WaitingForSuperman.com Pledge Progress Meter Launches

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN" launched its "Pledge Progress Meter" today on WaitingForSuperman.com. To kick it off, First Book has committed to donating 250,000 new books to schools and programs in low-income communities across the country once the pledge meter reaches 50,000 pledges.

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991206/PARLOGO)

By committing to see the film, an individual can take the first step to become part of the film's social action campaign to help fix America's failing public schools.  First Book is the first sponsor of the Progress Meter, where non-profits, foundations and corporations will match individual pledge levels with powerful action items aimed at helping both students and public schools.

"First Book envisions a world where all children can grow up with enriched learning opportunities and an abundance of books in their homes and classrooms," said Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO, First Book. "As individuals take that first small step to pledge to see the film, they are joining with First Book in bringing thousands of new books to children who need them most."

WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN" directed by Davis Guggenheim (AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH) examines the crisis of public education in the United States through multiple interlocking stories. Designed to start a national conversation, the movie and corresponding "Take the Pledge" campaign aim to inspire everyone to create innovative and long-term solutions to help change the course of our kids' lives for the better.

People who have pledged are encouraged to see the film when it opens in their area beginning September 24. "Take the Pledge" is modeled after the "Demand It" campaign that launched PARANORMAL ACTIVITY to success last fall.

"The film is a powerful tool to convene a conversation on this issue," said Paramount Pictures' Co-President of Marketing, Megan Colligan. "People who pledge are not just showing their support for both the issue and the film, but they are inspiring action from non-profits, foundations and corporations that can make a difference immediately."

For more information about the movie, or to take the pledge go to http://www.WaitingForSuperman.com

To join the conversation visit us on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/WaitingForSuperman

What does your school need? Tell us by Tweeting #MySchoolNeeds at http://www.Twitter.com/WaitingSuperman

About the Film

From AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH director Davis Guggenheim comes WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN," a provocative and cogent examination of the crisis of public education in the United States told through multiple interlocking stories—from a handful of students and their families whose futures hang in the balance, to the educators and reformers trying to find real and lasting solutions within a dysfunctional system.  Tackling such politically radioactive topics as the power of teachers' unions and the entrenchment of school bureaucracies, Guggenheim reveals the invisible forces that have held true education reform back for decades.

The film is produced by Lesley Chilcott, with Participant Media's Jeff Skoll and Diane Weyermann serving as executive producers. It is written by Davis Guggenheim & Billy Kimball.

About Paramount Pictures Corporation

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands.  The company's labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies.  PPC operations also include Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studio Group, and Worldwide Television Distribution.

About Participant Media

Participant Media is a Los Angeles-based entertainment company that focuses on socially relevant, commercially viable feature films, documentaries and television, as well as publishing and digital media. Participant Media is headed by CEO Jim Berk and was founded in 2004 by philanthropist Jeff Skoll, who serves as Chairman. Ricky Strauss is President.

Participant exists to tell compelling, entertaining stories that bring to the forefront real issues that shape our lives.  For each of its projects, Participant creates extensive social action and advocacy programs, which provide ideas and tools to transform the impact of the media experience into individual and community action. Participant films include The Kite Runner, Charlie Wilson's War, Darfur Now, An Inconvenient Truth, Good Night, and Good Luck, Syriana, Standard Operating Procedure, The Visitor, The Soloist, Food, Inc. and The Informant!

About Walden Media

Walden Media specializes in entertainment for the whole family. Past award-winning films include: the "Chronicles of Narnia" series, "Journey to the Center of the Earth", "Nim's Island" and "Charlotte's Web." Upcoming films include "Ramona & Beezus" based on the best-selling book series by Beverly Cleary and starring Selena Gomez, and the latest installment in "Narnia" franchise: "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader."

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 70 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.

SOURCE Paramount Pictures Corporation