Media centre
Reading is still a big hit with kids, reveals WWE®
9 Oct 2009
9 October 2009
Upon the launch of their annual WrestleMania® Reading Challenge campaign this week, World Wrestling Entertainment® (WWE) and The National Literacy Trust (NLT) announced the results of a poll which reveals that only 10 percent of British children under the age of 16 do not enjoy reading books as a form of entertainment.
Run in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, the WrestleMania Reading Challenge, now in its third year, encourages more British children to read. To launch this year’s campaign, a poll of 3,000 young people was carried out on wwe.com, revealing that, despite strong competition for entertainment and leisure time, reading a book still retains its sense of magic.
The WrestleMania Reading Challenge has already positively influenced thousands of British pupils by leveraging the popularity of WWE to help improve reading skills.
Schools Minister, Diana Johnson, said “Reading is fun and opens doors to new ideas and information. It is important for young people, and in particular boys, to have strong reading role models. The WrestleMania Reading Challenge is a great example of how schools can get their pupils excited about reading.”
Upon launching the Challenge, Andrew Whitaker, President of International for WWE, said: “Our survey results demonstrate that Britain’s youth have a passion for literature and reading, which we positively encourage through our ongoing partnership with the NLT. We are delighted to take the WrestleMania Reading Challenge into its third year together.”
Nick Batty, Project Manager of Reading Champions, National Literacy Trust says: “The WWE research shows not only that many children are still reading, but also that they are enjoying reading, which is very important. The WrestleMania Reading Challenge is a fantastic way to link reading with children’s interests and provides many pupils with a real incentive to read. We are therefore thrilled to be partnering with WWE for a third year”.
Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to www.wwe.com/worldwide.
For those schools wishing to enter this year's competition, more information can be found here.
- Ends -
Notes to Editors:
Media Contacts
Shine Communications:
Donald Parish
Donald.parish@shinecom.com
Phone: 0207 100 7100
Shine Communications:
Laura Burch
laura.burch@shinecom.com
Phone: 0207 100 7100
National Literacy Trust:
Edward Mather
Edward.mather@literacytrust.org.uk
Phone: 0207 820 6254
About the WrestleMania Reading Challenge
The WrestleMania Reading Challenge invites primary and secondary school children from over 2,600 UK schools to read five books, comics or magazines within the term. After completing the Challenge, each child is asked to submit 100 words that persuade a WWE Superstar or Diva to read their favourite piece of literature.
The entries are read by a panel of judges from WWE and the NLT, with two primary school children and two secondary school children named the winners and rewarded with the trip of a lifetime to WrestleMania XXVI in Phoenix, Arizona in March 2010.
The WrestleMania Reading Challenge is open to all schools that are signed up to the National Literacy Trust’s Reading Champions programme, funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families. Schools that are not already part of the Reading Champions initiative can sign up at www.readingchampions.org.uk.
The WrestleMania Reading Challenge survey on wwe.com also revealed:
• 54% of British children read their first book on their own before they were 5 years old
• 93% completed their first book alone by the age of 9
• Over three quarters of children surveyed have read at least 20 books on their own
About the National Literacy Trust
The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity. We believe that society will only be fair when everyone has the literacy skills they need to communicate, to fulfil their potential and to contribute more to society. We campaign to improve public understanding of the vital importance of literacy, as well as delivering projects and working in partnership to reach those most in need of support.
The National Literacy Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, no. 1116260, and a company limited by guarantee, no. 5836486, Registered office: 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL
About Reading Champions
Reading Champions is an initiative delivered by the National Literacy Trust on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families. It uses the motivational power of male reading role models to inspire other boys and men to read more. See www.readingchampions.org.uk for more information.
Trademarks
All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, copyrights and logos are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbour provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the conditions of the markets for live events, broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, feature films, entertainment, professional sports, and licensed merchandise; acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to litigation; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television distribution agreements; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition to these risks and uncertainties, our dividend is based on a number of factors, including our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan, our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends and such other factors as our board of directors may consider relevant.
