Xrthnty

This article includes a list of references, but its sources remain unclear because it has insufficient inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (October 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

United Media

Formerly	United Media Enterprises United Feature
Former type	Print syndication
Fate	merged into Universal Uclick
Founded	1902; 116 years ago (1902) as Newspaper Enterprise Association; began syndicating in 1907
Founder	E. W. Scripps
Defunct	2011; 7 years ago (2011)
Headquarters	United States, Chicago
Services	editorial columns and comic strips
Parent	E. W. Scripps Company
Divisions	Newspaper Enterprise Association (1902–1978) United Feature Syndicate (1931–1978)

United Media was a large editorial column and comic strip newspaper syndication service based in the United States, owned by the E. W. Scripps Company. It syndicated 150 comics and editorial columns worldwide. Its core businesses were the United Feature Syndicate and the Newspaper Enterprise Association. The Newspaper Enterprise Association once presented awards in professional and college football.

History

E. W. Scripps started his newspaper career in the 1885, and owned 22 newspapers by 1910. In 1897, he created two companies, the Scripps-McRae Press Association and the Scripps News Association. In 1907, he combined a number of news providers into United Press Associations as a rival to Associated Press.

On June 2, 1902, the new Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA), based in Cleveland, Ohio, started as a news report service for different Scripps-owned newspapers. It started selling content to non-Scripps owned newspapers in 1907, and by 1909, it became a more general syndicate, offering comics, pictures and features as well. It moved from Cleveland to Chicago in 1915, with an office in San Francisco. NEA rapidly grew and delivered content to 400 newspapers in 1920 and about 700 in 1930.^[1] At that time, it had some 100 features available.^[2]

United Feature Syndicate was formed in c. 1915.^[3] It became a dominant player in the syndication market in the fall of 1931 thanks to Scripps' acquisition of the New York World, which controlled the syndication arms of the Pulitzer company: Press Publishing Corporation and Metropolitan Newspaper Service^[3] (which unlike other syndicates were owned by the paper rather than being separate entities). An April 1933 article in Fortune described United Feature as one of the "Big Four" American syndicates (along with King Features Syndicate, Chicago Tribune Syndicate, and the Bell Syndicate).^[4] United Features and NEA both became successful distributors of newspaper comics in the 1930s.^[5] Boyd Lewis became the executive editor of NEA Service in 1945.

From 1936 to 1954, United Features published their own line of comic books, using their comic strip features as characters. After ending the line in 1954, most of their comics would be continued by St. John Publications.

In 1972, United Features Syndicate acquired and absorbed the North American Newspaper Alliance and the Bell-McClure Syndicate into its operations.^[6]

In May 1978 Scripps merged United Feature Syndicate and NEA to form United Media Enterprises.^[7][8]

In 1994, Jim Davis's company, Paws, Inc., purchased the rights to Garfield (including the strips from 1978 to 1993) from United Feature. The strip is currently distributed by Universal Press Syndicate, while rights for the strip remain with Paws.

On June 3, 2010, United Media sold their licensing arm, along with the rights to Peanuts, to Iconix Brand Group.^[9][10]

On February 24, 2011, United Media struck a distribution deal with Universal Uclick for syndication of the former company's 150 comic strip and news features, which became effective on June 1.^[11][12][13]

Syndicated comic strips before June 1, 2011

NEA Christmas strip

From 1936 to 2010, NEA produced an annual Christmas-themed daily comic strip for its subscribing newspapers as a holiday bonus.^[15] They typically ran for three to four weeks before Christmas, with the concluding installment on December 25 or a nearby date. Strip historian Allan Holtz notes over the years these strips have featured regular NEA characters, adapted classic Christmas stories, and original stories with single-appearance characters. The 1942 strip, "Santa's Victory Christmas," had a WWII-era theme of conserving raw materials to further the war effort and was drawn by Superman ghost artist Leo Nowak.^[16] The 1967 entry, Bucky's Christmas Caper, was written and drawn by famed comic book creator Wally Wood.^[17]

Discontinued UFS comic strips

Fritzi Ritz and Phil Fumble, Tip Topper no. 1, October, 1949.

• 
  Abbie an' Slats by Al Capp and Raeburn Van Buren ^[18]


• 
  Alice in Wonderland by Edward D. Kuekes and Olive Ray Scott (based on the Lewis Carroll book)^[19]


• 
  Berry's World by Jim Berry
  


• 
  Billy Make Believe by Harry E. Homan (begun 1934; end-date uncertain)^[20][21]


• 
  Buffalo Bill by Fred Meagher ^[22]


• 
  Bugs Bunny by Chase Craig, Roger Armstrong, Ralph Heimdahl, Brett Koth and Shawn Keller. ^[21]


• 
  Casey Ruggles by Warren Tufts ^[23]


• 
  Committed by Michael Fry
  


• 
  Cynical Susie by Laverne Harding and "Becky Sharp" (Helen Sharp) ^[24]


• 
  Dilbert by Scott Adams, moved to Universal Uclick
  


• 
  The Doodle Family (later Frankie Doodle) by Ben Batsford^[21]


• 
  The Dropouts by Howard Post ^[23]


• 
  Ella Cinders by Bill Conselman and Charles Plumb.


• 
  Eyebeam by Sam Hurt


• 
  Funny Side Up by Abner Dean
  


• 
  Gamin and Patches by Mort Walker ^[25]


• 
  Garfield, moved to Universal Press Syndicate
  


• 
  Gordo by Gus Arriola ^[26]


• 
  Grin and Bear It by George Lichty
  


• 
  Hap Hopper, Washington Correspondent by Jack Sparling, William Laas, Drew Pearson and Robert S. Allen .^[27]


• 
  It's Only a Game by Charles M. Schulz and Jim Sasseville ^[28]


• 
  Jim Hardy by Dick Moores ^[29]


• 
  John Carter of Mars by John Coleman Burroughs^[23]


• 
  Judge Wright by Robert Bernstein and Bob Fujitani ^[23]


• 
  Li'l Abner by Al Capp ^[30]


• 
  Long Sam by Al Capp and Bob Lubbers ^[31]


• 
  Mr. and Mrs. Beans (later retitled Buster Beans) by Robert L. Dickey ^[19]


• 
  Mitzi McCoy (later titled Kevin the Bold, then Up Anchor) by Kreigh Collins ^[21]


• 
  Oh! Margy by John Held Jr.
  


• 
  Ophelia and Jake by Heidi Stetson ^[32]


• 
  Peanuts, moved to Universal Uclick
  


• 
  Race Riley of the Commandos by Milburn Rosser ^[23]


• 
  Rudy by William Overgard ^[32]


• 
  Skylark by Elmer Woggon
  


• 
  Spunkie by Loy Byrnes ^[23]


• 
  Suzie View by Tauhid Bondia and Erik McCurdy


• 
  Tailspin Tommy by Hal Forrest ^[33]


• 
  Tubby by Doc Winner
  


• 
  Twin Earths by Oskar Lebeck and Alden McWilliams ^[23]


• 
  Up Front by Bill Mauldin ^[28]


• 
  U.S. Acres (AKA Orson's Farm or Orson's Place) by Jim Davis ^[34]


• 
  Wee Pals, moved to Creators Syndicate
  


• 
  Wright Angles by Larry Wright
  

Discontinued NEA comic strips

• 
  The Affairs of Jane by Chic Young
  


• 
  Ben Casey by Neal Adams and Jerry Capp


• 
  Benjy by Jim Berry
  


• 
  The Bicker Family by R.W. Satterfield


• 
  Biff Baker by Ernest "East" Lynn and Henry Schlensker


• 
  Brenda Breeze by Rolfe Mason


• 
  Boots and Her Buddies by Edgar Martin
  


• 
  Chris Welkin—Planeteer by Art Sansom and Russ Winterbotham
  


• 
  Eek & Meek by Howie Schneider
  


• 
  Flapper Fanny Says by Ethel Hays
  


• 
  Freckles and His Friends by Merrill Blosser
  


• 
  Herky by Clyde Lewis


• 
  J. Rabbit, Esquire by Bill Holman
  


• 
  The Little People by Walt Scott


• 
  Mom 'n Pop by Loron Taylor and Wood Cowan ^[23]


• 
  Morty Meekle (later Winthrop) by Dick Cavalli
  


• 
  Myra North, Special Nurse by Charles Coll and Ray Thompson^[23]


• 
  Our Boarding House by Gene Ahern ^[35]


• 
  Out Our Way by J. R. Williams ^[23]


• 
  The Outbursts of Everett True by A.D. Condo and J.W. Raper


• 
  Priscilla's Pop by Al Vermeer
  


• 
  Robin Malone by Bob Lubbers ^[31]


• 
  Salesman Sam by George Swanson ^[23]


• 
  Short Ribs by Frank O'Neal
  


• 
  Star Hawks by Gil Kane and Ron Goulart ^[36]


• 
  The Story of Martha Wayne by Wilson Scruggs ^[23]


• 
  Vic Flint by Ernest "East" Lynn and Ralph Lane ^[37]


• 
  Wash Tubbs and Captain Easy by Roy Crane ^[4]

Syndicated editorial cartoons

• Robert Ariail


• Bill Day


• Bill Schorr


• Ed Stein


• Mike Lester


• Henry Payne


• Jerry Holbert


• Rob Rogers


• Jeff Stahler


• Matt Bors

Web features

These are published on GoComics:

• Jane's World


• Minimum Security


• Working Daze

Syndicated columns

• 
  Miss Manners by Judith Martin
  


• 
  NextSteps by Jan L. Warner and Jan K. Collins


• 
  Sense & Sensitivity by Harriette Cole
  


• 
  Among Friends by Tad Bartimus
  


• Byron York


• 
  Cokie Roberts and Steven V. Roberts
  


• Diana West


• Dick Kleiner


• Donald Lambro


• Gene Lyons


• Harper's Magazine


• Kathryn Jean Lopez


• Mary Mitchell


• Morton Kondracke


• The New Republic


• Salon


• 
  Sweet Land of Liberty by Nat Hentoff
  


• From Consumer Reports
  


• Harvey Mackay


• 
  Smart Money by Bruce Williams
  


• 
  Talking Money with Jean Chatzky
  


• 
  workplace911 by Bob Rosner
  


• 
  Ask Mr. Know-It-All by Gary Lee Clothier
  


• Starlight


• 
  Tune in Tomorrow by Nancy Reichardt
  


• 
  Tune in Tonight by Kevin McDonough
  


• 
  World Almanac Databank


• 
  You Be the Critic by Bob Habes
  


• 
  Soap Opera Review by Nancy Johnson (columnist)
  


• 
  Desperation Dinners by Beverly Mills and Alicia Ross (columnist)
  


• 
  Cook Well, Eat Well by Dana Carpender
  


• 
  Eat in and Save by Marialisa Calta
  


• 
  On Nutrition by Ed Blonz
  


• 
  The Aces on Bridge by Bobby Wolff
  


• 
  NEA Bridge by Phillip Alder
  


• 
  Dr. Gott by Peter Gott
  


• The Harvard Medical School Adviser


• 
  Astro-Graph by Bernice Bede Osol
  


• 
  Your Birthday by Stella Wilder
  


• 
  Your Stars This Week by Stella Wilder


• 
  Frugal Living by Sara Noel
  


• 
  First Aid for the Ailing House by Henri deMarne
  


• 
  The Housing Scene by Lew Sichelman
  


• 
  The Village Idiot by Jim Mullen


• 
  A+ Advice for Parents Helping Your Child Succeed in School by Leanna Landsmann
  


• 
  Parent-to-Parent by Betsy Flagler
  


• 
  Parenting by the staff of Parenting Magazine
  


• 
  Animal Doctor by Michael Fox, D.V.M.
  


• 
  On Religion by Terry Mattingly
  


• Win, Lose & Drew

Syndicated puzzles

• Today's Daily Crossword


• Today's Sunday Crossword


• KenKen


• Sudoku


• Kakuro

Licensed properties

• 
  El Chavo^{[citation needed]}


• Precious Moments


• Raggedy Ann

Discontinued features

• Mary Margaret McBride


• 
  Herblock (1933–1943)


• 
  John Fischetti (1951–1962)


• 
  Washington Merry-Go-Round by Drew Pearson and Jack Anderson
  


• 
  My Day by Eleanor Roosevelt
  

NFL awards

Beginning in 1954 the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA), under the guidance of Murray Olderman,^[38] began to poll NFL players and award what became known as the Players' All-Pro team. In addition, the NEA awarded a Rookie of the Year, a Most Valuable Player (since 1955), and a Defensive Player of the Year (George S. Halas Trophy; 1966–96). All were accepted as official and were published in the NFL Record and Fact Book alongside the Associated Press, United Press International, and the Pro Football Writers Association All-Pro teams and awards. The NEA last announced awards in 1997 and last had an All-Pro team in 1992, ending a 34-year tradition of the "Player's All-Pro Team". (The NEA list's successor, the Sporting News All-Pro team, currently polls players along with coaches and managers for its teams.) From the early 1980s the NEA All-Pro team was released in the World Almanac which was an NEA publication.

The NFL MVP award was called the Jim Thorpe Trophy and began in 1955 (not to be confused with college football's Jim Thorpe Award). The Defensive Player of the Year was named after Chicago Bears founder George S. Halas and its inception was 1966, the Rookie of the Year award was named after NFL commissioner Bert Bell and began in 1964. In the early 1960s the NEA began awarding the Third Down Trophy that symbolized each team's MVP. That began in the American Football League and included the NFL after the 1970 AFL-NFL merger and ran through 1979. Currently^[when?] the Jim Thorpe Trophy is still awarded, through the Jim Thorpe Association of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.^{[citation needed]} It is awarded to the NFL Most Valuable Player and is voted upon by members of the NFLPA.

Olderman, the driving force behind the Players' All-Pro teams and awards, was also a fine artist and cartoonist. When the NEA news service released its stories on the annual NFL awards they were accompanied by artwork provided by Olderman to illustrate the stories.

College football awards

NEA was the selector of All-America teams, a practice that ended in 1992.

References

External links

• United Media


• United Feature Syndicate/Newspaper Enterprise Association official site


• List of NEA Christmas strips (1936–2010), with credits


• United Media (.ca) – a Canadian video, photo and documentation production company since 2009