Gene Willis

Gene Willis is a lifelong resident of Kansas City, save 5 years away attending the University of South Carolina. Having been active in the Kansas City philanthropic and marketing/advertising industry since his college graduation in 1999. Willis has focused his career around entertainment and hospitality marketing and his charitable efforts around underprivileged children. Professionally, Willis has had the privilege for working for iconic brands such as Applebee's, AMC Theatres and its movie studio partners/film products, along with a major sports marketing architectural firm, HNTB.After spending 5.5 years in Film Marketing and creating partnerships with Entertainment Weekly, The Academy Awards and sports franchises (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA) for AMC Theatres, he became Director of Marketing at Andrews McMeel Universal's syndication company, Universal Uclick, in February 2012. He is responsible for relaying the brilliant stories of hundreds of comics and syndicated columnists to a new generation of enthusiasts. Properties include Calvin and Hobbes, Peanuts, Garfield, The Boondocks, Dear Abby and Miss Manners.As a child growing up in downtown Kansas City, KS, Willis was the product of wonderful mentors who uplifted him and seeks to "pay it forward" to others. His personal highlight of these efforts is his eight-year relationship with his "Little Brother" Mario (via the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program).In November 2012, Willis traveled to South Africa on a two-week mission/volunteer trip with the Oceans of Mercy charity, focusing on assisting children that are infected and affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country. The trip was to provide an early Christmas to both rural and shanty-town children in the Soweto and Transkei areas. This involvement was a part of his work as the Race Director for the charity's primary fundraiser, the Run For Mercy 5k/10k, which hosts over 1,300 participants annually.Willis is married to his wife of five years, Carrie, has two dogs and a love/hate relationship with running. He has completed three half-marathons and over three dozen 5k events.To Connect with Gene Willis & Universal Uclick (Division of Andrews McMeel Universal):Company Websites for Universal Uclick:www.AMUniversal.com  *Click onto the "Careers" tab top right to find out about employment opportunitieswww.UniversalUclick.comwww.GoComics.comFacebook:  www.facebook.com/gocomicswww.facebook.com/genewillisTwitter:  www.twitter.com/gocomicswww.twitter.com/genewillisLinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/pub/gene-willis/4/b46/b0aGene's Direct Email:[email protected]Direct Office Contact:Andrews McMeel Universal1130  WalnutKansas City, Missouri 64106816-581-7500Human Resources Direct Email:If you would like to apply please submit your resume to:  [email protected]