In the first-ever Write for a Cause program, thousands of Demand Studios freelance writers and editors contributed 128,577 articles during the month of December, making it possible for 16,072 new books to reach the hands of children in need nationwide in the new year.

Demand Media, the leader in distributed social media, asked its community of more than 5,000 freelance members of Demand Studios to participate in the "Write for a Cause" program in which writers and copy editors participated in the effort to increase childhood literacy by doing what they do best. For every eight articles written and approved during the month, Demand Media donated a book on behalf of its writers and copy editors to First Book, the award-winning nonprofit that has provided 68 million books to children in need.

"We are so pleased and proud that our community actively supported the cause of increasing access to books for kids in need," said Stewart Marlborough, general manager of Demand Studios, the content-creation arm of Demand Media. "We are vested in promoting the value of the written word and combating illiteracy and we are thrilled to be a part of such a hugely successful program that supplied books to the kids who need them most."

"This partnership shows that the power of inspiration and action can make a difference," said Kyle Zimmer, President and CEO, First Book. "We are grateful that the Demand Studios freelance community joined together to help kids who need to know great stories receive books to read and enjoy."

By providing new books to children in preschools and after-school programs, mentoring and tutoring programs, shelters and day care centers and beyond, First Book provides resources to empower teachers and administrators. With access to high-quality books, educational materials and more, these caring leaders can better teach, plan curriculum and impart a love of learning, elevating the quality of the programs and opportunities available to children in need.

For more information, go to
http://www.demandstudios.com/first-book.html

About First Book

First Book provides new books to children in need addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy -- access to books. An innovative leader in social enterprise, First Book has distributed more than 65 million free and low cost books in thousands of communities. First Book has offices in the U.S. and Canada. For more information about the nonprofit First Book please visit www.firstbook.org.

About Demand Studios

Demand Studios(R) produces valuable, high-quality content for leading digital brands by providing a range of consistently available work to talented freelancers. Providing assignments to writers, filmmakers, copy editors, experts and many other roles, Demand Studios is one of the largest producers of content on the Web today. The company is also the largest provider of video content to YouTube, and its articles and videos are seen on popular websites such as LIVESTRONG.COM, eHow(TM), GolfLink(R), Trails.com(R) and many more. For additional information, please visit: www.demandstudios.com

About Demand Media

As the leader in distributed social media, Demand Media makes possible more than 3 billion conversations every month. The Demand Media platform harnesses the creativity of individuals to deliver valuable content and help websites grow by providing content and community features that consumers truly want. The privately held company was founded in May 2006 and is based in Santa Monica, CA, with offices in Bellevue, WA, Austin, TX, New York, NY and London, UK. For more information about Demand Media, Inc., please visit: www.demandmedia.com Copyright 2009 Demand Media, Inc.

eHow, Trails.com and Demand Media or trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Demand Media, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks belong to their respective owners.

LIVESTRONG is a trademark and/or registered trademark of the Lance Armstrong Foundation in the United States and/or other countries.

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