GameTap Partners With Pledgeplay.com and Buy.com To Launch Thanks4Giving - An Innovative Holiday Fundraiser Event
Thanks4Giving Supports Major Children's Charities While Ushering in New Generation of Giving
ATLANTA - November 21, 2006 - GameTap, the first-of-its-kind broadband entertainment network from Turner Broadcasting System Inc. (TBS, Inc.) today along with Pledgeplay.com and Buy.com launches Thanks4Giving, an on-line fundraising event that combines video games and philanthropy. Powered by pledgeplay.com, the gaming industry's first philanthropic digital event marketing website, Thanks4Giving enables consumers to pledge dollar amounts to one of three major children's charities in return for one free month of GameTap and premier game titles from Buy.com.
"We're excited to be part of such a unique online fundraising initiative," said GameTap Vice President of Marketing David Reid. "Together with Buy.com and PledgePlay.com, we believe Thanks4Giving is an ideal way to raise funds over the holidays for children coping with serious illnesses. This program allows gamers to have a great time playing video games while at the same time give to a good cause."
From November 21, 2006 through December 24, 2006 individuals can go to www.pledgeplay.com to make a donation of $20 or more to any of the designated charities and they will receive four free weeks of GameTap, a great holiday stocking stuffer for anyone. For donations of $50 or $100, individuals will also receive a video game or accessory from Buy.com. Donors can choose from a list of leading products available at Buy.com.
PledgePlay.com's CEO Don Johnson comments, "With GameTap and Buy.com, we're bringing together like-minded groups to usher in the next generation of digital philanthropy. Our partnership represents a new frontier in being able to support fundraising efforts through online game-giving. GameTap's and Buy.com's online success, and their ability to generate visibility for our cause through their subscribers and customers, will go a long way in helping to fund children's charities and hospitals throughout the country."
Participating charities include CaringBridge®, HopeLab, and three leading children's hospitals, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Rady Children's Hospital - San Diego and Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center - Seattle, who are all members of the Woodmark Group, an organization consisting of 22 of the most prestigious children's hospitals in North America that advances pediatric philanthropy through collaboration. CaringBridge is a nonprofit 501®(3) organization offering free personalized Web sites to those wishing to stay in touch with family and friends during significant life events. HopeLab, founded in 2001, is a non-profit organization that combines rigorous research with innovative solutions to improve the health and quality of life of young people with chronic illness. Their first project, Re-Mission, is a video game developed for adolescents and young adults with cancer.
"This joint endeavor is so unique and meaningful that it has garnered the support of such worthy philanthropic organizations," said Neel Grover, President and CEO of Buy.com. "Our partnership with GameTap and PledgePlay.com encourages gaming fans in a new way to become actively involved in giving a donation while enjoying something they already do. We're thrilled to participate in this project and together will encourage our loyal customers to participate as well."
About GameTap
GameTap is the leader in digital game distribution and broadband entertainment. Launched by Turner Broadcasting in 2005, it now delivers more than 700 authentic versions of the greatest console, computer and arcade games on demand, including original and exclusive episodic properties. In addition to games for every age and interest, GameTap offers more than 600 original entertainment programs, popular video streams and thriving virtual communities to broadband-connected PCs. Continually updated with new games, programs and features, GameTap is a downloadable application that supports navigation and game play using keyboard and mouse, as well as most USB peripherals. Go to www.gametap.com and expand your playground.
About Turner
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.), a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment products around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.
About Buy.com
Buy.com is a leading e-commerce company focused on providing its customers with a positive shopping experience and a broad selection of high-quality technology and entertainment retail goods at competitive prices. Buy.com offers over 2 million products in a range of categories including consumer electronics, computer hardware and software, cell phones, books, music, videos, games, digital music downloads, toys and sporting goods. Individuals and businesses can shop quickly and easily at Buy.com 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Buy.com, founded in June of 1997, is located in Aliso Viejo, California. Buy.com® is a trademark of Buy.com Inc.