Borders and Gather.com Create Social Networking Web Site for Book, Music and Movie Lovers

ANN ARBOR, Mich. and BOSTON, Jan. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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(R), the global book, music and movie retailer, and Gather.com(TM), the leader in social media for adults, have teamed up under an exclusive new agreement to create an online community at Borders.Gather.com.

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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(TM) 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.

Borders is a subsidiary of Borders Group, Inc. a $4 billion retailer of books, music, movies and stationery items that trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BGP. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Borders Group, through its subsidiaries, operates more than 1,300 Borders and Waldenbooks stores and employs more than 34,000 people worldwide who serve more than 30 million customers each year. More information on the company is available at http://www.bordersgroupinc.com/.

About Gather.com

Gather.com (http://www.gather.com/) is the leader in social media for adults. Gather.com members are rewarded for their participation with Gather Points(TM) or even cash for top contributors. Gather.com is led by an all-star team of industry veterans with extensive experience in building highly successful, Internet-based companies and creating relevant content. The Gather.com site was named the winner of the Media/Portal category in the Massachusetts Innovation & Technology Exchange (MITX), 2005 annual awards -- the largest awards competition in the country that recognizes achievements in the development and implementation of interactive technologies. Gather.com is a privately held, privately funded company headquartered in Boston. For more information, visit http://www.gather.com/.