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| [April 22, 2008] |
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Teen Superstar Jordan Pruitt to Launch Samsung's 2008 Hope for Education Program
RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. --(Business Wire)-- Samsung's Hope for Education, an educational and philanthropic program designed to minimize the technology gap in the educational system will be partnering with teen superstar Jordan Pruitt for its 2008 program. In the past four years, through a partnership with Microsoft Corporation, Samsung's Hope for Education has provided more than $7 million in Samsung technology and software, to K-12 schools in the United States. This year the program will add another partner, DIRECTV, Inc., who will provide cash grants and a lifetime of educational television programming* to the contest.
This year's program will launch on April 22, at the Samsung Experience in New York City with a press conference and special performance by Jordan Pruitt, whose new album from Hollywood Records will be released this July. Students, teachers and parents from previous winning schools located in the New York Tri-State Area will be invited to attend, enjoy the event and performance.
"We are thrilled to have Jordan Pruitt join the Hope for Education program and Samsung family," said D.J. Oh, president and CEO, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. "She is a role model for young students across the U.S. who Samsung wants to reach and have participate. We are trying to find students who attend schools that lack the funding to purchase the kind of technology necessary to keep them competitive with the rest of the world. With programs like Hope for Education and a partner in Jordan, we have the opportunity to provide relevant and useful tools to support children, schools and communities."
"I am so excited to be working with Samsung's Hope for Education program to raise awareness about how important it is to provide public schools with the latest technology and educational tools," said Pruitt. "Receiving the best education possible has definitely helped get me to where I am today. I encourage all of my fans who want to help better their schools' technological resources to enter the essay contest and help bridge the technological gap that many schools face."
The Hope For Education Advisory Council is made up of professionals from Cornell University, the Wharton School of Business, Univision Communications Inc., El Diario/La Prensa, USA TODAY, AASA (American Association of School Administrators) and TWICE (a consumer electronic trade publication) who are authorities on both education and technology.
Samsung's Hope for Education will once again accept essay entries in either Spanish or English. In addition, following the success of the last year's introduction of the "Friends for Life" program, Samsung will be working with NEADS who since 1976, has provided specially trained Dogs for nearly 1,000 Deaf and Disabled children and adults... to provide a classroom assistance dog to a special education teacher at the grand prize winning school. Samsung Electronics America has incorporated the program created in Korea that provides financial support for the training of special service animals to assist kids and others who through the use of a dedicated service dog can lead a better life.
The Hope for Education contest runs through Aug. 31, 2008. Students, parents, teachers, administrators and community people can enter the contest by going to www.hopeforeducation.com and submit a 100-word essay about their school, answering the question: "How has technology educated you on helping the environment and how or why has it changed your behavior to be more environmentally friendly?" Students are also encouraged to become "friends" of the Hope for Education pages on social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook where program updates and announcements will be posted.
Schools that submit essays are entered for the opportunity to win the grand prize of over $200,000 in Samsung technology, Microsoft software a cash grant from DIRECTV as well as the SCHOOL CHOICE(R) educational television programming package*. In addition, 30 first prizes schools will be awarded over $60,000 in Samsung technology, Microsoft software and cash grants from DIRECTV, as well as the SCHOOL CHOICE(R) educational television programming package*. The technology prizes include Samsung's latest, award-winning products, such as energy efficient LCD high definition televisions; Ultra Mobile PCs; multi-function products; Smart Phones; digital camcorders, digital cameras; DVD players, LCD computer monitors, color printers and Microsoft's latest, award-winning software. The individual who submits a winning entry on behalf of a winning school will be awarded a Samsung Ultra Mobile PC with Windows Vista.
"Microsoft shares Samsung's passion and vision for improving teaching and learning opportunities through the use of technology in the classroom," said Anthony Salcito, general manager of U.S. education at Microsoft. "Through our continued partnership with Samsung, we hope to recognize deserving schools and provide students with the tools that will help them realize their potential and prepare them for a global future."
"We are proud to be joining Samsung and Microsoft in the Hope for Education program," said Caroline Leach, vice president of Communications for DIRECTV. "To us, being a good corporate citizen stretches beyond the living room and right into the classroom. That is why we're happy to support educational initiatives for K-12 schools across the country."
The Hope for Education contest was first announced in 2004 at the opening of the Samsung Experience, a unique and creative technology emporium in the Time Warner Center in New York City. Since the original launch, more than 250 U.S. schools have benefited from over $7 million in Samsung technology and Microsoft software.
* SCHOOL CHOICE programming so long as the prize winning school continues to qualify under the DIRECTV GOES TO SCHOOL program and so long as DIRECTV has the DIRECTV GOES TO SCHOOL or similar program.
About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., markets a broad range of award-winning, advanced digital consumer electronics, information systems and home appliance products. The SEA organization oversees the North American operations of Samsung including Samsung Telecommunications America, LP, Samsung Electronics Canada, Inc. and Samsung Electronics Mexico, Inc. Please visit www.samsung.com for more information.
About Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2007 consolidated sales of US$103.4 billion. Employing approximately 150,000 people in 134 offices in 62 countries, the company consists of five main business units: Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business, Telecommunication Business and Digital Appliance Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software; services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. For more information, please visit www.microsoft.com.
About DIRECTV, Inc.
DIRECTV, Inc. (NASDAQ:DTV), the nation's leading satellite television service provider, presents the finest television experience available to more than 16.8 million customers in the United States and is leading the HD revolution with 92 national HD channels - more quality HD channels than any other television provider. Each day, DIRECTV subscribers enjoy access to over 265 channels of 100% digital picture and sound, exclusive programming, industry-leading customer satisfaction (which has surpassed cable for seven years running) and superior technologies that include advanced DVR and HD-DVR services and the most state-of-the-art interactive sports packages available anywhere. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit directv.com. For more information about DIRECTV's educational programs and other corporate citizenship activities, please visit directv.com/community.
About Jordan Pruitt
Born in Loganville, Georgia, Jordan Pruitt began singing at a very early age - in fact, she began singing in public when she was only four years old and she hasn't stopped since. Her debut single, "Outside Looking In, was featured in the Disney Channel Original Movie Read It and Weep. Her debut album, No Ordinary Girl, was released in 2007, with her next album due out this July.
About Hollywood Records
The Disney Music Group encompasses all of the Walt Disney Studio's recorded music and music publishing operations, including Hollywood Records, Walt Disney Records, Lyric Street Records and Walt Disney Music Publishing. Artists include Aly & AJ, Raven Simone, Vanessa Hudgens, Jonas Brothers and more. For more information, please visit www.hollywoodrecords.com
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