Nonprofit First Book Launches Campaign To Share Magic Of Storytelling With Kids In Need

CAMPAIGN--LAUNCHED IN COLLABORATION WITH DISNEY|ABC TELEVISION GROUP AND DISNEY PUBLISHING WORLDWIDE--WILL CHALLENGE PUBLIC TO HELP PROVIDE ONE MILLION NEW BOOKS TO CHILDREN

News provided by

First Book

Jan 30, 2015, 12:52 ET

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The nonprofit social enterprise First Book announced a campaign, launched in collaboration with Disney|ABC Television Group and Disney Publishing Worldwide, that will put up to 1 million brand-new new books into the hands of kids in need. The campaign, which focuses on the power of great stories, runs through March 31, 2015.

As part of their ongoing citizenship efforts, Disney|ABC Television Group supports First Book's mission of providing new books to children from low-income families. The effort will highlight First Book's work in a robust media campaign, which includes a public service announcement (PSA), on-air segments, and celebrity and public engagement opportunities.

The public service announcement titled, "The Magic of Storytelling," launched on January 20 and will appear through the end of March on all of Disney|ABC Television Group's eight owned television stations, various ABC affiliate stations, ABC Network, ABC Family, Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior, Disney Cruise Line and Resort TVs, the ABC Watch app, New York digital super signs and in New York taxis. The PSA will air as a radio spot on Radio Disney and ABC News Radio. It can also be seen at www.firstbook.org/beinspired.

The public will have the opportunity to share the magic of storytelling with children by making a donation to First Book. For every $5 donated, Disney Publishing Worldwide will provide two books to First Book. The public is also invited to share "speed read" videos of themselves reading as many words as possible in 10 seconds on social media using the hashtag #MagicOfStorytelling.

"The Disney ABC family is a longtime supporter of First Book and has advanced our work in critical ways: from financial support, to contributions of their wonderful books, to strategic guidance as we've worked together to deepen our impact," said Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO of First Book. "We are thrilled to launch the #MagicOfStorytelling campaign to provide more books to children in need with support from Disney."

First Book's effort will provide up to 1 million new books to children in need. Learn more at www.firstbook.org/beinspired.

First Book
First Book is a nonprofit social enterprise that has distributed more than 125 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families through the United States and Canada. By making new, high-quality books available on an ongoing basis, First Book is transforming the lives of children in need and elevating the quality of education. For more information, visit firstbook.org or follow the latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW)
Disney Publishing Worldwide is the world's largest publisher of children's books and magazines with over 700 million products sold each year. DPW consists of an extensive worldwide licensing structure as well as vertically integrated publishing imprints, including Disney Book Group in the U.S. and Disney Libri in Italy. DPW publishes a range of children's magazines globally, as well as Disney kids magazines in the U.S. Disney English is DPW's English language learning business, which includes Disney English learning centers in China and a worldwide retail-licensing program. DPW's digital products include bestselling eBook titles as well as original apps. Headquartered in Glendale, California, DPW publishes books, magazines, and digital products in 85 countries in 75 languages.

Disney/ABC Television Group
The Disney/ABC Television Group is composed of The Walt Disney Company's (NYSE: DIS) global entertainment and news television properties, cable networks, owned television stations, and radio stations. This includes ABC Entertainment Group, ABC News, ABC Owned Television Stations, Disney Channels Worldwide, and ABC Family, as well as Disney/ABC Domestic Television and Disney Media Distribution.

Contact:
Julia Hornaday, First Book
[email protected]
202-639-0114

Alicia Katz, Disney | ABC Television Group
[email protected]

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SOURCE First Book