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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kel Kelly
BORDERS AND GATHER.COM CREATE SOCIAL NETWORKING WEBSITE FOR BOOK, MUSIC, AND MOVIE LOVERS Borders.Gather.com Will Connect Millions Within New Online Community ANN ARBOR, MICH./BOSTON, MASS., January 10, 2007 -- What's the first thing you do when you've finished a compelling book, heard a great new CD, or experienced an amazing film? Tell a friend, of course. Now, imagine that you can have that conversation with millions who share your interest in books, music, and movies and want to engage in thoughtful discussion with you. It's a reality now that Borders®, the global book, music, and movie retailer, and Gather.com™, the leader in social media for adults, have teamed up under an exclusive new agreement to create an online community at Borders.Gather.com. Each week, over 15 million Borders customers who receive the retailer's "Shortlist" emails, which provide insight into what's new and interesting in books, music, and movies, will now also have the opportunity to click from the "Shortlist" to the Borders.Gather.com online community. The community will offer rich content supplied in part by Borders including author chats, personal interviews with artists, exclusive insights, and in-store event information, as well as user-supplied content such as articles, blogs, and chats. Borders customers have the option to become Borders.Gather.com members at no cost and as such will be eligible to earn Gather Points™ for participating in the online community. These points are redeemable through the site for prizes such as Borders gift cards. "Conversations about books, music, and movies happen every day at work, at home, at dinner parties, and just about everywhere," said Borders Group Chief Executive Officer George Jones. "That's what makes our business so dynamic. Now that we have teamed up with Gather.com, Borders customers will find the best content available online and can use the power of the Gather.com platform to engage in a new level of social interaction on their shared passion for information and entertainment and their experiences with Borders. This is very much aligned with our mission to be a headquarters for knowledge and entertainment throughout the world." "The power of social networking and social media is changing the way companies interact with their customers," said Gather.com Founder and Chief Executive Officer Tom Gerace. "Borders is a brand that appeals to highly educated and highly informed adults who are the core of the Gather.com community. This demographic group is highly motivated to learn more, share more, and take advantage of a depth of information. We are pleased that Borders has selected Gather.com as its exclusive social media partner and we welcome Borders customers to Borders.Gather.com to create content, drive discussion, and take advantage of all that this new online community will offer." About Borders, Inc. About Gather.com For more information, visit www.gather.com or call (617) 720-4000, x1032. # # # Gather, Gather.com, and Gather Points are trademarks of Gather Inc. |
