HarperCollins uses #WhyIRead social campaign to encourage readers to share what reading means to them
HarperCollins Publishers has begun a new social media and giving campaign, #WhyIRead, that encourages book lovers everywhere to share what reading means to them. The initiative aims to highlight the importance of literacy and is a part of a global campaign commemorating the company’s 200th anniversary.
HarperCollins launches #WhyIRead campaign
The centerpiece of the year-long campaign is a website showcasing the history and influence of the company and features many HarperCollins authors, including Robyn Carr, Michael Chabon, Bernard Cornwell, Neil Gaiman, Bob Goff, and Veronica Roth sharing their thoughts on why they read, why they write, and what books have influenced them. Readers are encouraged to join the conversation and share their own experiences and passion for reading via social media, using the hashtags #WhyIRead and #hc200.
As part of HarperCollins’ ongoing commitment to ensuring that reading remains accessible to all, the company will also donate $200,000 to a collection of literacy-related charities selected by its employees. These charities support a wide variety of causes that are important to HarperCollins, including promoting education and literacy for all, supporting authors and their freedom of expression, and championing literature that reflects and honors the lives of all people. They include: First Book, National Coalition Against Censorship, Room to Read, United Through Reading, and We Need Diverse Books.
In conjunction with this initiative, HarperCollins will collaborate with First Book to launch the #WhyIRead sweepstakes, in which readers can enter for a chance to win one of two grand prizes (an iPad mini loaded with a collection of HarperCollins e-books) or four runner-up prizes (a collection of HarperCollins e-books). In addition, grand prize winners can help give to their community by recommending a First Book-eligible school or program serving kids in need to receive a donation of 1,000 books. The sweepstakes will run from May 1 through June 7, 2017.