American Greetings joins several other licensees for Ziggy merchandise that includes apparel, gifts, and publishing, among other categories.

Ziggy's inspiring message extends to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, where he serves as the full-time official SpokesCharacter; World Food Day, where Wilson creates an annual comic panel to support the cause; and the Earth Day Network, where Ziggy panels promote useful green tips and color-me-in vignettes for children.

For ZIGGY Licensing Information, Contact:
Sarah DeCoursey , Andrews McMeel Universal Licensing; T: 816-932-6733 ; E-Mail:sdecoursey@amuniversal.com

Ziggy & Freinds, Inc. Contact:
Greg Walsh, Walsh Public Relations, T: 203-292-6280; greg@walshpr.com