St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Gannett Ventures Launch Collaboration for Warner Bros. Virtual Run Series

August 19, 2020

· St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® announced as official charity of the DC Wonder WomanTM Virtual Run Presented by Amazon and the Scooby-Doo Family and Pet Virtual Run/WalkTM · Funds raised will support treatment and research of childhood cancer, other life-threatening diseases

Memphis, TN and McLean, VA – August 19, 2020 – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital^®, which is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases, and Gannett Ventures, majority owner of Rugged Races, today announced an expansive new partnership as the official charity of the Warner Bros. Virtual Run Series. The virtual events feature both the DC Wonder Woman^TM Virtual Run Presented by Amazon and the Scooby-Doo^TM Family and Pet Virtual Run/Walk brands.

“Wonder Woman and the Scooby-Doo are two global icons and a perfect match with our best in class St. Jude Heroes endurance program,” said Richard Shadyac Jr., CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising organization of St. Jude. “We are delighted to partner with Gannett Ventures, who operate world class events, with participants and supporters who want to do something truly meaningful in the fight against childhood cancer and other deadly diseases.”

With nearly 100,000 virtual race finishers in 2020, the Warner Bros. Virtual Run Series is becoming one of the premier events in Gannett Ventures’ portfolio and includes two of the most popular virtual race experiences in the industry. The DC Wonder Woman Virtual Run has attracted over 47,000 participants from all 50 U.S. States. Additional Warner Bros.  virtual experiences will launch this fall and during the holiday season.

“We are honored to work side-by-side with St. Jude to help raise funds and support their mission to improve access and quality of care for children everywhere,” said John Smith, who leads partnerships at Gannett Ventures. “Our events across the U.S. have the opportunity to help promote their groundbreaking research and support their effort to change the futures of so many children facing cancer. Together, we will end childhood cancer.”

Through their participation in the Warner Bros. Virtual Run Series, runners can dedicate their training and race day miles to supporting St. Jude, where no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family’s ability to pay. Additionally, participants will receive one of the best swag bags in running featuring a quarter-zip pullover, finisher’s medal, terry cloth wristbands or a stainless-steel water bottle, and a reusable tote bag.

St. Jude freely shares its groundbreaking discoveries, so that every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists can use that knowledge to save thousands more around the world. To learn more about the partnership or register as a St. Jude Hero in an upcoming event or help a St. Jude Hero reach their fundraising goal, visit scoobydoorun.com/virtual/give/charity or dcwonderwomanrun.com/charity.

About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, sharing stories and videos from St. Jude Inspire, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on Twitter and Instagram and subscribing to its YouTube channel.

About Gannett

Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) is an innovative, digitally focused media and marketing solutions company committed to the communities in our network and helping them build relationships with their local businesses. With an unmatched reach at the national and local level, Gannett touches the lives of millions with our Pulitzer-Prize winning content, consumer experiences and benefits, and advertiser products and services. Our portfolio includes the USA TODAY, local media organizations in 46 states in the U.S. and Guam, and Newsquest, a wholly owned subsidiary with over 140 local media brands operating in the United Kingdom. Gannett also owns the digital marketing services companies ReachLocal, Inc., UpCurve, Inc., and WordStream, Inc. and runs the largest media-owned events business in the U.S., Gannett Ventures, formerly GateHouse Live. Effective November 20, 2019, following the completion of its merger with Gannett, New Media Investment Group Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under Gannett Co., Inc. and its ticker symbol has changed to “GCI”. To connect with us, visit www.gannett.com.

About Warner Bros. Consumer Products

Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP), a WarnerMedia Company, extends the Studio’s powerful portfolio of entertainment brands and franchises into the lives of fans around the world.  WBCP partners with best-in-class licensees globally on an award-winning range of toys, fashion, home décor, and publishing inspired by franchises and properties such as DC, Wizarding World, Looney Tunes, Hanna-Barbera, HBO, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim. The division’s successful global themed entertainment business includes groundbreaking experiences such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. With innovative global licensing and merchandising programs, retail initiatives, promotional partnerships and themed experiences, WBCP is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.

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