The Man Behind Ziggy

" That's -- at a popular comic strip ZE eighty -- cartoonist one of the longest running comic strips in history not bad for a guy who got its start as a greeting card character. And now graces the pages of over 600 newspapers mugs and calendars. And much more Tom Wilson is a cartoonist for thinking he joins us this morning with a look at what's next for the lovable character at first off thank you for joining us and it's a pleasure congratulations. 35 years. A wonderful milestone to reach in this very very turbulent economy right now talk to me about how you anyway your inspiration is and how it's gotten through the last 35."

" Here as well as the years have brought himself along through all of those years I think in the strength of his character has a lot to do it that he seems to find a place in people's hearts and they they loved him for so many years and he keep showing up for work every day in them morning paper with. But everybody haven't coffee so I think they're very familiar with the."

" I I certainly grown up would say you love Ziggy and -- seen -- growth from just a cartoon -- a full scale licensing brand talked about the business for growth of the cartoon business and how you been able to Grozny here the last 35 years. And what you're going to do for the next 35 years."

" How effective. Well they did everything backwards he's kind of guy he -- goes against the grain a lot of things he started out in licensing. Through greeting cards and came in syndication. Through the newspapers and comic strips afterwards usually feel that way around yeah. And he came on like gangbusters either out of the blue. I guess the country was ready for armor we were ready for that. From there he just -- phenomenally in licensing and -- I think we've done like 89000. Products over the years and the fact -- was still doing licensing today. In this come economy and as well as. After so many years as a --"

" Remarkable and you just think it inked a deal with American greetings correct coming a little bit about that deal."

" We're excited about that does he started out -- American greetings and greeting cards years ago and they was I think they sold fifteen million greeting cards. And he was a phenomenal they're so we're back home with American greetings from looking forward to a beautiful aren't coming out it started with Mother's Day and from there. We were looking to get back in the big time -- greeting cards."

" And so I see a look at some of the products that you guys and -- places his wonderful face on the calendar is -- are you looking to grow beyond listen and talk to me about the digital world and housing he has made it into an additional."

" Well well I'm a pen and paper kind of -- how the digital worlds always been a little intimidating to me but he seems to be fitting into it very well we're. We're we're looking at different deals and things as far as on line. Presents for him with different companies we have. Our syndicate works we -- for. Finding new areas for him to get into he's on line and a Lotta newspapers. So he seems -- made the transition for such a clumsy little."

" And done it quite well guess is he's not only you know commercial success he's also involved EU guys -- your company is also involved. In Philanthropic. Activities talked -- about the nonprofit. Involvement that you have."

" But that's -- that's a really big part of what -- is -- and it has been a natural place for him we've been with so many different nonprofit organizations over the years we're. -- folks here differ leukemia and lymphoma society. World food day. So many others and fact right -- times -- he's up on the billboard hat -- right there in the middle of town. For world. How proud of my -- make you feel them feel wonderful feeling I love it and -- love that the characters such a positive guy -- with all the tough stuff in the news there's always says there's always a smile somewhere in the funny pages and I I think with so many people with millions of people looking what you do you have a responsibility bring something positive thing in any way you can. That's your that your mandate."

" What a wonderful message certainly in these very difficult times last but not least let's talk about your memoir. Very quickly zigzagging as the book that you have just released. Talk to you very quickly about inspiration for this it."

" Came out of journal and it's very rise. It's it's. Nothing like I thought I would ever write but I am extremely proud of its touch people's lives it's brought. I'm excited to see what's happening just in the short time is -- now people see it as a friend. CD is of the character and a friend that brought me through tough times and -- when there are a lot of exciting stuff."

" All right thank you very much Tom Wilson the thing that I remember from from one -- calendar. Stressed is desserts and -- I'll always remember that thank you were."