New Online Platform Featuring Timed Reading Excerpts Triggers Book Donations to Save the Children
Campaign Culminates on UNESCO’s World Book & Copyright Day
Toronto, … April 17, 2017 – Penguin Random House, the world’s largest trade book publisher, today announced the launch of its #ProjectReadathon Million Minutes campaign, giving readers the chance to help young readers in local communities throughout North America. From April 17 – 23, the week leading up to UNESCO’s World Book and Copyright Day, readers will be invited to visit a specially created reading platform that offers users the chance to read free, timed excerpts from Penguin Random House books and authors. Based on how many minutes participants devote to reading, that number triggers donations of up to 300,000 books to kids in need in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico through Save the Children.
The benefit of #ProjectReadathon is that the simple act of reading can have far-reaching social impact: the more participants read, the bigger contribution they can make. For example, reading a 20-minute excerpt unlocks a 5-book donation; an hour spent reading unlocks 20 books from Penguin Random House to Save the Children. Each excerpt on the new platform will note how many minutes will be added and how many books will be donated through the campaign. The books will go to Save the Children literacy programs, and hard-to-reach Indigenous communities in Canada to develop children’s literacy skills and promote a culture of reading and learning.
Also joining the #ProjectReadathon Million Minutes campaign as Contributing Partners are Charity Miles and Tab for a Cause, two organizations that enable consumers to give back through everyday activities. Users will be invited to add minutes to the Project through reading at ReadWell.PenguinRandomHouse.com, as well as through the Charity Miles and Tab for a Cause platforms for special in-app and on-platform opportunities.
#ProjectReadathon takes place in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and culminates on April 23 in honor of UNESCO’s World Book and Copyright Day, which is the same day and date as World Book Night (UK) and St. Jordi Day (Spain). Penguin Random House employees across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, UK, and Spain are taking part in local celebrations in honor of these events, as they join together to give back locally.
Visit ReadWell.PenguinRandomHouse.com to join #ProjectReadathon and #ReadWell.
ENDS
About Penguin Random House
Penguin Random House, the world’s largest trade book publisher, is dedicated to its mission of nourishing a universal passion for reading by connecting authors and their writing with readers everywhere. The company, which employs more than 10,000 people globally, was formed on July 1, 2013, by Bertelsmann and Pearson, who own 53 percent and 47 percent, respectively. With nearly 250 independent imprints and brands on five continents, Penguin Random House comprises adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction print and digital trade book publishing businesses in more than 20 countries worldwide, including the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, China, India, South Africa, Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Portugal, and Uruguay. With over 15,000 new titles, and close to 800 million print, audio and eBooks sold annually, Penguin Random House’s publishing lists include more than 60 Nobel Prize laureates and hundreds of the world’s most widely read authors.
Media Contact
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About Save the Children
Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In Canada and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.