Pukeko Pictures Invests in NZ eBook Company

WELLINGTON: Pukeko Pictures has invested in BeyondTheStory, a New Zealand-based digital company that specializes in interactive technology.

The first initiative between the two companies will be a series of The WotWots educational eBooks to accompany the preschool TV show of the same name. Those eBooks will promote learning through creative play and storytelling. BeyondTheStory, which has an office in London, uses its Publisher+ software to let users create their own eBooks as interactive apps for all formats and devices.

“BeyondTheStory has developed a highly imaginative way to work with our assets to create episode-by-episode quests and expand feature storylines,” said Sir Richard Taylor, co-owner of Pukeko Pictures and Weta Workshop. “I look forward to working with BeyondTheStory to design and create an inspirational digital app world that will engage the imagination of audiences worldwide.’’

Andrew Smith, the CEO of Pukeko Pictures, added: “We are delighted to be working with fellow Kiwi company BeyondTheStory. We feel very confident to invest in the company and the potential this brings for us, both in New Zealand and the U.K. For Pukeko Pictures, it’s not just about the unique technology that BeyondTheStory has developed but the shared philosophy of bringing the magic of storytelling to viewers worldwide.”

Jen Porter, the CEO of BeyondTheStory, commented: “We are delighted Pukeko Pictures has united in our quest to expand the storytelling experience through television and tablet. This investment gives BeyondTheStory and Pukeko Pictures the opportunity to collaborate on exciting projects. Given that we began our journey in Wellington, I feel akin ‘to the return home,’ yet remaining in London as we scale both companies internationally.”