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LimeLife, Kiva?s mobile gaming campaign to alleviate poverty

LimeLife and Kiva are teaming up to launch a donation campaign using the iPhone and iPod Touch application, "Hollywood Hangman."

In its "Apps for Good" campaign, LimeLife is contributing 10 percent of the profits accrued from the Hollywood Hangman application during a one month period to Kiva.org, an organization dedicated to alleviating poverty worldwide.

"The team at LimeLife recognizes and appreciates the tremendous benefits they've enjoyed as entrepreneurs and consumers in the U.S.," said Kristin McDonnell, CEO of LimeLife, Menlo Park, CA. "Unfortunately, these benefits are rare and not readily available around the world.

"The strategy for LimeLife's Apps for Good charitable campaign is to raise awareness and encourage consumers to make a contribution for the good of the world, especially women in need, while having fun," she said.

From May 21 to June 21, iPhone and iPod Touch users can download the mobile game and join Limelife's cause.

Limelife is a multiplatform digital media company centered on the women's market at the crossroads where community, shopping, and entertainment meet.

Kiva works to fund female entrepreneurs in developing countries who hope to generate an income or gain financial independence.

"With the launch of the iPhone and the Apps Store, it has become much easier to create and measure a viral worldwide campaign that links directly to the purchase of consumer software at a low price point, said Ms. McDonnell.

"The low price point for the software makes it easier for more people to participate in the charitable campaign," she said.

The Web site enables individuals to browse entrepreneurs' profiles and choose a unique endeavor to lend to directly. One loan at a time, Kiva attempts to bring individuals with difficult circumstances the opportunity for economic independence.

By using mobile entertainment as a platform for charity work, LimeLife hopes to make a greater positive impact globally.

Consumers can participate in the Apps for Good campaign through several mediums.

Most obviously, iPod and iPhone users can download the Hollywood Hangman game between May 21 and June 21 by visiting the Apple App Store.

A tenth of each purchase goes straight to Kiva and eventually to an entrepreneur in need of funding.

Consumers are also encouraged to contact their friends through email, Twitter and Facebook status updates and invite them to join in on the fun.

The Hollywood Hangman game is equipped with the Facebook Connect feature and those who would like to be involved in the campaign are also encouraged to reach out to their friends through that medium.

Finally, consumers who are truly avid about the campaign can follow its progress by tracking the LimeLife iPhone Twitter feed at http://twitter.com/LimeLifeiPhone.

LimeLife hopes and expects to enact its Apps for Good campaign on a regular basis.

"We hope to create awareness about needs and issues that women face and the nonprofits that are helping to change the world, while allowing consumers to engage and entertain themselves with fun activities," Ms. McDonnell said.

The Hollywood Hangman app is a best-seller at the Apple App Store that brings pop culture trivia from television, movies, music and celebrity gossip to the classic Hangman word-puzzle game.

Players' statuses can change based on their performance, ranging from "Hollywood Hopeful" to "Celebrity A-Lister."

"In the U.S., we as consumers have many guilty pleasures, pop culture being one of them," Ms. McDonnell said. "We'd like to use consumers' indulgences in these pastimes to create some ancillary benefit and do good for the world."