President Zuma the Dog refuses to step down!

An important announcement 

I would like to take this moment to address the recent events in which there are rumours of my imminent resignation. So that there is no confusion I would like to confirm I am still the president and muse of the children’s entertainment brand Zuma the Dog and the rumours you hear are in fact, fake news.  

I am still just a dog who lives and plays in the Swiss Alps. Over seeing the work my Mum does that has made me the adorable character you all know and love.  The allegations of corruption are simply untrue, unless you consider my barking profusely as the postman and growling at empty plates until I am given the left overs a violation of my presidency and then, of that I am guilty. 

Merchandise for you

I hope this statement has prevented any confusion. I can confirm I work hard at being cute (and its not always easy) for the benefit of my fans and followers. I demand the best efforts of those around me and give my Mum a hard time if she doesn’t walk me enough and take enough photos of me for you all to keep up with my day to day life. I act to the best of my ability for you all, to be naughty enough to inspire my Mum to create new stories and merchandise for you all to enjoy. I pledge to you all, my beloved fans that I will continue with my outstanding work and with that I refuse to step down from my presidency.

Until next time

Much Love

Zuma xx

Ongoing President of Zuma the Dog

Entertainment character

All Change Ahead for Zuma

It seems like forever since the last time I put paws to keyboard to update you on life as the muse of a kid’s brand, so much has happened, including moving countries. Yes, that’s right, I left the beach of my precious Guincho Beach in Portugal and swapped it for the mountains of Switzerland. Mummy said it was a good move for everyone and I get to meet new doggy friends and learn another language. Language is important for a multi-traveling dog like me, so now I find myself learning to woof German and living on top of a hill with fields and trees all around. The view across to a mountain is breath taking and I have funny four-legged neighbours that eat a lot of grass, who wear these large bells around their necks, ding-donging all day and make a kind of Moo sound. I’ve never seen such a funny looking creature, but they keep themselves to themselves and I’m happy to watch them all do their thing.

I’ve taken my time to settle in. It’s been a big change. I’m enjoying the long walks through the forest and there’s always something that catches my interest. New sounds, new smells and lots of new people. I had a little run in with an electric fence while on a bog walk down a mountain, but I'm ok. Something new to learn about. I think I’m going to like it here.

With all the changes with our home, Mummy seems to have still found time to work and she tells me she now has a sales agent who will be working alongside her and the licensing agent to sell our clothing range into retailers within the UK. She seems to be very happy about that. She’s busy working on the Winter 2018 collection, creating fun styles for you and these items will be in stores and online next winter to buy.

Can you imagine how exciting it is to see your own face on the T-shirt in the front window of a shop?

Until next time

Much Love

Zuma xx

Small Dog in Best 90 List

Award winning brand gets listed

Brand owner Samantha Morgan-Bertish is celebrating today when she discovered her latest book Zuma the Dog: The Dinosaur Guy was listed in The Best Children’s Books of 2017 compiled by Tutora.

Zuma the Dog: The Dinosaur Guy available now to buy on Amazon

The list was compiled by tutora.co.uk to encourage parents and children to explore new opportunities for reading. They reached out to 100s of book reviewers, authors, illustrators and independent book stores for recommendations on what to include.

 “I was stunned to receive the news my book had been nominated.” Says Bertish. “And I am honoured my book is being so well received. It’s amazing to be included on this list with such acclaimed authors such as Julia Donaldson and Philip Pullman.”

While the book continues to sell on Amazon, fans of Zuma the Dog will be happy to know this particular story will soon be available to watch as a part of Zuma the Dog’s animated series on the children’s entertainment platform Kidscast TV. Dates for its release are yet to be confirmed.

Small Dog Requires Kids Clothing Agency

Brand owner Samantha Morgan-Bertish is searching for the perfect children’s clothing agency to work with to grow her brand within the UK. The online brand has had success selling through various online marketplaces and trialled their products in Pop-up shops and are now ready to see their clothing line on the shelves of retailers and independent boutiques in the UK and are looking for experienced agents to make this possible.

 It’s important to the brand owner that Zuma the Dog remains a true “British” brand with is design and manufacturing being in the U.K and focussing its sales growth here too.

“Finding the right agency to represent our unique brand with our fun colourful style is important to us.” Says Samantha. “With the launch of our digital VOD series in the summer, it’s important to partner with the right team to manage the rapid growth we expect from the exposure we will gain from our children’s series and build strong long term business relationships.”

Zuma the Dog kids brand was created in Somerset in 2009, inspired by the family pet and welcomes agencies, wholesalers and distributors to make contact via email at zuma@zumathedog.com or call 07778669680

Little Dog Digs Up Another Award.

Glastonbury based children’s brand Zuma the Dog announced as a finalist in Book Awards.

Brand owner Samantha Morgan-Bertish is celebrating this week after receiving the news that her book Zuma the Dog: The Dinosaur Guy, has been announced as a finalist in The Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards. This exciting news coincides with the launch of her digital on demand series, Zuma the Dog and Friends, based on the character from her books, which is to be broadcast on the new children’s entertainment platform Kidscast TV.

 Books for the award were read and judged by children in 8 UK primary and secondary schools, a book award that is judged by the people that matter with honest opinions and feedback.

“I am honoured that we have been chosen as a finalist for this award. It has been the second year one of my books has reached the final stage in this awards and our fingers are crossed for a win this year. I am delighted that my work and dog character, Zuma is enjoyed by so many children.”

Zuma the Dog kids brand was created in Somerset in 2009 inspired by the family pet and has been gaining strength in recent months.

The winners will be announced on 1^st April.

Search Samantha Bertish on Amazon to find all Zuma the Dog book releases.

SMALL DOG LEAPS ONTO WORLD STAGE

Brand owner, Samantha Morgan-Bertish is delighted to share with you a new kid’s digital platform and home of the forth coming Zuma the Dog and Friends digital series, which officially launched on 12th December 2016 called Kidscast.TV, an exciting safe child digital environment.

This exciting new platform provides access to well-known retro and new children shows from Little Monsters to Rainbow, along with brand new shows such as Zou, Boy and the Dinosaur, Sketch show Zuma the Dog and Friends and other names due to be published over the coming weeks.

 

“I am delighted to be a part of this exciting new project,” Says Samantha. “Even if it’s in a small way. We have discovered through this platform and licensing we can see Zuma the Dog leap from Children’s clothing brand to entertainment character and see our little Zuma character take centre stage in the world market. It’s very exciting stuff.”

The all fun children’s access area which is a member of the UK Council for Child Internet Safety will house homemade ‘make and do videos’ with new Kidscast presenters from cooking to crafts, Kidscast YouTube kids for exciting unboxing and toy reviews with well know toy brands already signed up, digital games, competitions and downloadable licensed character pages through the Redan license and brand new bespoke branded activity pages to showcase products and shows.

The website address is: www.kidscast.tv (App to be launched on both Android and Eos) or subscribe for free to the Kidscast You Tube Channel.

Small Dog Join Pop Up Squad

It's always Go Go Go at Zuma the Dog HQ and as if Mummy didn't have enough to do working for ME on my brand, she's also got herself involved with other projects too. Sounds to me this is quite a worthy one, where Mummy can pass on the benefit of her expertise and advise those looking to start up for themselves. Here's the press release below.

Glastonbury based children’s brand Zuma the Dog become adviser with You Tube Channel.

Brand owner Samantha Morgan-Bertish is proud to announce her collaboration as an adviser with new You Tube Channel My Perfect Pop Up Shop. After working for several years with pop up shops to launch her children’s brand, Zuma the Dog, Samantha was asked by fellow entrepreneur and author Daisy White to join her new initiative in helping other small business owners when setting up their own pop up shops.

“My Perfect Pop Up Shop has been designed to inform, inspire and create the biggest global archive of pop ups. There’s advice from experienced Pop Up shop owners and entrepreneurs too”. Explains Daisy White. “The Do’s the Don’ts and tips from Pop-ups from around the world”.

 The channel was launched in September this year and has been gaining popularity in recent months. “I am excited to be asked to join this fantastic new project as a “Pop UP Squad” member”. Says Morgan-Bertish. “Believe me, I’ve not exactly got it right in the past and have a lot of advice to offer”.

You can subscribe to My Perfect Pop Up Shop on You Tube for free and see Samantha’s video from Portugal and advice from other Pop Up Squad members.

 You can also follow on Facebook too.

That's certainly something I would look out for if I was starting out again. But you know what? The best place is being the boss. Have everyone do it all for me.It's not so easy for me to do the hard work. I don't have thumbs!

Much Love

Zuma

xx

SMALL DOG DIGS UP BUSINESS AWARDS

With the most insanely busiest month I've ever known Mummy to have, I have spent most of it on my holibobs relaxing and playing with my doggy friends at the Quinta. I can see by spying on Mummy's social media she not only won an award for her business all about ME, but she got married too and has been travelling ever since.

This press release seems to popping up all over the place and believe it's something you should take a look at too.

Glastonbury based children’s brand Zuma the Dog wins big at business awards.

Brand owner Samantha Morgan-Bertish is celebrating after being honoured with two awards for her children’s brand Zuma the Dog. The awards for Small Business of the Year and Overall Business of the Year were presented at the annual Business Matters ceremony by BBC TV presenter Nick Wallis at Gatwick Hilton Hotel in a glittering ceremony earlier this month.

 A spokes person for the event said “Samantha showed dedication and hard work and a determination to make her business work, which is why she was chosen by our judges for these awards”:

I am surprised and ecstatic to be recognised for the work I have put in to get my brand to where it is today.” said Samantha. “With so many other deserving businesses out there I am truly honoured to have won these awards and I couldn’t have done it without the support of my family and business colleagues.”

Zuma the Dog’s clothing line was launched in Somerset in 2009 and has been gaining strength this year with its award winning books and a TV series which is due to start broadcasting on You Tubes Kids Cast channel this autumn.

Now, I can see on Instagram that Little Stuffed Zuma has been having the time of his life popping up all over Europe. Pop over and take a look at where he's visited. I wonder where he'll end up next?

Much Love

Zuma

XX

Family Shoe Madness

Who clears away the shoes?

All families have their little quirks and as I watch my skin family in their daily activities each day I believe they are getting worse with their family madness. I spend a lot of time observing others (let’s face it, being the inspiration of a kids brand means I get to sit around and be cute most of the time) and I can see the patterns of silliness as they progress. I remember reading a hilarious article on Huff Post a few weeks back on my ZPad about a Mum who documented one comical quirk that her family has…………….leaving socks around the house.

Well, this got me noticing a few things and all of a sudden I could see a similar pattern occurring in our house. This time, not socks, but shoes! Clearly not a personal problem for me as my skin family feel my paws don’t need shoes, but two other members of the family are very obvious culprits of this new family quirk.

Like the article on Huff Post I took to taking photographs to document this silly past time and it only took me a couple days to get all these snaps.

 Now that's a lot of shoe neglect from only two people in just a couple of days!

I hope by showing you these photo's I can highlight to my family that their shoe abandonment is not only cruel shoe abuse, but it's driving me crazy too. My sense of smell has been working on overdrive these past few days and it's not been pleasant.

I think it’s time to send the family to get some training. What do you think?

What does your family need a little more training on?

Much Love

Zuma XX

SMALL DOG PROUD TO WHERE NEW MEDAL

If Mummy says it's official then it must be. I will proudly wear my badge of honour on the front cover of my book. Here's what the press release had to say.

Award winning children’s brand Zuma the Dog announced as a finalist in Book Awards.

Brand owner Samantha Morgan-Bertish is celebrating this week after receiving the news that her book Zuma Likes to Dig, the first picture book in the pre-school series The Adventures of Zuma the Dog has been named a finalist in The Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards.

 Books for the award were read and judged by children in 8 UK primary and secondary schools, a book award that is judged by the people that matter with honest opinions and feedback.

“It’s official and I am delighted and honoured that we have been chosen as a finalist for this award. It means so much to me that my work and dog character, Zuma is enjoyed by so many children.”

Zuma the Dog kids brand was created in Somerset in 2009 inspired by the family pet and has been gaining strength in recent months with licensing deals including a clothing range and an online TV show.

All new editions of Zuma Likes to Dig will now bear its finalist medal on the front cover and Samantha continues to work on her new book in the latest series.

Search Samantha Bertish on Amazon to find all Zuma the Dog book releases. The Adventures of Zuma the Dog series is available to buy at all good book retailers.

Proudly showing our medal of honour from

The Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards

The bilingual range all show our medal too

Did you know that our books were also available as bilingual stories? These special editions are only available direct from Diverze Publishing and can be ordered through them. Order today and get your child on the road to language learning.

Much Love

Zuma XX

A Return to a More Serious Note

As I am nearing my four year anniversary since moving to Portugal I can’t help thinking about how much I have changed and grown as a dog. If you recall the post I wrote three years ago entitled “A more serious note” (15^th March 2013), about coping with the aftermath of domestic violence and how Mummy was seeking help for my behaviour while dealing with her own trauma. You would read how difficult times had become.

My life in England was very different. In my early years I was witness to a lot of unpleasant things. Lots of shouting and hiding in small places, violence and aggression. Things no puppy should ever see. When Mummy wasn’t around the unpleasant attention was geared towards me. I learnt early on that I needed to be there for Mummy and we formed a very close bond protecting each other. At two years old the dynamics in our home changed with the removal of our abuser, but being so used to playing the role of Mummy’s protector, traumatised and constantly being on a high state of alert I became aggressive and with this came isolation because I was not trusted to behave in public.

Fast forward four years and with love, kindness, understanding, persistence and a whole lot of therapy; Mummy truly believes I am a different dog. No need to be muzzled and kept on the leash. No need to be kept away from others. Instead of the dog that picks the fight, I am the dog who shows others how to behave. Of course I’m not perfect and I will always be there to protect my home and my family and if a puppy decides to steal my ball at the beach I WILL tell them off, but life is certainly a lot easier.

Daily Doggy Beach Party With My Buddies

Perhaps it’s because I am older and wiser, calmer, more experienced? I now have many doggy friends, who I learn from as well as teach. Time is a great healer as they say. Look at me now! I am the inspiration for the latest kids character and I even have my own children's digital series coming out soon. I am a star!

We are the lucky ones. Unlike so many, we are survivor's of Domestic Violence and it's now our reasonability to speak out against it and stop these terrible acts.

Thank you Mummy for not giving up on me.

Much Love

Zuma XX

Small Dog Digs up New Award

I am blown away by the amount of good news I'm reading about Mummy's hard work right now. It looks like her patience is paying off and here is another exciting announcement we have been celebrating.

This press release is out now about our good news.

Award winning Glastonbury based children’s brand Zuma the Dog announced as a finalist in Book Awards.

Brand owner Samantha Morgan-Bertish is celebrating this week after receiving the news that her book Zuma Likes to Dig, the first picture book in the pre-school series The Adventures of Zuma the Dog has been chosen as a finalist in The Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards. This exciting news coincides with the launch of her fourth book Zuma the Dog: The Dinosaur Guy, both of which are available to buy from Amazon worldwide.

 Books for the award were read and judged by children in 8 UK primary and secondary schools, a book award that is judged by the people that matter with honest opinions and feedback.

Always keen to have mummy read about me to me

“I am delighted and honoured that we have been chosen as a finalist for this award. It means so much to me that my work and dog character, Zuma is enjoyed by so many children.”

Zuma the Dog kids brand was created in Somerset in 2009 inspired by the family pet and has been gaining strength in recent months with licensing deals including a clothing range and an online TV show.

The winners will be announced on 1^st April.

Zuma Likes to Dog: Finalist in book awards

Search Samantha Bertish on Amazon to find all Zuma the Dog book releases worldwide. The Adventures of Zuma the Dog series is available to buy at all good UK book retailers.

I recommend you give my books a go. Your kids will love them and there's nothing better than falling asleep to a story about a dog. The perfect bedtime story all about me!

Much Love

Zuma XX

SMALL DOG PREMIERS ON KINDLE

Mummy is at it again! A new book all about me and my escapades is out and we are really excited. Following my 9th birthday Mummy decided it was time to put something new out there for you all to enjoy. It's been some time in the making, many changes, tweaks and edits, but finally it's finished and ready for the world. The press release is out and here's what our clever marketing people have to say....................

Children’s brand Zuma the Dog is pleased to announce the release of their latest story book on Amazon.

New Kindle Edition

Embracing the tech world, this first kindle edition of their new picture book Zuma the Dog: The Dinosaur Guy is now available to pre-order on Amazon ahead of its launch date on 1st March. If you would like to review this book then brand owner Samantha Morgan invites you to email her at zuma@zumathedog.com and the first 20 people will receive a FREE PDF version of the book.

“It’s been some time since we released a story book and looking forward to hearing the public’s reaction. We are so happy that our brand is able to extend into products outside the clothing line. It gives the brand real strength and longevity in a fickle and ever changing marketplace.”

You can search Samantha Bertish on Amazon to find all Zuma the Dog book releases and click here to go straight to our new release.

I hope that you enjoy our new book and look forward to seeing your reviews on Amazon.

Happy Valentine's Day and Much Love

Zuma XX

Little Dog signs Licensing Agent

So, this is why Mummy has been so busy just lately. Would have been nice to know she was signing me to an agent. I guess now I can say "Talk to my agent!"

Zuma the Dog finds growth through Licensing

Glastonbury based start up Children’s brand Zuma the Dog is excited to announce they have now signed a Licensing Agent. Those Licensing People based in North Yorkshire is set to grow the brands awareness outside its original clothing line.

  TLP will represent Zuma the Dog, with an initial project being a TV series aimed at 4-6 year olds to be broadcast worldwide via its YouTube Channel Zuma the Dog TV. This will open up Zuma the Dog to an international market and give the ability for the brand to extend outside its current online market with licensed products such as stationary, plush collectibles, toys, gifts and apps. Award winning marketing company Weird Lime will be heading up all the marketing to compliment all licensed products. “This is an exciting step forward for Zuma the Dog”. Says owner/creator Samantha Morgan “we are really looking forward to working with TLP and Weird Lime and will continue to make sure Zuma the Dog’s core brand philosophy stays in the forefront of the TV series and any new licensed products.”

Samantha will continue to concentrate her efforts on the clothing line and hopes the licensed products will bring more brand awareness and free up time for her to continue designing fabulous fashion for kids.

Little Stuffed Zuma is all ready

for Christmas

What exciting news this is to end what has been a fabulous year for the whole family. I can't wait to see myself on TV and going over right now to subscribe to Zuma the Dog TV. I suggest you do the same to be sure you get the very latest on the TV show.         

With Christmas just around the corner there is still time to get your hands on some of our award winning Zuma the Dog products and our books make great stocking fillers too.

We hope you enjoy this special time with your families and we will be back in the New Year with more news and updates about our TV series and other escapades from Zuma the Dog HQ.

Much Love

Zuma XX

Zuma's Fashion Doldrums

As if facing the change in the British weather and the depressed feeling you get at the end of the summer, knowing that all you have to look forward to is six months of long cold winter nights followed by morning visits from Jack Frost, bundling the kids into their thick coats, hats and scarves and scrapping ice off the car windscreen wasn't enough, after scouting around the local supermarkets to find Master C something interesting to wear for the next season, I was dumbstruck to see the lack of interesting options available.

Too dull for kids!

Still lucky, during mid August to experience what often seems a very short summer for the UK in recent years, I thought it would be nice while shopping with Nanny Zuma to get a quick clothing shop done (knowing it’s Master C’s growing season). Enjoying the sunshine and still feeling quite summery I entered the boys section of the supermarket only to be faced with the most dullest, boring and downright dreary clothing range I could possible see. There was absolutely nothing exciting or inspiring about the styles and quite frankly not willing to dress my fun, colourful, playful little boy anything this store had to offer.

I don’t want to sound like a moaning mini, but having worked as a designer supplying stores like these for many years, I believe their buyers are playing it too safe by not offering an alternative to grey, black and white stripes, grey on grey checks with an accent of red and white. I actually thought I’d walked into the school uniform department at first until I realised this was the only row available for boys clothes.

Shame on you ASDA! Shame shame shame for lacking imagination and balls to try something new. With a consumer spend of £3.4 Million, (figures based on tax year 2008-2009), I’m pretty sure you can come up with something better, more exciting, more original than what you already currently stock. Why play it safe for the sake of margins and profit?

Same dull colours in Europe

Our children deserve to dress age appropriate, fun, colourful and bright.  Supermarkets and other high street chain stores can do so much better than this. It’s time to stop forcing bland winter fashion doldrums on our children, particularly stocking colours like this during August.  Winter is tough enough! Dress to impress not dress to depress!

Lucky for you guy’s Zuma the Dog can save the day and brighten up those winter fashion blues. ;-)

Much Love

Mummy Zuma XX