AARP and Borders Enter Into Long-Term Agreement to Offer Unique Benefits and Valuable Discounts to AARP Members

Entries open for AARP/Borders essay competition, "Your Next Chapter"

WASHINGTON, May 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AARP and Borders(R) announced today a long-term agreement that will provide unique benefits and discounts to AARP's more than 39 million members. The nation's largest membership organization for people age 50 and over and Borders will combine forces to expand access to information on health, financial security, travel, and other issues important to personal growth and quality of life for those over 50. In addition, Borders will offer AARP members in-store and online discounts on select merchandise and will encourage AARP members to take advantage of the benefits of membership in the Borders Rewards(R) customer loyalty program, which now has over 26 million members.

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"The combination of Borders' incredible reach and its commitment to helping people live richer more satisfying lives through knowledge and entertainment provides AARP with an unprecedented opportunity to better serve our members," said John Wider, Executive Vice President, AARP Services, Inc. "We are truly excited about this relationship and look forward to working with Borders to deliver information and benefits that are unique and meaningful."

In addition to prominently displaying free AARP literature and materials on special fixtures in its superstores nationwide, Borders will provide AARP members with a 10% discount off the list price of paperback books and a 35% discount off the list price of AARP-published book titles. Borders will also host, often in conjunction with an AARP state office, free in-store events designed to provide people over 50 with information and insights on a variety of relevant topics.

"There is a strong synergy between Borders and AARP," said Borders Group Executive Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing Rob Gruen. "Both of us are focused on helping people get what they want out of life through sharing of information, knowledge, ideas, and inspiration. By teaming with AARP, the most respected and trusted organization for people over 50, Borders is serving as a resource in our communities and connecting people with ideas, which is what we are all about."

To mark today's announcement and commemorate AARP's 50th anniversary, Borders and AARP are also launching "Your Next Chapter," an essay contest designed to spark the imaginations of Americans over 50 and get them thinking about how they plan to spend the rest of their lives, or their "next chapter," and share their aspirations with others.

"These days, the question 'what are you going to do with the rest of your life?' is hardly reserved only for young people," added AARP Services' Wider. "At age 50, most people start thinking not about the kind of future they need to have to take care of young families or climb the career ladder, but about the kind of future they want to have and what that future may look like. With this essay contest, Borders and AARP are asking people to give a written voice to their plans -- whether they want to run a marathon, learn a new language, start a new career, or just go fishing -- and in doing so, we think they'll inspire others along the way."

To enter, U.S. residents age 50 and over simply write a 350-word (or less) "Your Next Chapter" essay with attention to creativity and originality, inspirational quality, and appropriateness to the topic. Essays may be submitted online or via mail. Online, visit www.yournextchaptercontest.com where entrants simply click on the "upload it here" link, and follow the posted instructions. By mail, participants send entries to Borders/AARP "Your Next Chapter" Contest Entries, P.O. Box 5529,Blair, NE 68009-5529. All entries must be received by July 14, 2008 to be eligible.

A panel of judges will select one grand prize winner who will receive a $5,000 prize package that includes a lifetime AARP membership as well as a trip for two toWashington, D.C. in September to attend AARP's popular "Life at 50+" event, which includes concerts and shows as well as a vast array of seminars, informational booths and celebrity appearances. In addition, through Borders, the grand prize winner will receive a $250 Borders gift card, a portable Reader Digital Book from Sony, and a Borders Personal Publishing Premium package from Lulu.com. The grand prize winner and his/her essay will be featured on the AARP and Borders Web sites, and the winner will participate in an exciting publicity effort to share their essay and help inspire others.

In addition to the grand prize winner, AARP and Borders will award five first place winners with a five-year AARP membership, a $100 Borders gift card, and a Borders Personal Publishing Standard package from Lulu.com. The essays of first place winners will also be posted on the AARP and Borders Web sites.

"The Borders brand is all about personal exploration, growth and inspiration," said Gruen. "We know that people over 50 have some great plans in mind for their 'next chapter' in life and we can't wait to read about those plans and help share them with others through this competition."

About AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 33 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 39 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, theDistrict of Columbia,Puerto Rico, and theU.S. Virgin Islands.

About AARP Services Inc.

AARP Services, founded in 1999, is a wholly owned subsidiary of AARP. AARP Services manages the wide range of products and services that are offered as benefits to AARP's 39+ million members. The offers span health products, travel and leisure products, and life event services. Specific products include Medicare supplemental insurance; member discounts on rental cars, cruises, vacation packages and lodging; special offers on technology and gifts; pharmacy services; legal services; and long-term care insurance. AARP Services founded AARP Financial Incorporated, a subsidiary that manages AARP-endorsed financial products including AARP Funds. AARP Services develops new products, manages and markets products and services, creates and maintains partnership and sponsorship relationships, and develops and manages AARP's award-winning Web site, AARP.org.

About Borders Group, Inc.

Headquartered inAnn Arbor, Mich., Borders Group, Inc. (NYSE: BGP) is a leading global retailer of books, music and movies. Through its subsidiaries, Borders Group employs approximately 30,000 and operates over 1,100 stores worldwide as well as the newly launched Borders.com. More information on the company is available at http://www.borders.com.

SOURCE AARP

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