In case you didn’t know, the Children’s Book Fair is underway this week in Bologna, Italy, where iOS developer FrogDogMedia has announced it’s joining forces with Germany’s zuuka! GmbH to create “the world’s largest publisher of mobile children’s entertainment.” Take that, Disney!
FrogDogMedia announced on Tuesday that the company is merging with Germany’s zuuka! GmbH to further build on the successful iStoryTime brand. Parents everywhere are already quite familiar with iStoryTime, who currently has more than 100 iOS children’s book apps available in 80 countries worldwide.
zuuka’s extensive library includes licensed characters from major entertainment companies such as DreamWorks, Cartoon Network, The Jim Henson Company, Random House and others. Mobile content is already prominent on the iPhone/iPod touch and iPad, and will soon be available on a wide range of Android devices including the Motorola Xoom, through both the Google Marketplace as well as Amazon Appstore.
“Joining two market leaders under the zuuka name provides content owners access to years of expertise and an international distribution network,” explains FrogDogMedia co-founder Woody Sears. “Our combined experience in development, design, audio and animation skills along with a long history of successfully executed self-published,
co-developed and white label projects ultimately makes us the perfect digital publishing partner for anyone with premier content.”
The combination of FrogDogMedia and zuuka aims to create a much stronger international market position for children’s e-book product. zuuka senior management will include the former CEOs of both separate companies, including FrogDogMedia’s Sears and Graham Farrar as well as Susanne and Dirk Busshart of zuuka! GmbH.
In addition to the company’s continued focus on licensed characters, the new zuuka will also introduce a number of original properties, including zuuka! GmbH’s Mika’s Adventure. Look for the new company’s offerings in the iOS App Store soon.
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