Archive for October, 2010

Weekly Ruckus Wrap-Up

Posted by ruckusholly on October 29th, 2010

by Holly Fink, Ruckus Media Staff Marketing Specialist

10/29/2010

This week was jam packed with activity here at Ruckus.

We got some favorable reviews and mentions over at Ain’t Yo Mamas Blog, Ma Vie Et Mon Joie, Sensible Cents, Moms with Apps and Cool Mom Picks.  Moms with Apps said that “if book apps can work together with parents to enliven a family dinner conversation, or blaze a trail to the local library, well, then we’re on to something.”  Cool Mom Picks said that “one of the very, very best things about the apps is that they can grow with your kids with three different settings: kids can listen to the story and watch the animation; they can read it themselves; or they can record their own voices reading the story, then play it back.”

We were also featured in Wired Magazine’s Geek Dadcolumnin which Rick is quoted several times, and we were named “one of the new, big kids on the block.”

Rick and Jim were guests on Blog Talk Radio’s show “I Love Authors,” and Rick was on another Blog Talk Radio show called “Time Out Mom“.  Both were hosted by Melissa Lierman and were lively discussions about what we’re doing and how we envision the future of kid’s apps and Ruckus.  To learn more about our philosophy and plan, listen to both!

Freelance writer Gale Pryor and Jill Smokler of ScaryMommy.comjoined our blog as contributors, and we launched their weekly columns.

Lastly,we wrapped up a successful week-long Twitter contest with Lucy’s and Willette Designs.  We had over 150 entries and a great deal of buzz on our feed.  Stay tuned to hear about other exciting promotions and giveaways on our blog, Facebook and Twitter.

Jill’s Corner: Sharing Custody of the iPhone

Posted by admin on October 28th, 2010

by Jill Smokler of Scary Mommy, Ruckus Media Contributing Writer

10/28/2010

Scary MommyHello, everyone! My name is Jill, but I’m better known as Scary Mommy. My son coined the phrase during a short-lived phase when he was terrified of absolutely everything. He’s better now, but the name stuck. I blog over at Scary Mommy and am thrilled to be posting weekly here, as well. Please, leave your thoughts in the comments, along with any ideas for future posts. I’m excited to get to know you all!

I’ve been involved in a love affair with my iPhone for the last 2 years. It’s cute, it’s convenient and it fits so nicely in my back pocket. My whole world of social media is just a click away at all times. It’s the first thing I see when I wake up in the morning and the last site I see before my head hits the pillow. It’s true love.

Up until a few weeks ago, I had successfully kept my children away from my beloved phone. They knew it was off limits, and that was that. They had their toys and I had mine. Period. Until the moment of weakness I had during my middle son’s endless soccer game. My oldest and youngest child were bored to tears and starting to get really antsy. With an hour to go, I was desperate. I pulled out my phone and downloaded my very first app geared towards children. Not surprisingly, it was love at first sight for them as well. They were enraptured.

That one afternoon led to another and another and now I basically share custody of the phone with a million times better than I ever will. She can read me to sleep any night. It’s kind of a miracle. What on earth took me so long?

What about you? Do your kids use your smart phones? What have your experiences been?

Keeping a Child’s Learning and Growing in Balance

Posted by admin on October 26th, 2010

by Gale Pryor, Ruckus Media Contributing Writer

10/26/2010

What excites a two-year-old child? Peering at a line of ants marching down the sidewalk. A basin of soap bubbles. A fistful of mud. And, as any parent with an iPhone or iPad knows, mobile touch screen devices.

boy with iphoneToddlers and preschoolers are learning machines. Their eyes light up and fingers get busy when they come across any opportunity to see and do and hear something new, to practice and perfect their skills, to connect those synapses. Is it cause for concern, then, when a young child is as eager to play with a favorite app on mom’s iPhone as he is to stomp in a puddle or build with blocks? Do even the best apps and touch screen interfaces provide the same quality of learning fun as more traditional playthings?

Recently the New York Timesreported the popularity of iPhones among toddlers and their busy parents. The piece also reported a vague concern among child development experts about yet another electronic screen to distract children from essential hands-on playtime.  One expert wonders if a “fixation on the iPhone screen every time a child is out and about with parents will limit the child’s ability to experience the wider world”?

At Ruckus, we share that concern. We love watching our own kids explore the world with all their senses (especially when it involves mud). We love seeing their excitement when they make a discovery or master a skill. We want to provide our children with as many of those moments as possible in which they are enthralled, all eyes and fingers and synapses engaged. Sometimes those moments arrive in the middle of a mud puddle, and sometimes when they touch a screen and click on an app.

The world is changing, and the many ways kids learn along with it. A century ago, parents told their children stories at bedtime because they didn’t have libraries of picture books by Rosemary Wells, Jon Scieszka, Andrew Clements and other extraordinary talents. Today, parents and experts alike consider reading picture books—and lots of them—with young children essential to shaping lively, curious minds. At Ruckus, we’re keeping pace with a swiftly evolving world by bringing wonderful storytelling to mobile platforms, one we hope parents will enjoy alongside their children. The new devices finding their way into velveteen rabbit screenshotchildren’s hands simply open another door to engaging and enriching their minds.

Will iPhones, iPads and other devices “limit a child’s experience of the wider world”? That’s up to you, mom and dad. How do you keep your child’s learning and growing in balance? Select apps that truly enrich so that screen time is worthwhile. Give your child lots of time for other kinds of hands-on learning. Go lots of places. Talk about everything you see and do together. And don’t drop your iPhone in the mud.

So, we pose this question to you: How do you keep your child’s learning and growing in balance?   Please let us know in the comments section below!

Interview with our Partner, Kelly McMahon Willette, Owner of Willette Designs

Posted by ruckusholly on October 20th, 2010

by Holly Fink, Ruckus Media Staff Marketing Specialist

10/20/2010

This week we are honored to be working with Willette Designs on a special promotion that kicks off the launch of our new digital apps.  Ruckus Mobile Media and Willette share a lot in common.  For one thing, we both care about children and families, and for another, we both care about the preservation of memories via photography and images.  Willlette’s owner, Kelly McMahon Willette, is most known for her wonderful ability to capture a child’s spirit with her unique photography skills.

We recently talked to Kelly about her photography business and, of course, how much she loves her iPad.

Ruckus: What inspired you to start your own business?

Willette: When I had my son (over seven years ago), I needed an outlet for all my creative energy (and there was/is a lot!), so I started doing graphic design again….and it later evolved into photography.  Owning my own business allows me the flexibility of working when I want and how much I want (and I can work in the middle of the night if I so choose).

Ruckus: What are you most proud of?

Willette: I received the honor of being one of Hampton Roads Top 40 Under 40 for 2008 and was the Nickelodeon Television Parent’s Pick for Children’s Photographer for our area in 2008.  It feels great to be locally and nationally recognized for your work and business!  Recently, I began teaching online photography classes for parents called Finding the Joy.  The response to these classes surpassed anything I could ever dream of.  Teaching others how to photograph combines my two greatest career loves: photography and teaching!

Ruckus: What kinds of photos do you take and what are your favorite kinds?

Willette: I like to describe my photography style as classic, yet fun, children’s portraiture.  I love to photograph children wearing traditional and classic children’s clothing.  And I tend to shy away from photographic trends.  I love my portraits to capture the purity of childhood….so I keep them bright and happy.

Ruckus: Are you a digital apps user?

Willette: I’m a Droid user (but I yearn for the day that my cell phone provider has iPhones).  I LOVE LOVE LOVE my iPad.  I cannot imagine life without it now that I am completely addicted to it.  My iPad is loaded with apps for me and for the kiddos.  I even have an iPad case that mounts to my car’s headrest so the kids can watch movies while I drive.  Genius!  My current fave app is one called BlogShelf – this app allows me to follow all my fave blogs quickly!

Tune into Twitter to win one of our Ruckus Mobile Media storybook apps, a cookie prize pack featuring a variety of delicious gluten-free cookies from Lucy’s and Willette’s Photographer’s Bag O’Tricks.  The bag is vauled at $35 and includes twenty games that will entertain your youngest subjects at your next photography session.  The promotion ends tomorrow.

Interview with our Partner, Dr. Lucy Gibney of Lucy’s

Posted by ruckusholly on October 20th, 2010

by Holly Fink, Ruckus Media Staff Marketing Specialist

10/20/2010

This week Lucy’s, along with Willette Designs, are our partners in a special contest kicking off the launch of our new digital apps for kids.

We asked our partner, Lucy Gibney, MD, Founder and CEO of  Lucy’s, a few questions about her business – how she started it and, more importantly, about her delicious cookies.

Ruckus: What inspired you to start your own business?  Where did you get the idea?

Gibney: Making delicious, high quality foods for my son, Colin.  He was diagnosed with severe food allergies as an infant.  We want to share great foods with our family, friends and others who have special diets.

Ruckus: What is your background prior to starting the business?

Gibney: I am an ER doctor, now also a specialty food manufacturer.

Ruckus: What makes your cookies different from other cookies?

Gibney: Lucy’s cookies are all natural, gluten-free, and made without milk, eggs, peanuts or tree nuts.  We have a “dedicated bakery” where these allergens are never allowed.

Ruckus: What is your most popular cookie?

Gibney: Chocolate Chip.

Ruckus: Where are the cookies sold?

Gibney: Natural food, grocery, webstore and convenience locations across the U.S. and Canada.

Ruckus: What have been some of your major successes?

Gibney: Cookies with great taste and texture!  High quality.  A pretty package.  Building a great staff.

Ruckus: What have been some of your major challenges?

Gibney: Especially in our current economic climate, making ends meet while growing a business.

Ruckus: What is your balancing secret in managing a business and family?

Gibney: Loving and caring for each.  Multi-tasking and smiling.

Ruckus: What is your favorite cookie?

Gibney: Lucy’s Oatmeal.

Ruckus: What is your favorite children’s book?

Gibney: That’s a tough one; I love so many.  As the Mom of a six-year- old, this is my current genre.

Ruckus: What is next for your business?

Gibney: More treats!

Ruckus Mobile Media is thrilled to be involved with such a talented, inspiring company like Lucy’s – one that shares our passion for going after great ideas and providing wholesome food for children and families. Enter our drawing on Twitter today to win one of our Ruckus storybook apps, a cookie prize pack featuring a variety of delicious gluten-free cookies from Lucy’s and a Photographer’s Bag O’Tricks from Willette Designs.

Message from Jim

Posted by admin on October 19th, 2010

10/19/2010

Giving Kids What They Like Most in an App

Jim Young, Chief Operating Officer

Great stories, told well, is an art form that has endured the test of time. That’s why we’ve joined forces with Rabbit Ears Entertainment for our initial launch.  They share the belief that quality entertainment can enhance a child’s appreciation of literature, art and music while also having fun.  By combining today’s most well-known, talented celebrities with great musicians and beautiful animation we can inspire children to appreciate and learn to love classic tales, art and music as much as we do.

The apps that we’ve launched include all of these ingredients, and many more. They are classic stories like The Velveteeen Rabbit and Pecos Bill whose magic is enjoyed by adults and children alike.  Our apps are extremely unique as they combine a celebrity telling the story with wonderful animation and music.  In addition, these apps include additional features in which you can read the story, watch the video or record your own voice.  I am blessed to have two wonderful and curious kids.  They can’t keep their hands off of my phone or ipad.  But kids aren’t the only ones who enjoy the features of our apps.  Our app’s record-your-own voice option allows parents to stay close to their children even when they are far away. For me this is really a nice feature.  Whether I am off on a business trip, working late (often lately) or just out to dinner, I am still able to tell my two children a bedtime story.

We’re lucky to have the original executive producing team from Rabbit Ears, Mark Sottnick and Doris Willhousky, working with us to maintain the original works and content but to help transform them into a ground-breaking, new experience.  Together, we’re making sure not to let the technology drive the original works, but rather enhance the story and reading experience through a smart phone or tablet’s touch screen and recording capabilities.

We’ve retained the original video, illustration and narration and re-formatted it for the iPad,iPhone, iPod and soon to come, the Android.  This has enabled us to give kids what they like most in an app, entertainment and interactivity.

Here’s the really fun stuff, our original storybook apps, soon to be released, incorporate even more features that kids love – hot spots, gaming, painting and story creation.  We have partnered with many New York Times Bestselling authors (including Jon Scieszka, Rosemary Wells, Andrew Clements, Alan Katz and David Carter, to name a few) in agreement to develop original works. Unlike many children’s apps where touch screen technology is used as an add-on to the story, we at Ruckus believe the story comes first and the technology is used to propel the story.  We even have an app where your child has to “drive” to another part of the story using the iPad’s accelerometer funcitionality.  How cool is that!  Our exclusive partnerships allow for terrific storytellers to develop and enhance their story even further, through technology and interactivity.  And this is just the start!

This new art form marries and leverages todays everyday mobile devices so children can interact with a story in new and exciting ways.  So, go ahead and check out our apps that launched this weekend in the iTunes store.  We look forward to your feedback!

A Week of Winning! The Lucy’s, Willette Designs & Ruckus Media Twitter Contest

Posted by ruckusholly on October 18th, 2010

by Holly Fink, Ruckus Media Staff Marketing Specialist

10/18/2010

We’re excited to announce a special week-long promotion with our friends at  Lucy’s  and Willette Designs!   Each winner (multiple winners each day!) will receive 1 Ruckus Media storybook app, a cookie prize pack featuring a variety of delicious gluten-free cookies from Lucy’s and a Photographer’s Bag O’Tricks from Willette Designs (with games and tips that encourage kids to smile for the camera!).  A $35 value.  How great is that?!

Want to enter to win? It’s easy! Simply follow us on Twitter(@RuckusMedia) and be on the lookout for chances to win all week long!

WilletteLucy's

Here are the Ruckus Read-Play-and-Record-Along apps YOU could win:

· The All-American story of Johnny Appleseed, narrated by Garrison Keillor with music by Mark O’Connor.

· The timeless tale of a man born with a hammer in his hand, John Henry, narrated by Denzel Washington with music by B.B. King.

· The Western classic, Pecos Bill, narrated by Robin Williams, with music by Ry Cooder.

· The not-so-tall tale of Tom Thumb and the Knights of the Round Table narrated by John Cleese, with music by Elvis Costello.

· The classic story of The Velveteen Rabbit, narrated by Meryl Streep with music by George Winston.

So what are you waiting for?  Starting following us on Twitter (@RuckusMedia) and get ready for giveaways galore!

Two More Ruckus Apps are Born

Posted by ruckusholly on October 17th, 2010

by Holly Fink, Ruckus Media Staff Marketing Specialist

10/17/2010

Two more Ruckus apps are live!  The Velveteen Rabbit– told by Meryl Streep, illustrated by Dave Jorgenson with music by George Winston; and Tom Thumb and the Knights of the Round Table  – told by John Cleese, illustrated by Tim Gabor with music by Elvis Costello.

Velveteen RabbitTom Thumb

Check them all out today, and while you’re at it, pick up downloads of our other new releases: John Henry, Pecos Bill and Johnny Appleseed.

A Ruckus App is Born

Posted by ruckusholly on October 15th, 2010

by Holly Fink, Ruckus Media Staff Marketing Specialist

10/15/2010

Hear that noise?  Yes, it’s champagne corks popping here at Ruckus Media headquarters!  Apple has just flipped the switch and our apps are live!

Head over to the store now to find one these digital classic stories: Pecos Bill, Johnny Appleseed, and John Henry. Look out for The Velveteen Rabbit and Tom Thumb coming up soon!

Pecos BillJohnny AppleseedJohn Henry

Then join us on Twitter, YouTube, Flickror Facebook and let us know what you think.

The Ruckus Media Celebrity Factor

Posted by ruckusholly on October 14th, 2010

by Holly Fink, Ruckus Media Staff Marketing Specialist

10/14/2010

The iPad can do a lot more than just display static pages, books and magazines. Thanks to the latest technology, the iPad, iPod and iTouch can read stories aloud and enrich a classic tale. The digital enhancements really bring the story to life.  Imagine all of these features  PLUS having your favorite celebrity read your child a bedtime story.  How cool is that?!  Each one of Ruckus Media’s upcoming releases is not only narrated by a well-known celebrity, but the music is equally as familiar.  You want to hear about star power?  The list of names attached to our brand is staggering: Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson, Whoopi Goldberg, Elvis Costello – and these are only a few.  Each talent contributes something special to every story, making your children want to play and hear the stories over and over.

In one of the first apps we’re launching, The Velveteen Rabbit, Meryl Steep’s narration (delivered with an impeccable British accent, if we do say so ourselves) shifts from the Velveteen Rabbit and the boy to the wild rabbits, to the rough Nana, who rules the nursery where the rabbit lives.  Joined by the music of George Winston, the duo creates a beautiful version of the story that children are sure to love.

Your child will go back in time with Ruckus Media’s soon-to-be released version of The Legend of Pecos Bill, narrated by Robin Williams, with music by Ry Cooder.  Imagine them learning the timeless tale of the man born with a hammer in his hand, John Henry, narrated by Denzel Washington, with music by B.B. King.   Coming out at the same time are two other classics you’ll want to introduce to your kids: the not-so-tall tale of Tom Thumb, narrated by John Cleese, with music by Elvis Costello, and the All-American story of  Johnny Appleseed, narrated by Garrison Keillor, with music again by B.B. King.

For a sneak peek of each of these upcoming releases, check out the clips on our YouTube page.