Late last week the Disney FamilyFun magazine hit the iTunes Store as an iPad app. The effort was very much a Boston affair, with Texterity (Southborough-based app developer), The Wonderfactory (NYC-based design firm), and 360 PR (Boston-based public relations firm) making it possible — not to mention that Disney FamilyFun is actually located in Northampton, Mass.
Disney’s FamilyFun magazine and online property targets families with children aged 12 and under with content that helps make the most of family time. This type of content (crafts, cooking, holiday fun, etc.) is perfect for the iPad, both given the nature of the content which can be enhanced by media like video and slideshows and the fact that you can take in all that content sitting on the couch or propped up if following instructions on the table.
The app is setup just like the magazine, except it also includes engaging video and slideshow content that print simply can’t offer. On top of this comes base features like the ability to bookmark pages (a recipe, for example) and share content to your social networks or over email.
In December Texterity and The Wonderfactory announced partnering on an iPad publishing platform, and Disney FamilyFun is in fact the first outlet to adopt this publishing system. “The [Texterity-Wonderfactory] digital platform is expected to revolutionize the magazine industry, delivering cutting-edge interactive features and design in a feature-packed, engaging format,” Mike Rush from 360 PR shared with us. “The new publishing system has all the mom-friendly tools and engaging multimedia features that lets the FamilyFun editors bring high-tech utility to the high-touch world of moms.”
With 2.1 million subscribers and a total audience of 5.5 million including its online property, the FamilyFun magazine has become a bit of a staple in households. The addition of new interactive features on the iPad edition makes FamilyFun content even more fun and consumable. And this isn’t the first iPad app released by the Disney FamilyFun brand. The company has released two other iPad apps to date, ToyHopper and CraftFinder — meaning mobile is resonating in a major way with families and children.
“Disney FamilyFun has always been a magazine about doing things and taking action, and the iPad is the perfect springboard for bringing these activities and ideas to life for families,” said Aparna Pande, general manager of Disney FamilyFun. “Through a collaboration with industry leaders Texterity and The Wonderfactory, we’re rolling out an innovative digital publication that has all the mom-friendly tools and engaging multimedia features one needs to make their way through a busy day.”
This first FamilyFun issue was launched on the iPad with sponsorship from Nissan, which enjoys takeover branding on the cover and advertising within the app for the 2011 Quest. Both the March and April issues will be offered to readers for free, and Disney will charge for each issue moving forward through an in-app purchase right within the app.
