PLANO, Texas, Nov. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 35
years after launching its iconic BOOK IT! program, Pizza Hut is
expanding its commitment to literacy through its partnership with
the National Football League by joining forces with Pizza Hut NFL
player ambassadors and team partners to shine a spotlight on the
importance of reading to kids and parents across the nation.
This Giving Tuesday, Pizza Hut is teaming up with Los Angeles
Rams All-Pro running back Todd
Gurley to amplify his commitment to childhood reading
through activations in the community, on the field and across
social media during Weeks 13-15 of this NFL season.
"In our first year as the Official Pizza Sponsor of the NFL, we
have a powerful opportunity to work with the League, its teams and
players to do even more to support childhood literacy – a cause
Pizza Hut has championed for more than three decades," said
Marianne Radley, chief brand
officer, Pizza Hut, U.S. "The support of these NFL players really
exemplifies their commitment to success on and off the field for
kids across the country, and we're privileged to work with athletes
like Todd Gurley. His passion for
literacy will not only inspire young readers but will also help
drive awareness for this critical social issue we're hoping to
improve."
This year, Todd will champion literacy for the NFL's My Cause My
Cleats initiative by wearing custom-designed Nike cleats dedicated
to reading during the LA Rams home game on Dec. 16. The cleats feature Todd's children's
book of choice, "The Magician's Hat" written by fellow NFL player
Malcolm Mitchell, and Pizza Hut
partner First Book, a nonprofit dedicated to creating equal access
to quality education for children in need.
"Growing up, I was taught that reading and writing were the
foundation for my education," said Todd
Gurley, running back for the Los Angeles Rams. "Knowing the
importance of literacy programs for kids across the country, I'm
teaming up with First Book and my fellow Georgia alumni and Super Bowl champion Malcolm Mitchell, author of 'The Magicians Hat',
for My Cause My Cleats."
Leading up to their designated My Cause My Cleats home game on
Dec. 16, the LA Rams and Pizza Hut
will bring children from Inglewood together for a
once-in-a-lifetime reading event with Todd to further emphasize the
importance and power of reading.
"My Cause My Cleats is a great way to showcase the philanthropic
passions of NFL players," said NFL SVP of Social Responsibility
Anna Isaacson. "We are proud to highlight the hundreds of players
who make a tremendous impact on our communities every day."
The brand is also extending its relationship with Seattle
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler
Lockett, who teamed up with BOOK IT! earlier this season to
surprise students at a Seattle
school, spending the afternoon with them to discuss the power of
reading and imagination. In late December, Pizza Hut, the Seahawks
and Tyler will host another special reading event in Seattle to inspire young readers in the local
community.
Pizza fans nationwide can get involved in supporting childhood
literacy by ordering a brand-new bundle deal Pizza Hut is rolling
out today at participating stores. The limited-edition deal – The
First Book Bundle – will include a $1
donation to First Book for every purchase. The deal is available
starting today until Dec. 31 and
includes two large three-topping pizzas and breadsticks, starting
at $20.99*.
Pizza Hut has a long-standing commitment to literacy, beginning
in 1984 when it founded the iconic BOOK IT! Program and
strengthened through Pizza Hut: The Literacy Project, a global
commitment to impacting 100 million lives by enabling access to
books and educational resources, empowering teachers and inspiring
readers. To bring this to life, Pizza Hut raises funds annually in
support of First Book.
To learn more about childhood literacy initiatives at Pizza Hut
and how the brand is working with the NFL, visit Blog.PizzaHut.com
or head to PizzaHut.com to order now.
* Pizza Hut customers must ask/click for deal. Additional
charge for extra cheese, crust type and extra toppings may apply.
Price, participation and combinability of discounts
vary.
About Pizza Hut®
Pizza Hut, a subsidiary of Yum!
Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM), has more restaurant locations in the
world than any other pizza company. Founded in 1958
in Wichita, Kan., Pizza Hut operates over 16,800 restaurants
in more than 100 countries.
With easy order options including the Pizza Hut app, mobile
site, and Amazon and Google devices, Pizza Hut is committed to
providing an easy pizza experience – from order to delivery – and
has the only national pizza loyalty program, Hut Rewards, in the
U.S. that offers points for every dollar spent on food any way you
order.
Pizza Hut is also the proprietor of The Literacy Project, an
initiative designed to enable access, empower teachers and inspire
a lifelong love of reading. The program is rooted in the foundation
set by the Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program, which is the longest-running
corporate supported literacy program, impacting more than 14
million students each year. For more information,
visit www.pizzahut.com. Pizza Hut is the Official and Only
Pizza Sponsor of the NFL and NCAA®.
Contact
Brett LeVecchio, Pizza Hut
972.338.6730
Brett.LeVecchio@yum.com
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pizza-hut-teams-up-with-nfl-star-running-back-todd-gurley-to-tackle-childhood-literacy-300756188.html
SOURCE Pizza Hut