Bertish and Company Ltd, the creator and owner of the children’s character brand Zuma the Dog, is collaborating with University Centre Somerset (UCS).

Brand creator Samantha Bertish recently attended the university to present a project to students attending the graphic design, gaming, marketing and business courses. The cross-course project involves students working in groups and acting as agencies to pitch their ideas to Bertish and Co. for a Zuma the Dog game using the gaming platform, Roblox.

The winning pitch will work closely with Bertish to create the game, which is due to go live in early summer 2023. The students will also be offered a licensing agreement to bring the project into the real world. This will enable them to both manage the game and monetize it, generating income for themselves.

Samantha Bertish comments on the collaboration

“Being back at my old college after 30 years to present this project has been amazing. Engaging with students and being able to offer an ongoing project that could eventually lead to jobs managing the game is an exciting opportunity for both the students and me.

“I’m loving this chance to work with the future workforce of the creative world, simulating how it is to work in the real world and offer the benefit of my experience. I too was a student at the university. Hopefully, I can inspire these young adults to follow their dreams to work within this fast-changing creative world of today.”

With continued popularity in the under-13 age group, Roblox is one of the best gaming platforms for Zuma the Dog

It enables the brand to spread its message of tolerance, anti-bullying and diversity education through the Zuma the Dog and Friends game. This world will cross over with that of the world created for other projects, which are due to be announced in Q2 of 2023 to keep some continuity across the “Zumaverse.”

Details of the actual game are yet to be confirmed. However, the brand will focus on character development, anti-bullying messaging, education and player experience.

Retailers wishing to stock merchandise by Zuma the Dog can contact sam@zumathedog.com. Alternatively, licensees wanting to collaborate with Zuma the Dog on new projects can contact sarah@contagiousmediagroup.com.