Below is a Ruckus Media Group press release via
Business Wire:
Butch Hartman, Creator of the Hit TV Show the Fairly OddParents, to Create Original Interactive Content for Ruckus Media Group’s Digital Storybook Platform
"The Green Weenie: Pooch Patrol" the first of the Hartman Originals for Ruckus, to be followed by “Tickle Monsters”
WILTON, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ruckus Media Group, an independent family entertainment company, announced that Butch Hartman, creator of three hit animated Nickelodeon shows -- The Fairly OddParents, Danny Phantom, and the current #2 animated program on television with kids 2-11, T.U.F.F. Puppy -- will be launching two new digital-first intellectual properties to be released as interactive mobile storybooks for children with Ruckus Media Group and its Ruckus Reader platform. Ruckus has secured exclusive worldwide rights in all languages for all mobile devices to two new original animated properties. “The Green Weenie: Pooch Patrol,” the playable adventures of a courageous adventure-seeking weenie dog and his canine companions, will be released as interactive storybooks – iReaders -- for Apple’s iOS and other mobile devices later this year. “Tickle Monsters,” a tale of two brothers and the many fantastically ticklish creatures that live under their bed, will follow.“Chuck & Friends: Friends for the Long Haul”
“I’m all about entertainment and giving kids characters they’ll enjoy in all storytelling mediums,” says Butch Hartman. “The Ruckus direct-to-mobile projects allow me to try something different by reaching kids and families directly everyday and everywhere on mobile devices.”
“Butch Hartman is a proven hit-maker in the animation world and there’s no question his sensibility is perfect for a new category of Ruckus Reader stories. We’re so excited to give kids the opportunity to play with these new characters via games that complement the storylines. Partnering with Butch on these properties and bringing his creations to life with interactivity on the Ruckus Reader presents a unique opportunity,” says Jason Root, Chief Content Officer, Ruckus Media Group, “and we see this original content playing across many different platforms.”
The Hartman deal, brokered by The Gotham Group, Inc., a multi-faceted management and production company representing some of the most creative minds in Hollywood, introduces to the Ruckus program game-based storytelling, where the game is the inspiration for the story. “The Green Weenie” will be available on iOS devices and Nook in 2012.
About Ruckus Media Group:
Ruckus Media Group creates interactive applications for mobile devices designed to entertain and educate children ages 3-8. Launched in September 2010, the company's centerpiece is the Ruckus Reader (released April 2012 and as seen on the Today show), a breakthrough learning program for the iPad, showcasing digital storybooks that delight children with interactive content from the most popular names in entertainment (Hasbro, Crayola, SeaWorld, The Wiggles, Cyberchase, Dino Dan, Veggie Tales). Parents are provided with an innovative reading assessment tool and personalized feedback on their child's reading experience.
Previously released award winning digital storybooks include the #1 iTunes best-selling and Mom’s Choice Gold Award winner “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.
For a full listing of titles and additional information, see our website http://www.ruckusreader.com and the Ruckus Media Group iTunes page and follow Ruckus on Facebook and Twitter.
About Butch Hartman:
A household name in animation and entertainment, specifically children's television, Butch Hartman began his career as an assistant animator on An American Tail, directed cartoons and created his own shorts for What a Cartoon!, and also wrote and directed episodes of Dexter's Laboratory, Cow & Chicken and Johnny Bravo. In 1998, Hartman joined Nickelodeon to create and produce several cartoon shorts for the Oh Yeah! Cartoons series, including the Emmy Award-winning The Fairly Odd Parents. Hartman also created Nickelodeon's Danny Phantom and T.U.F.F. Puppy and is the only creator in Nickelodeon’s history who has had three hit animated shows on the network. For more information, follow him on Twitter.
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Contacts
Ruckus Media Group
Deborah Sloan, 978-684-5005 (o); 978-884-4758 (c)
deborah@ruckusmediagroup.com.
Also, from
Kidscreen:
Butch Hartman and Ruckus partner on new digital kids content
In a new deal brokered by The Gotham Group, mobile entertainment company Ruckus Media Group has tapped the talents of Butch Hartman, the creator behind hit Nickelodeon series The Fairly OddParents, Danny Phantom and T.U.F.F. Puppy, to launch two original digital-first animated kids properties.
Interactive storybooks (iReaders) for The Green Weenie: Pooch Patrol and Tickle Monsters will be released and Ruckus has secured exclusive worldwide rights in all languages for all mobile devices.
The Green Weenie: Pooch Patrol, set to launch on iOS, NOOK and other mobile devices later this year, follows an adventure-seeking wiener dog and his canine companions. Tickle Monsters, which tells the story of two brothers and the ticklish creatures living under their bed, will follow.
Both iReaders will feature game-based storytelling.
Tags: Butch Hartman, iReaders, mobile, Ruckus Media Group, The Green Weenie: Pooch Patrol, Tickle Monsters
