Kobo's 'Read On Revolution' Makes First Award for 10 Million Minutes Read

BUENA PARK, Calif., June 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Kobo, a global leader in eReading with over 3.7 million readers, awarded Buena Park High School 100 new Kobo Touch eReaders, $3,000 in eBooks as well as Read On Revolution posters, t-shirts and program guides to support the school's goal of introducing a digital eReading program into their curriculum.

English teacher Adam DeClercq, who teaches remedial reading for 9th and 10th grade students, saw a post about the Read On Revolution on the Kobo Facebook page (www.facebook.com/kobo) and rallied the school community to join the One Trillion Minute Challenge.  DeClercq saw a great opportunity to unite his students in a common goal to read more and potentially bring a digital reading program into his school.  

"I'm always looking to improve my students' reading experience.  Being able to provide access to a wide variety of eBooks through Kobo's eReaders and mobile apps can show my students that beyond being important, reading can be fun," said DeClercq.  "Many of my students have not grown up reading and have not had a home library.  The excitement and joy of watching students read a book for the first time in their lives is truly amazing.  I'd like to thank Kobo for this important donation."

About The Read On Revolution and the One Trillion Minute Challenge

Kobo started a $10 Million Fund to inspire people to join the 'Read On Revolution' to make a difference with schools and communities in need. The overall goal of the program is to read One Trillion Minutes, and for every 10 million minutes read towards the challenge; Kobo will offer an award to support local reading programs.  

People can sign-up today at www.kobo.com/readon, and suggest a school, community, or organization of their choice, to which they feel would best be served by the program. To participate, readers simply start reading on any Kobo eReader or download a free Kobo eReading app for iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch, BlackBerry device, Android-based phone or tablet, or any Windows or MacOS notebook, netbook or desktop computer. All minutes read are tracked on the real-time counter at www.kobo.com/readon.  

"Our goal is simple – to inspire more people to read and make a difference," said Michael Serbinis, CEO of Kobo.  "We're empowering the global reading community to make a difference in their neighborhoods, using digital technology and social networking to ignite a revolution – a reading revolution.  This first award – to Buena Park High School – reaffirms how the power of reading can truly make a difference in people's lives, large and small."

It's easy to join the One Trillion Minute Challenge:

• Sign Up: Online at www.kobo.com/ReadOn
• Name Your Cause: A school or community organization dedicated to learning
• Start Reading with Kobo: Every minute read counts
• Tell Friends: Use Facebook, Twitter, Reading Life, blogs and podiums at schools and community centers to spread the word, and help make a difference!
• Watch the Minutes Add Up: Check the One Trillion Minute counter, updated in real-time at www.kobo.com/ReadOn

Kobo offers one of the largest eReading catalogues in the world, with more than 2.3 million eBooks including New York Times bestsellers, the hottest new releases, young adults, thrillers, romance and more. Plus, Kobo offers over a million engaging classical masterpieces to download and read for free. Using Kobo's free apps readers can read on the device of their choice – such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops and more.  Kobo also has a line of dedicated eReaders available at retailers worldwide, including the new Kobo eReader Touch Edition.

Additional information about Kobo's Read On Revolution is available at www.kobo.com/readon.

About Kobo, Inc.

Kobo is a global eReading service with over 2.3 million eBooks, magazines and newspapers – one of the largest eReading catalogues in the world.  Kobo believes consumers should have the freedom to read any book on any device and has attracted millions of readers from over 100 countries across the globe.  Kobo has top ranked eReading applications for iPad, iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Windows and MacOS, and is the eReading application of choice for leading tablet OEMs.  Kobo eReaders are also available at leading retailers including Indigo, Walmart, Best Buy, Borders, WHSmith, Angus & Robertson's and Whitcoull's.  Kobo's innovative Reading Life is an industry-first comprehensive social eReading experience – Kobo users can earn awards simply for time spent reading and encouraging others.  Kobo is backed by majority shareholder Indigo Books & Music Inc, Cheung Kong Holdings, and institutional investors.

Contact:
Wendy Zaas/Kourtney Schepman
Rogers & Cowan
310.854.8148/310.854.8168
[email protected]
[email protected]

SOURCE Kobo