Toni Mendez

Toni Mendez (November 2, 1908 - March 9, 2003) was an agent for writers and cartoonists handling negotiations, licensing and syndication/secondary rights agreements. In addition she became secondary rights representative of all properties for Field Enterprises, Newspaper Enterprise Association and Publishers-Hall Syndicate. Mendez played a key role in the formation of the National Cartoonist Society and was involved with the now defunct Newspaper Features Council. Among her numerous clients were Milton Caniff, B. Kliban and Frank Willard. She was involved with negotiating media tie-in deals for television series such as Steve Canyon,Tom Corbett, Space Cadet and All in the Family. Mendez was known for her stylish hats.Ted Rall concluded the acknowledgement for Wake Up, You're Liberal! (2004) by stating "During the last few years of her long, interesting and important life, my agent Toni Mendez encouraged this project as only she could. Toni, here's to you; I hope I did well".

Born and raised in New York City, she briefly attended Columbia University before becoming a Rockette. She then had a solo dancing career and eventually became a choreographer. This led to her involvement with the American Theatre Wing Hospital Committee producing entertainment for hospitalized servicemen during World War II. She recruited cartoonists to give chalk talks, and the ensuing camaraderie they enjoyed doing them eventually encouraged creation of the National Cartoonist Society. As the trouble shooter for the association she gained experience that allowed a segue into a career (as Toni Mendez, Inc.) handling business affairs for cartoonists and eventually branching out to also handling writers and illustrators.

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