LADY GAGA DONATES $1.5 MILLION IN TOTAL TO ZYNGA’S JAPAN EARTHQUAKE RELIEF CAMPAIGN AND THE AMERICAN RED CROSS
Pop Icon Partners with Zynga’s Fundraising Initiative for Save the Children’s Japan Earthquake Tsunami Children in Emergency Fund and The American Red Cross
SAN FRANCISCO – March 28, 2011 – Zynga Inc. today announced that Lady Gaga has donated $1.5 million total, through the sales of her Japan Prayer Bracelets, to Zynga’s fundraising initiative with Save the Children as well as to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts following the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Today's donation comes on the heels of Zynga players raising more than $2.5 million in the last two weeks for Save the Children’s Japan Earthquake Tsunami Children in Emergency Fund and other causes, bringing the grand total raised to more than $3 million.
“I’m inspired that my little monsters banded together to help those affected by the terrible tragedy,” said Lady Gaga. “What Zynga’s players have done for the cause is equally inspiring, and I’m thrilled to partner with them to raise money that will go to Save the Children and the American Red Cross.”
Through Zynga games including CityVille, FrontierVille, FarmVille, Words With Friends,Vampire Wars, YoVille and Zynga Poker, more than 250 million players had the opportunity to donate 100 percent of the purchase price of newly created virtual items to the fundraising efforts. Via Credits, Facebook donated money generated through the purchases to support the initiative.
"We've seen our players show tremendous generosity when presented with opportunities to give back," said Mark Pincus, CEO and Founder of Zynga. "We're very happy that Lady Gaga has chosen to donate to our fundraising efforts and hope our players take pride in what they've accomplished."
Lady Gaga is also announcing a contest where she will fly one lucky fan who purchased a Japan Prayer Bracelet to a show on The Monster Ball Tour to meet the superstar. Visit http://www.LadyGaga.com to learn more. Zynga.org is committed to transforming the world through the power of virtual social goods with campaigns in Zynga games. Since its inception in October 2009, hundreds of thousands of players have raised more than $10 million dollars for international nonprofits through Zynga.org. Visit the following link directly to help provide disaster relief and support children affected by the disaster in Japan: http://www.savethechildren.org/japanzynga.
About Zynga Inc.
Zynga Inc. is the world’s largest social game developer with more than 250 million monthly active users playing their games which include FarmVille, FrontierVille, Mafia Wars, Zynga Poker, Café World, Treasure Isle and CityVille. Zynga Inc. games are available on a number of global platforms including Facebook, MySpace, Yahoo, the iPad and iPhone. Through Zynga.org, Zynga players have raised more than $10 million for world social causes. Zynga Inc. is headquartered in San Francisco. For more information, visit www.zynga.com orwww.zynga.org.
About Save the Children
Save the Children is the leading, independent organization that creates lasting change for children in need in the United States and 120 countries around the world. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
About The American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
