FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 4, 2001

Contact:  Ronni Faust
Ph: (212) 872-3732
Email: rfaust@magazine.org

Magazine Publishers of America to Partner with Association of American Publishers For Get Caught Reading Campaign
Promoting literacy and joy of reading books and magazines goals of industry-supported effort

Washington, DC -- Magazine Publishers of America (MPA), the industry association that represents consumer magazines, today announced a partnership with the Association of American Publishers (AAP) to support Get Caught Reading, a nationwide campaign to encourage a love of reading among people of all ages. The partnership will be formally announced to the media and the general public at an event on Capital Hill on May 9 during Get Caught Reading Month.

Launched in 1999, Get Caught Reading is the brainchild of former Congresswoman Pat Schroeder, President and Chief Executive Officer, AAP, the industry association representing book publishers. She saw the opportunity to spread the word about the joys of reading through an industry-supported literacy campaign. Now magazine publishers will help communicate this important message.

Nina Link, President and Chief Executive Officer of the MPA, speaking before an audience of more than 800 magazine retailers, distributors, wholesalers and publishers attending The Retail Conference & Expo in Washington, DC, which is sponsored by the MPA and the International Periodical Distributors Association (IPDA), noted, "We are delighted to be working with our colleagues in the book publishing industry to promote the joys of reading books and magazines. By joining forces, our two organizations can make an even greater impact on the public's book and magazine-buying habits and contribute to the literacy efforts of communities across America." "The Get Caught Reading campaign is intended to be a light, fun reminder of the joys of reading, not serious or preachy," according to Pat Schroeder. Coining "a slogan with attitude," she set out to encourage adults and children to make more time for reading in their hectic lives and discover, or rediscover, the pleasures of the printed page. "There are so many information and entertainment choices competing for our attention today, that we need to be reminded of how satisfying and fun it is to browse through a bookstore or newsstand, curl up with a book or magazine, and discover exciting new worlds that engage the imagination," she says.

Major celebrities are supporting the Get Caught Reading initiative by posing for public service print ads reading their favorite book or magazine. The ads will run in magazines and newspapers during Get Caught Reading month in May and throughout the year. Posters featuring the celebrities will also be on display at Barnes & Noble bookstores and other retailers across the country, and will be distributed to schools and libraries nationwide. The ever-growing list of avid celebrity readers who have lent their support to the campaign now includes Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie O'Donnell, Robin Williams, Sammy Sosa, Dolly Parton, Nickelodeon's Rugrats, Derek Jeter, Jane Seymour, Jake Lloyd of Star Wars fame, and Disney's Donald Duck.

Participating magazines featuring the Get Caught Reading ads have included Atlantic Monthly, BusinessWeek, Better Homes and Gardens, Discover, Family Fun, New Republic, Los Angeles Weekly, People, Playboy, The New Yorker, Reader's Digest, TV Guide, Woman's Day, Seventeen and The New York Times Magazine. The newspapers USA Today, New York Post and Village Voice have also run the ads.

Attendees at The Retail Conference & Expo can learn more about Get Caught Reading by visiting the joint MPA/AAP booth in the Expo area. Two hundred thousand attendees of the Food Marketing Institute show in Chicago, May 6-8, will also have a chance to find out about Get Caught Reading at an MPA/AAP/IPDA-sponsored booth, which will feature an exciting schedule of celebrity appearances and author signings. Get Caught Reading will also have a strong presence at Book Expo America, the independent booksellers annual conference, which will take place June 1-3 in Washington, DC.

Magazine Publishers of America (MPA) is the industry association for the consumer magazine business. Established in 1919, the MPA represents more than 240 domestic publishing companies with approximately 1,400 titles, more than 80 international companies and more than 100 associate service providers. Staffed by magazine industry specialists, the MPA is headquartered in New York City, with an office of government affairs in Washington, D.C.

Association of American Publishers (AAP) is the national trade association of the U.S. book publishing industry. AAP's approximately 300 members include most of the major commercial book publishers in the United States, as well as smaller and non-profit publishers, university presses, and scholarly societies. AAP members publish hardcover and paperback books in every field and a range of educational materials for the elementary, secondary, post-secondary, and professional markets. Members also produce computer software and electronic products and services.