Apr 5, 2008 2:50 pm US/Central
MN-Made 'Webkinz Webcast' Climbs The Charts
(WCCO)
-
-
Perhaps the best thing about the Webkinz Webcast is the time Dad is getting with his girls and the memories they're creating together.
CBS
If you have kids, you've likely heard of Webkinz. If you haven't, think Beanie Babies, but with an online support network.
A podcast devoted to the stuffed animals is one of the top downloads on I-Tunes now. It's being made in Minnesota.
9-year-old Hanna and 6-year-old Zoe Swerdlick are young stars of the webcast world.
"We hope your Webkinz collection is gonna grow, and it's time for the Webkinz Webcast show," said Hannah into the microphone.
Their dad is also a star. Once a week, he helps them produce a little show with a worldwide audience.
"Hello everyone and Welcome to the Webkinz Webcast," said Dad Dave with enthusiasm. "What do you say girls...should we get into some BREEAKKING NEWZ?"
The Webkinz Webcast is consistently among the top 10 downloaded podcasts in the "Kids And Family" section of iTunes. Dave said it averages about 50,000 downloads per month.
"We're beating out Nickelodeon and Disney stuff. It's pretty amazing," he added.
The girls do shout-outs to fans in Argentina, Finland and of course their friends in Canada.
Dad has background in the radio and music industries. It was his idea to try a Webcast. The girls came up with the idea of focusing it on Webkinz.
"Before we were going to do American Girl dolls," said Hannah. "But then by the time we actually started doing the podcast, it was all about Webkinz."
"I think it's really cool because these people around the world are listening of our Podcasts," said Zoe.
For about a half hour, the threesome talks about what's new in the Webkinz world.
They read fan mail, hold contests and rock out to the hot new Webkinz band, Superpet. Dad's the lead singer. The virtual rock group is climbing the charts on I-Tunes and Amazon.com.
Perhaps the best thing about the Webkinz Webcast is the time Dad is getting with his girls and the memories they're creating together.
"Some dads teach kids to fish or play softball, this is our thing," he said.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
