Storybook and mobile app cartoon character Walter the Wandering Wave, created by Irish entrepreneur Shane Janssens, is set to have his own TV programme around the world. Janssens’ publishing company Belly of Fire is seeking to raise €30,000 in seed capital on crowdfunding platform Indiegogo to produce an animation TV pilot.
The concept behind the character was, according to Janssens, to teach children all about the ocean.
Since he was launched in 2010, Walter has become a favourite bedtime story for kids all over the world.
After the first Walter book was published in Canada, Janssens developed an animated and interactive app which, in the first three days of being released in the iTunes store, was featured as No 1 in New and Noteworthy apps. It also reached No 1 in the What’s Hot apps list under books.
It also reached the No 1 position in the Irish app store and the top 10 in the Canadian App Store under Paid Apps. The printed storybook has sold across Europe, Canada and the US.
Walter has also been featured by Red Bull magazine.
Janssen said that funds raised by the IndieGoGo campaign in excess of the US$30,000 will be used to grow out Walter’s app and book products.
Making waves
“We have also partnered with one of the largest ‘in taxi’ digital marketing companies in the world to help bring Walter to millions of people. Play Taxi Media have over 40,000 screens worldwide and we are poised to grow the series through this medium once we get it to TV.
“The seed capital will enable us to make waves on global TV. The fundraising drive ends mid-April 2013, and funds raised will be used to cover the scriptwriting team; story creation for broadcasters; voice actors; artist’s animation team and production, sound and music.”
