Computious® Cartoon Character Re-emerges, Wins Quick Praise on Zazzle

Irvine, CA - September 26, 2006 — Computious®, a brick-and-mortar cartoon character who was ahead of her time in conquering the digital age, was re-launched online today in Zazzle’s Design & Gift Gallery, but with a bit of caution. The creator, Marie Meade, declared, “We said Computious® — who is a humorous girl — not Confucius, even though the names rhyme!”

Computious® is a cute American with subtle Asian features who doesn’t look anything like the Chinese philosopher Confucius. However, the girl who lives in 2006 and the sage who lived from 551 to 479 B.C. have much in common.

“She overcomes computer problems while being lighthearted and philosophical about life in general,” said Meade. “Computious® is ‘The Everyday Sage of the Digital Age,’ and as a global citizen she combines Eastern sensibility with Western computer savvy-ness.”

“Despite computer frustrations, Computious® would never strike at the high-tech world in a mean-spirited way, reflecting the attitude of the elder Confucius who believed in ethical conduct,” said Meade. “For example, Computious® would not become a hacker or spammer.”

Computious® shares astute observations with Mei Mei™ (“little sister” in Mandarin), her loyal follower; Dot Complicated™ who is a pal but makes things, well, complicated; and Serge deFault™ who is a geekish friend suffering from weak social skills.

Her animal friends include Sweet & Sour™, a cute pig who likes to sleep; Ping Pong the Panda Bear™ who's just lovable; C.C. the Cat™, who is curious and mischievous; and Elton the Elephant™ who never passes up a party.

“The characters are safe and warm,” said Meade. “They offer a fanciful look at computers, how you might dress while in a chat room, and how to deal with bizarre computer situations. And while Computious® is tech-savvy and likes nerds, she isn’t nerdy enough herself to wear a pocket protector.”

Visitors to the Computious® product line at Zazzle have already praised the “good pizza” and “Cyber-Horror” shirts, a Christmas Card, and an Anniversary Card (all voted “Today’s Best’). The Top 10 Apparel View for Sept. 15 was the T-Shirt “Keyboard of the Rich and Famous,” and others praised a Dot Complicated™ mug (“very beautiful”) and a grand-piano birthday card.

The Computious® product line includes more than 100 gift items (with more in the pipeline) at the easy-to-use Zazzle site at http://www.zazzle.com/computious*

Categories include Animals, Christmas, Philosophical Musings, Music, Special Occasions and Everyday Technology. Sub-groups include Food (Pizza and Chocolate) and Sleep.

Customers can personalize all products (except for postage stamps), with names and messages that Zazzle creates within 24 hours and ships by the following day.

Colorful items include Computious® apparel for men, women and children (T-shirts, polo shirts, premium shirts, sweatshirts, nightshirts, baby-wear), mugs (travel mugs, steins, and ceramic), posters, greeting cards (some are updated designs from the strongest-selling paper cards), and postage stamps. The USPS-authorized stamps (larger than normal) are available in the most common denominations ($0.24 to $4.05), including the $0.39 first-class stamp. Volume discounts are available.

At Zazzle, Computious® items share “digital shelf space” with collections from the Walt Disney Company, Mattel, Warner Brothers’ Looney Tunes, Lucasfilm’s Star Wars, Marvel Comics, Twentieth Century Fox’s Family Guy™, Neopets, Build-A-Bear Workshop and MGM’s Pink Panther.

The re-emergence of Computious® coincides with a move to provide positive motivation to females to pursue computer and software careers. Computious® is a poster child to inspire girls to pursue careers in the computing professions, especially since the Computing Research Association reports female enrollment in computer science programs has plunged in recent years.

“Consider Computious® an ally in narrowing the digital gender gap,” said Meade. “Computious® “and her friends are the only ‘Peanuts’-type group of characters immersed in and becoming victorious over computer-age life. Talk about niche appeal! Also, consumers like brands that are distinguishable by a single word and Computious® fills the bill.”

“The trademarked characters are available for licensing and we are open to establishing strategic alliances,” said Meade. “It's estimated that at least 51 million U.S. women and girls are online, many of whom will easily connect to Computious® and her winning ways. Are you listening Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Gateway, AOL?”

Marie Meade created Computious® while studying in Taiwan (she is half Chinese). Upon return to the United States, she started out in the social expressions industry designing the Computious® greeting-card line, writing all copy and drawing the illustrations, exhibiting at the New York Stationery show and similar venues, and working with Sales Representatives to place the line in retail outlets across 32 states and Canada. She has an MBA in Marketing and a Sales background.

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