AAEC News

AAEC Logo Redesign

To AAEC Members:

Our website redesign and rebuild is currently underway. Now is the time to consider updating our logo to reflect our times and our mission. In order to have our logo truly reflect our membership, we are encouraging interested cartoonists to submit rough concepts for our new logo. We want to be clear this is not a contest for solicited finished work. This is more of a collective brainstorm from our diverse group of creative thinkers. The only guidelines are as follows:

-Submissions can be VERY rough concepts, and can be done as scanned pencil lines or as digital sketches.

-Ideally we'd like to incorporate our evolving mission of free speech.

-We'd like the logo to reflect all types of cartoonists, traditional, digital and animated. We are not making this change because of the 'ink bottle' imagery. An ink bottle can be smartly used in a new logo concept, if it has a current feel.

-Please include at least one version spelling out the full name of our organization: "Association of American Editorial Cartoonists"

-To submit your design concepts (or send any questions), email the Logo Committee by Friday, May 27th: aaeclogo@gmail.com

-Please keep the attachments to under 5MB each, and send as many as you wish.

In early June, the AAEC board will narrow down the submissions and work to develop a final design. 

Political Cartoonists to Move Forward with North Carolina Convention

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DURHAM, NC — Amid the wave of job losses and high-profile concert cancellations in North Carolina, there is finally some good news for its beleaguered governor and state legislature. One group has decided not to pull its upcoming convention in the wake of the controversial law HB2: Political Cartoonists.

Pat McCrory and the GOP-controlled legislature will be gladdened to hear that the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists is standing firm in their commitment to hold their 2016 Convention and Satire Festival at Duke University in September.

"Other groups and companies are boycotting because that is the only way they can express a political opinion," said Adam Zyglis, the 2015 Pulitzer Prize winner for Editorial Cartooning, and current president of the AAEC. "Expressing an opinion is precisely what we do, so I say we should go to the heart of the controversy and speak out on this issue."

The upcoming confab, scheduled for Sept. 21-24 on the Duke campus, will gather together a hundred political cartoonists from across the United States and Canada to join with nationally-known comedians and satirists for four days of panels, exhibits and public shows.

"Cartoonists and comedians don't shy away from controversy — they embrace it. They run toward it," said festival co-host JP Trostle. "I'm sure Pat McCrory and politicians in Raleigh will be happy to hear we're bringing an entire convention of these people to their doorstep."

Zyglis added, "We will be gathering Association members' work on the HB2 issue, and finding ways to showcase these cartoons to the public. We're also talking with the NC Humanities Council on a joint event discussing the different angles and historical relevance of the recent controversy."

House Bill 2, also known as "the Bathroom Bill," has generated a nationwide backlash against North Carolina, and state-wide protests both for and against the measure. A reaction to a Charlotte city ordinance that would have allowed transgender people to use public restrooms based on their gender identity, the new law is seen by many people as discriminatory against the LGBT community.

It also blocks municipalities across the state from establishing their own anti-discrimination laws or increasing the minimum wage, and strips all workers of their right to sue an employer for discrimination in state courts. HB2 was added to the books after a rare special session of the state legislature, when it was written and signed into law by the governor in less than 12 hours. Legislators were given five minutes to read the bill in its entirety and discuss its merits.

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The Association of American Editorial Cartoonists will hold its 60th annual convention in Durham, North Carolina, from September 21-24, 2016, in conjunction with Duke University.

For more information, please contact Adam Zyglis, The Buffalo News, adamzyglis@gmail.com; JP Trostle, jape@nc.rr.com; Cullum Rogers, Indy Week, vcrogers@nc.rr.com; or Kevin Kallaugher, The Economist, kal@kaltoons.com.

Sunshine Week is approaching!

Calling all cartoonists! Come lend your talents to the cause of open government.

Sunshine Week is rapidly approaching. It's that time of year again when we are asked to submit 'freedom of information' cartoons for the greater good. Here is more info from the organizers:

Sunshine Week is mid-March every year. It's coordinated by the American Society of News Editors and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, but participants come from all media, government, schools, civic and nonprofit groups and other related areas. The idea is to get as many people as possible talking about, writing about, doing stuff about -- and drawing about -- the importance of open government and freedom of information.

Each year, SW provides an online Toolkit that includes editorial cartoons participants can use free (for the one week only). It's a tremendously generous contribution by the cartoonists and one that's used and appreciated, especially by smaller papers who might not be able to afford the work otherwise. You can see example from the past couple of years in The Vault (http://sunshineweek.rcfp.org/the-sw-vault/) on the Sunshine Week website.

Materials should be submitted prior to Sunshine Week. We can post cartoons during the week, but they are less likely to be picked up by participants. Please send high-res files to: sunshineweek@asne.org. Once the week is over, we'll remove the bigger files and leave only the "snapshots" so people can see them, but not use them w/out permission.

Cartoon the Vote

Dear AAEC members:

We've all been invited to participate in Cartoon the Vote, a new website designed to engage the electorate. Here is some info on how to get involved in this great cause:

What is Cartoon the Vote?

As explained here, the site aims to “draw” visitors into the election by pairing election-related cartoons with links to sites for voter registration, state and local ballots and with information about candidates and key issues.

Sara Thaves, the founder of the Cartoonist Group, started the site.  The site will source cartoons from the Cartoonist Group and from you, if you’d like to participate.  This invitation is extended to you as a member of the AAEC.

How May Your Cartoons be Added?

There is a two-step process.

1. Please e-mail cartoons (high-res, preferably) to images@popzow.com.   Sara will review and select from among the e-mailed cartoons.  Sara and her team may also reach out to you if they find a cartoon they’d like to include that has not been submitted.  Sara and her team will upload and keyword the cartoons so you won’t need to worry about that.

2. Before a cartoon is uploaded to Cartoonthevote.com, Sara will send a short agreement for you to sign.  The goal?  No surprises!

How Will Your Cartoons Benefit?

In a few ways:

1. A link to your site or to your syndicate to support your work.  For example, the “Go to the Cartoonist Group…”link herewill be replaced by one that says “Go here for more information about this cartoon.”  You will tell us where to direct the link.
2. You will be listed on this page and will also have a page devoted to your cartoons - such as this one.
3. There may be revenue generated from the site - although it is not a guarantee.  If so, you will share in that per the terms of agreement Sara will send to you.

The one thing that can be guaranteed is that your cartoons will be presented along with those of your peers in an environment that aims to gain more visibility for the cartoons while also encouraging political participation.  A “win-win.”  

What Else?

A Twitter effort to support the site is beginning - and Sara is working with Hannah Thornton for this.  You may hear from Hannah if you participate.  Hannah has some great ideas for different Twitter-related activities as the campaign progresses.  

Questions?

Call or e-mail Sara!  She may be reached at 206-747-2778 or sthaves@popzow.com.

 

ACC Convention in Toronto, May 5-8

Dear AAEC members:

Our Canadian comrades in ink have graciously invited us to attend their convention this year in Toronto. Here is the info from their president Wes Tyrell:

"To our good friends from America and around the globe,

We are finally very happy to report that booking has begun for our national convention in Toronto this May 5-8.

http://acc.format.com/convention-toronto-2016#1

For Booking at our Holiday Inn HQ, see the information below.

Please book early to enjoy cheaper rates and we must remind you that you are helping your association out by doing so. We have much to organize and every bit helps!

Contact us with any issues at all and if you can only attend single events we can accommodate you with a reduced fee.

If there is anyone that you feel should be joining us, please forward this email to them or let me know and I will. Spread the word!

We are proud to show off our great city and the wonderful guests that are coming and we wish to share it with as many people as possible.”

Send any questions to: canuckcartoons@gmail.com

Condolences

The AAEC Board wishes to extend our deepest condolences to our longtime friend and colleague Jeff Danziger upon the loss of his beloved wife Kim Gale on January 26. Kim was a lovely, vivacious, and brilliant companion and we offer our love to Jeff and his and Kim's families.

Letter from the AAEC President - 2016

Dear fellow American cartoonists, satirists, animators and graphic journalists: I’m Bullish on 2016, and you should be too.

Yes, the attack on the offices of Charlie Hebdo has in some ways altered the lens in which we view our craft. But in response to this and other assaults on the rights of cartoonists around the globe, we have strengthened our resolve as protectors of free speech. We have and must continue to remind the public of our vital importance to democracy and journalism, especially in light of such atrocities. That’s imperative to our mission and to the future survival of our great profession.

In 2015, we were fortunate to have the leadership of Jack Ohman, who held the reins on fiscal discipline after Matt Wuerker and Mark Fiore continued to right our ship financially. Jack believed in the power of using our voice as an organization for the greater good, and I plan to continue this practice to speak out for the rights of cartoonists. Rest assured that the brilliant Ann Telnaes also believes strongly in these principles, and will further this mission when she assumes the duties of the presidency in 2017. In addition to having the privilege of working beside Jack and Ann (two pillars in our industry), I’m honored to be able to serve all of you this coming year with the help of a high caliber Board: VP Matt Bors, Secretary Monte Wolverton, and Directors Steve Artley, Nate Beeler and Kevin Siers.

Looking forward, the ink bottle is truly half full. We are in the makings of a fantastic partnership with Duke University to celebrate our talents in Durham NC next September 21st- 24th (Bull Durham here we come!). We are lucky to have a dedicated team working to make it happen in Kal, JP Trostle and Cullum Rogers. In addition, we already have our 2017 meeting set for the Big Apple, hosted by Newsday and Matt Davies (you heard that right, a newspaper is actually hosting us).

Another exciting development in the works is the beginnings of a full website redesign and rebranding. Jack Ohman and I have both secured funds dedicated to making this happen. I have found a top rate boutique developer here in Buffalo who will fully bring our organization into the 21st century. The new site will be adaptive to mobile devices and have a slick new look, properly reflecting the professionalism and prestige of our group. The site will enhance both our ability to promote our craft and function as an organization. In coinciding with the redesign, I am announcing a member’s contest to redesign our organization’s logo. While the current logo will remain in the running, an ink bottle doesn’t quite capture the digital nature of much of our work. A new site calls for a new look, and who better to take on the task than a bunch of witty visual artists? More to come on this…

To summarize in the words of Trump: this year’s going to be Huge. I’ve assembled the greatest, most brilliant group of people, who love me, to fix everything. I’m building a firewall and putting all cartoonists in a database. We will have so much winning that you may get bored with it. Believe me. Oh and f*@# Megyn Kelly.

Until next time… Cheers!

—Adam Zyglis

AAEC Calls for Independent Investigation of LAPD's Rall Tape

The Association of American Editorial Cartoonists board calls for an independent investigation of the Los Angeles Police Department’s tape of former AAEC president and member Ted Rall's jaywalking stop in 2001. An impartial review of the tape of this incident is badly needed in this case.

Determining the truth in this matter is important to Mr. Rall's personal and professional reputation, and to the rights of journalists to freely express themselves. Furthermore, the Los Angeles Times should have demanded a higher standard of proof in this matter, and it is clear that Mr. Rall is owed a full and complete analysis of the 14 year old tape used to make a judgment about his actions.

Should an independent investigation determine that Mr. Rall’s version of the events is accurate, we call upon the Los Angeles Times to publicly apologize, and make restitution. If it is also determined that the Los Angeles Police Department or a member of the police union manipulated the tape, as Mr. Rall alleges, they also owe Mr. Rall an apology and restitution.

AAEC Convention 2015, Columbus, Ohio

It's time to make plans to come to this year's AAEC Convention in Columbus, Ohio! It will be held Thursday, Sept. 3, through Sunday, Sept. 6, and hosted by the OSU Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum and the Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD). Day programming and public sessions will be held at CCAD, with separate events at the Billy Ireland, which will open up its cartooning treasure vault for the convention. There will be a sit-down banquet and awards ceremony Saturday evening. We will update you soon with an outline of the convention schedule.
 
The AAEC secured a fantastic room rate of $109 a night at the Marriott Renaissance Columbus Downtown Hotel, which is blocks away from the events at CCAD. (Buses will be arranged for events at the Billy Ireland.) Located in the heart of Downtown, the Renaissance boasts a top-flight restaurant, Latitude 41, and a spacious, chic hotel bar. There are also many other restaurants, coffee shops, and bars within short walking distance.
 
To receive the AAEC room rate, make your reservations using the following link:
https://resweb.passkey.com/go/AAEC0915
 
You can also call Renaissance Enhanced Group Reservations at 877-901-6632. Guests will ask for Passkey Reservations and request the Association of American Editorial Cartoonist Room Block to receive the group rate of  $109 for a King or Double Queen room.
 
Please make your reservations soon to ensure you get a room and the AAEC rate!

For questions, please contact Nate Beeler at nate@beelertoons.com

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Nate Beeler
Editorial Cartoonist
The Columbus Dispatch
www.twitter.com/natebeeler

Farewell to a former AAEC president

The AAEC expresses its condolences to the family of Jack Jurden, the longtime editorial 
cartoonist for The Wilmington News-Journal. Jack died March 19, at age 88. Jack was the 
president of the AAEC from 1976-77, and was a popular figure for years at the conventions.