Foreign dignitaries, politicos and corporates turn out for ‘red carpet’ launch of Bud-e Digital

The launch of Bud-e Digital’s literacy app and lavish new series of illustrated children’s books was always going to be a special occasion, but no one could have predicted how unique it would be.

Bud-e Director and Sales & Marketing publishing specialist, Tracy Strudley (formerly with Reed) said “After 18 years in educational publishing I have never seen an RSVP list like this. I’m not aware of any New Zealand publisher having new overseas distributors present at a launch nor have I seen one supported by an Embassy.” She went on to say, “This is testament to the rigour in the development of Bud-e Digital and print, testament to the great need for comprehensive material like this for beginning readers and testament to New Zealand’s fine international reputation in producing such materials.”

Bud-e was formally launched by National Party MP, Ms Melissa Lee, on Tuesday evening at the home of Bud-e, funky gaming studio Custard Square, in Auckland’s Kingsland. Ms Lee paid tribute to the uniqueness of Bud-e and New Zealand’s fine reputation in producing such products. As did the Hon Steven Joyce and Hon Nikki Kaye, both of whom offered extended warm praise and good wishes for the future success of Bud-e.

Joyce framed his response by writing an open letter to Jill Eggleton, in which he said: “I would like to acknowledge Jill Eggleton and her team for the good work they are doing in promoting literacy. I understand you had support from Callaghan Innovation to develop your first prototype. It is great to see how you have used this support as a springboard to compete on the world stage. The export potential of Bud-e is promising and I will watch the growth of the company with interest.”

The launch was packed to the rafters with more than 100 guests, including foreign dignitaries, Her Excellency Dato' Kim Eng Lim, High Commissioner, Malaysian Embassy; Ms Rani Burchmore who heads up Microsoft Asia Pacific and flew in from Singapore; Asian distributors; representatives from Callahan Innovation and the Marie Clay Literacy Trust; parents and their children. As the wine and juice flowed, conversation was animated and a troupe of gorgeous child helpers kept guests refreshed with generous trays of crostini with delectable toppings and sushi. The finale was the signing of publishing contracts with representatives from Danalis Distributor (Malaysia) and Book H (Korea). From here, Bud-e will be rolled out to many other key global markets, including Australia, South Africa and North America.

The launch was ably MC’d by the silver-tongued Sam Elworthy, PANZ President and Director of AUP, who expertly juggled the many and varied elements of the launch, including a Maori welcome led by Brian Morris from Huia Publishers; a Kapa Haka performance by local school children; a presentation by Bud-e Director, author and literacy educator, Jill Eggleton; and an appearance by the animated character of Bud-e himself, who welcomed us all to his world.

Bud-e is a unique, compelling and comprehensive literacy app. The quest to get Bud-e home to Bubblo motivates children to take a literacy journey that is fun and exciting. Bud-e exposes children to 60 books that focus on high frequency words, the words that children need to have on board the enable them to progress in reading, focuses on comprehension strategies, 22 poems, 13 songs, phonic knowledge, phonemic awareness and much more all in one app. It adheres to curriculum requirements all over the world.

Bud-e has been reviewed and endorsed by highly-regarded educationalist, Dr Libby Limbrick, MNZOM, who says: “It is evident that the Bud-e Reading programme is informed by a robust theory of literacy development; the content and structure provide sound, research-based experiences to support the development skills and knowledge which are validated by a wide body of research as essential for early literacy development; and is consistent with the Core Standards expected to be achieved by the end of the kindergarten year at school.”

Bud-E Digital was founded in 2014 by Directors Chris Bulman, Jill Eggleton and Tracy Strudley. Between them, they have many years of experience in the fields of education, publishing and technology, where they have held key positions of influence. For more, check out: http://www.bude.club/.

Bud-e products will be available for sale in bookshops and e-tailers nationwide from April 17, 2015. The free to download Bud-e Digital app can be downloaded by clicking: https://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/bud-e-reading/id949639782?mt=8. The Bud-e app and associated games are supported by all major tablet devices (Windows Tablet, iOS and Android).

 Jill Eggleton (Bud-e Director) and Graham McEwan, World Wide Chairman of The Marie Clay Literacy Trust (Reading Recovery)

Melissa Lee, Chris Bulman (Bud-e Director), Her Excellency Dato' Kim Eng Lim, High Commissioner, Malaysian Embassy, Nordawama Ahmad Ali (MD, Danalis Distributors), Tracy Strudley (Bud-e Director), Jill Eggleton

Bud e Kapa Haka performance viewed by dignitaries (seated) and Brian Morris, Huia Publishers (standing)

Attentive audience.

Launch report: Sarah Thornton, Thornton Communications, www.prcomms.com.