A Joint Statement on the Pulitzer Committee’s 2020 Award Decision
For Immediate Release
Contact: Kathy Hilliard, khilliard@amuniversal.com
Statement Regarding Pulitzer Committee’s Decision on 2020 Editorial Cartooning Award
A joint statement from Andrews McMeel Syndication, King Features and Creators Syndicate:
Kansas City, MO (June 16, 2021) Andrews McMeel Syndication, King Features and Creators Syndicate disagree with the Pulitzer Prize Committee’s decision to decline naming a winner in the Editorial Cartooning category after citing three finalists who were shortlisted for the prize. We stand by the finalists Ken Fisher (Ruben Bolling), Lalo Alcaraz and Marty Two Bulls and all the other editorial cartoonists who brought world events to life in 2020.
The Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning is the highest accolade that cartoonists in this field can receive. In choosing to name no winner, the Committee fails to acknowledge the hard work of so many editorial cartoonists, particularly the work of cartoonists from underrepresented backgrounds, in a year of tremendous social and political change. This decision diminishes the prestige of the award and is disrespectful to the cartoonists working in the field. We believe that editorial cartooning is a vital part of political journalism, and we will continue to support our creators and the work that they do in these challenging times.
About Andrews McMeel Syndication
Andrews McMeel Syndication (AMS), now in its 50th year, is the world’s largest independent newspaper feature syndicate. AMS is a division of Andrews McMeel Universal, an integrated media company based in Kansas City, Missouri, and home of iconic comics such as Calvin and Hobbes, Doonesbury, Peanuts, The Far Side® and Garfield, and contemporary favorites Sarah’s Scribbles, Breaking Cat News and Phoebe and Her Unicorn. Other divisions include a global publishing house (Andrews McMeel Publishing) and Andrews McMeel Entertainment, the film and television division. No matter the medium, our aim is to bring joy and inspiration to people’s lives through the work of our talented creators (andrewsmcmeel.com).
About Creators Syndicate
Creators represents writers and artists with 14 Pulitzer prizes. Founded in 1987 as Creators Syndicate, with the legendary editorial cartoonist Herblock, the company currently syndicates some of the most popular editorial cartoonists in the country, including Mike Luckovich, Michael Ramirez, Steve Breen, Chip Bok, Gary Varvel, Steve Kelley, Bob Gorrell, John Deering, Steve Benson and Andy Marlette. Creators also syndicates bestselling comic strips, such as Wizard of Id, B.C., Andy Capp, Heathcliff, Speed Bump and Rugrats. In 2013, Creators started Creators Publishing and has since published more than 200 books, including 17 Amazon bestsellers. The company is based in Hermosa Beach, California.
About King Features
King Features is a premier producer and distributor of the world’s most iconic intellectual properties and a leader in classic character licensing and franchise development. With one of the longest-running consumer products programs in the industry, King Features’ portfolio includes world renowned pop culture brands such as Popeye®, Cuphead, Flash Gordon ™, The Phantom ™, Hägar the Horrible, Moomin, Prince Valiant ® and Mandrake the Magician. King Features will produce The Cuphead Show! with Netflix Animation, set to debut in 2021. As content syndication specialists, the company distributes beloved comics such as Blondie, Beetle Bailey ®, Mutts ™ and dozens of others as well as columns, editorial cartoons and puzzles across multiple platforms and content providers around the globe. King Features is part of Hearst Newspapers, which publishes 24 dailies and 52 weeklies, including the Houston Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle and Times Union (Albany, New York), and operates local digital marketing services and directories.
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