NEW YORK & WILTON, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Wiggles, the world’s premiere children’s entertainers, and Ruckus Media Group, the global children's digital media company, today announced a digital partnership under which Ruckus has been granted worldwide rights to develop storybook applications for iPhone, iTouch, iPad and Android-enabled mobile devices and tablets. The first three titles are slated for release worldwide with English language distribution through iTunes at the App store in April 2012, followed by additional Apple and Android releases later in the year.
The Wiggles have sold 24 million DVDs, 8 million CDs and 8 million books worldwide, perform before 750,000 fans each year (and more than 125 shows in North America alone last year), and can be seen on TV in more than 100 countries.
True to The Wiggles’ philosophy of “Wiggle and Learn,” an edutainment platform that teaches children while they’re having fun, the new Ruckus interactive storybooks will feature The Wiggles’ music, video and educational activities appropriately placed within the narrative stories so children can truly interact with the mobile digital experience.
The band’s early childhood educational training continues to influence the approach they take with their live shows, DVDs, programming on the pre-school television network PBS KIDS Sprout and The Wiggles Movie. "A lot of what we do comes from a child’s perspective," says Anthony Field (Blue Wiggle). "It’s got a lot to do with what songs are about and the language we use, and right from the start we gave a lot of thought to what was appropriate for children’s music based on what we know about childhood development."
"We are always interested in exploring opportunities that will expand our edutainment platform," says Mike Conway, Managing Director of The Wiggles. “We found Ruckus to be a perfect fit for making that a reality and are thrilled about the partnership. The Wiggles are eager to work together with Ruckus in developing these storybooks that will further encourage children to ‘Wiggle and Learn’.”
“Ruckus and The Wiggles share a commitment to delivering the highest quality children’s entertainment, guided by an understanding of and care for a child’s development,” says Rick Richter, CEO, Ruckus Media Group. “We are tremendously excited to bring our creative expertise to developing storybook applications for one of the world’s most popular, talented and trusted children’s entertainment leaders and to expand The Wiggles’ already strong digital presence.”
About Ruckus Media Group:
Ruckus Media Group introduces traditional storytelling for today’s ways of telling stories by creating applications for mobile devices that entertain toddlers to teens from their fingers to their minds, at home or on the road—and invite their imaginations to grow. Launched in September 2010, Ruckus is now home to 17 children’s interactive storybooks, including the iTunes-bestselling MY LITTLE PONY: TWILIGHT SPARKLE, TEACHER FOR A DAY, based on the ever-popular Hasbro toy characters; Parents’ Choice and Mom’s Choice award winners SPOT THE DOT by pop-up legend David A. Carter and CHUCK & FRIENDS: FRIENDS FOR THE LONG HAUL; About.com Readers’ Choice Award Winner and Best App award finalist A PRESENT FOR MILO, written and illustrated by Mike Austin; THE VELVETEEN RABBIT: TOLD BY MERYL STREEP and other Read-Play-and-Record-Along classic animated storybook apps; and forthcoming projects with Hasbro, Crayola, and other beloved brands. For a full listing of titles and additional information, see our website and the Ruckus Media Group iTunes page and follow Ruckus on Facebook and Twitter.
About The Wiggles
The Wiggles, the world’s #1 preschool entertainers, performed over 350 shows to more than 1.5 million fans since 2005 in the United States alone. The Wiggles perform over 200 shows annually across four continents. The Wiggles are seen on TV in over 120 countries worldwide. Fans can catch The Wiggles on television exclusively in the U.S. on 24-hour preschool network Sprout as hosts of Sprout’s Wiggly Waffle, which airs every weekday morning from 6:00 – 9:00 a.m. ET. The Wiggles have sold more than 23 million DVDs and videos, 7 million CDs and 8 million books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. You can also follow the gang on Twitter via Twitter.com/ItsWiggleTime or become a fan of their official Facebook page Facebook.com/TheWiggles.