Ziggy 2014 Engagement Calendar
Tom Wilson has been drawing Ziggy since 1987. It seems to come very naturally to Tom, whose father created the cartoon in 1971. After studying graphic design at Miami University and fine art and illustration at Boston University, Tom graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Before devoting his full attention to cartooning and fulfilling his childhood dream of drawing Ziggy, Tom worked for Amtoy, a New York City toy company, as Director of New Project Development. He also went on to develop the internationally syndicated children's comic strip, UG.Tom pursues his ongoing passion for creative development as president of Ziggy and Friends, Inc., where he is in charge of both creating the comic for syndication and the licensed products program. In addition, Tom has lent his talents as a conceptual creative consultant at 'Trained-Brain' for Richard Saunders International. This is a world-renowned creative think tank that has been named the nation's No. 1 innovation consulting service for developing new brands and products for Fortune 500 companies. Tom has worked on branding programs for companies including American Express, Johnson & Johnson, The Ford Motor Company, Chrysler, Circuit City, Procter & Gamble, Hewlett-Packard, Hallmark, AT&T; and Walt Disney, among others.Tom has started a new company called Character Matters, specializing in developing world class characters for branding and licensing.About the senior Tom WilsonZiggy's founder and creator, the senior Tom Wilson, is no longer involved in the day-to-day Ziggy operation, but his heart and soul will always be a part of the loveable little character. During his career, Mr. Wilson, who was born August 1, 1931, demonstrated his vision in anticipating future trends in the marketplace. For more than 35 years, he served as a creative head at American Greetings where he was responsible for the development of many breakthrough card lines.A veteran of the licensing business, Mr. Wilson headed up the creative team that developed such character licensing blockbusters as Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears.Mr. Wilson is known as being a talented painter, whose works have appeared in exhibitions throughout the United States, including the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Society of Illustrations annual show in New York. He also made his mark in animation, with the Emmy Award winning special, 'Ziggy's Gift,' re-released in 2005.But perhaps most memorable of all, Mr. Wilson gave us Ziggy.