Virtual Goods Mean Real Money for USO

In celebration of Veterans Day, Playdom and USO partner to raise money to support our troops

• Press Release
• Source: Playdom
• On 3:07 pm EST, Tuesday November 10, 2009

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. & ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Playdom, a leading social gaming company, and the USO today announced the launch of a joint effort to raise funds to improve the quality of life of servicemen and women around the world.

At 11 pm last night Playdom introduced limited edition items for sale in its flagship online games, including a fatigue-clad military boyfriend and an American Flag tattoo. The special USO-inspired items will improve players’ in-game statistics and serve as popular prestige items. Only hours into the promotion, more than 6,000 players have already contributed to the USO and are vocalizing their support for the joint initiative.

According to a Level 51 player with the character name Dirk the Daring!, “I served for seven years in the Army Reserve, Active Army and Washington State Army National Guard. When I was in the Army, the USO was nothing short of amazing. I can’t wait to contribute to the USO through Playdom. This partnership is exciting—it has brought back some very nice memories and gives me a great opportunity to give back.”

“The USO has a long tradition of using playful and innovative promotions to mobilize people and raise money to support our troops,” said John Hanson, USO senior vice president of marketing and communications. “Playdom’s games are a particularly great platform for us. They provide a valuable form of social entertainment, a concept akin to the USO’s own mission. And many men and women in the armed forces stay connected with friends and family through these games.”

The USO fund-raising event will run from November 9 through November 13 and is expected to raise tens of thousands for the USO, a private non-profit that focuses on bringing entertainment and support services to American troops. Playdom will promote the initiative to its 28 million monthly players through in-game announcements and other social media channels.

“We’re excited to offer a fun and meaningful way for our growing user base to do good. This is the perfect opportunity for our players to support the armed forces in celebration of Veterans Day,” said Rachel Thomas, VP of marketing, “With the virtual goods market topping $1 billion in 2010, the sale of virtual goods has a huge potential to drive charitable contributions.”

About United Service Organizations
The USO (United Service Organizations) lifts the spirits of America’s armed forces and their families. We provide a touch of home to troops wherever they serve through centers at airports and military bases around the world, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services tailored to meet the needs of troops and their families. The USO is not a government agency and relies on the generosity of the American people. The USO is also supported by Worldwide Strategic Partners AT&T Inc., BAE Systems, The Boeing Company, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, Gallery Furniture, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, S & K Sales Co. and TriWest Healthcare Alliance. Other corporate donors, including the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381), have joined millions of individual donors to support the USO. For more information, please visit www.uso.org.

About Playdom
Playdom is a leading social gaming company. As communicated in the tagline “Where players rule,” Playdom is committed to delivering the best possible player experience to its more than 28 million monthly active users on Facebook, MySpace, hi5, Tagged and iPhone. Playdom is located in Mountain View, CA. Please visit www.playdom.com for more information.

Outcast Communications
Rebecca Silliman, 415-345-4769
Rebecca@outcastpr.com
or
USO
Travis T. Burgin 703-740-4982
tburgin@uso.org
or
Playdom
Rachel Thomas, 650-391-8082
rachel@playdom.com