Borders Is 'Twilight' Central this Season with Vampire Inspired Books, CDs, Calendars, Gifts, Free In-Store Parties, Exclusive Online Content, Podcast and More!

Borders Is 'Twilight' Central this Season with Vampire Inspired Books, CDs, Calendars, Gifts, Free In-Store Parties, Exclusive Online Content, Podcast and More!

Vampire craze spawned by blockbuster Stephenie Meyer book series and upcoming Summit Entertainment feature film "Twilight" inspires wide range of gift options at all price points for teens and young adults -- many exclusive to Borders

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- One of Santa's little elves presides over a sprawling display of gift items that debuts today at Borders stores nationwide. But this is no ordinary elf -- instead of a sweet smile, he flashes a sharp set of fangs, signaling that Borders is the place to find gifts for the multitudes of young people today who have become passionate about vampires. It started with bestselling author Stephenie Meyer's first book "Twilight" about a high school romance between a mortal girl and her teen vampire boyfriend, and now three books in the series later, has blossomed into a craze that will gain even more momentum Nov. 21 when Summit Entertainment releases the highly anticipated feature film "Twilight." Borders was bitten early by what has been called a "full-blown pop culture phenomenon" and has amassed an incredible selection of gift items -- everything from the books to the film soundtrack CD to T-shirts, calendars and even jewelry -- in one sweeping display at the front of its stores that is sure to attract shoppers thirsty for gifts at all price points for hard-to-please teens and young adults. Borders, which is one of Summit Entertainment's primary retail partners for "Twilight," will even host free in-store parties Nov. 15 at nearly all of its stores nationwide.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081104/CLTU078 )

"If you are a 'Twilight' fan or know someone who is into the vampire craze, Borders is the place to be this holiday season," said Rob Gruen, executive vice president of merchandising and marketing for Borders Group. "We absolutely have it all, including an incredible range of gifts -- many of which are under $20 -- as well as the books that inspired the phenomenon. We're even having special 'Twilight' film release parties in our stores and have an incredible amount of exclusive video content on Borders.com related to this book series and the film. Borders is clearly 'Twilight' central this holiday!"

Books/Periodicals/Calendars

Stephenie Meyer's books are of course front and center on the display. All four titles in the "Twilight" series -- "Twilight," "New Moon," "Eclipse" and the finale "Breaking Dawn" -- are available with some now also in paperback editions as well as hardcover. There is a special boxed set of all four titles in hardcover, which makes an impressive gift and comes with a poster. In addition, there are "Twilight" movie related titles such as "Twilight: The Complete Illustrated Movie Companion," which is a behind-the-scenes paperback guide featuring full-color photos of the cast, locations, and sets, as well as storyboards, and interviews.

Borders also offers an exclusive 16-month "Twilight" film calendar featuring lush photographs of the cast. It is the only calendar available for the film and you'll only find it at Borders. In addition, stores will be stocked with a magazine, "Film Fantasy Presents Twilight."

Music

Music from the "Twilight" film is captured on the "Twilight Movie Soundtrack" from Atlantic Records, which features artists such as Linkin Park, Muse, Collective Soul, Perry Farrell and Paramore, who recorded their song "Decode" in an acoustic version that is available only on the Borders exclusive version of the CD as a bonus track.

Gifts and Stocking Stuffers

Borders is stepping outside of the traditional book, music and movie categories with the "Twilight" phenomenon, offering a wide selection of gift and stocking stuffer items. Most of these items will be available the week of the "Twilight" movie release Nov. 21 and many of these "Twilight" gift items are exclusive to Borders so they cannot be purchased anywhere else. Fans will find apparel such as T-shirts in several different designs and in styles for men and women, a hoodie, and a messenger bag. There are also bookmarks, key chains, posters, pens, a pin set, a magnet set, stickers and wall scrolls, as well as jewelry that is authentic to what the characters wear in the film including a necklace, bracelet, a leather cuff bracelet and more.

Spend $25 and Get Exclusive Poster Free

Borders is the only retailer where, with the purchase of items totaling $25 or more within the "Twilight" saga, customers will receive a free collectible and Borders -- exclusive Twilight poster featuring a photo of Edward and Bella taken from the Borders exclusive calendar. Sized at 18-by-24 inches, it is the perfect extra special gift add-on for that vampire fan.

Party Like a Vampire Nov. 15!

Nearly all Borders and Waldenbooks stores nationwide will welcome fans Saturday, Nov. 15 beginning at 7 p.m. for free "Are You Ready for Twilight?" parties designed to give those anxious for the film's release an outlet to express their passion for all things "Twilight." Guests are encouraged to come in costume!

Parties will include activities such as a sure-to-be lively movie discussion where fans will debate what they expect from the film, "Twilight" charades, a quote contest challenging knowledge of the books and more. In addition, part of the fun will be a listening party featuring the film soundtrack and fans at many Borders stores will also be treated to a special viewing of the "Twilight" film DVD screener featuring behind-the-scenes peeks at the movie. Some stores will also host additional activities such as fortune telling, creative writing and more. Movie tickets for "Twilight" will be given away as prizes at many of the parties, courtesy of Fandango, the nation's largest movie ticketing service.

"Twilight" Online at Borders.com -- See Us on the Red Carpet at the L.A. "Twilight" Premiere

At www.bordersmedia.com/twilight/ fans will find an incredible depth of special content, much of it exclusive to Borders.com. On this special site, fans will find: five minutes of exclusive footage of the making of "Twilight;" interviews with the cast of the film that are exclusive to Borders and have to date been viewed by more than 500,000 fans; movie trailer clips; interviews with Stephenie Meyer; coverage by MTV and the founders of Twilight Lexicon of Borders' "Breaking Dawn" release parties and an audio clip featuring the exclusive acoustic version of Paramore's "Decode," available only at Borders.

In addition, Borders will be reporting in person from the red carpet at the Nov. 17 L.A. premiere of "Twilight." Special access was granted to Borders, and following the premiere, Borders will post this unique coverage for all fans to see and enjoy this red-carpet coverage certain to feature the stars!

Podcast-Borders Westwood/Los Angeles-November 16

Borders will host a "Twilight" podcast from its store in Westwood, Calif., Nov. 16. The event will begin at 1:30 p.m. with a concert by the Twilight Music Girls. Born from a love of Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" saga, the Twilight Music Girls is a group of five accomplished Los Angeles-based singer/songwriters: Kris Angelis, Lauren Harding, Laura Serafine, Lyndzie Taylor and Mallory Trunnell. These artists have vastly different styles ranging from pop to folk to rock, with sprinklings of punk and jazz. Their lyrics are poignant yet subtle, connecting with fans of the book while still utilizing universal themes that any listener can identify with and enjoy.

Following the opening concert, the podcast will begin at 2 p.m. and will include discussion of the upcoming "Twilight" film, the evolution of fandom and upcoming "Twilight" conventions. Participants should brush up on their "Twilight" trivia as well. Special guests at the podcast include three actors from the "Twilight" film, including Michael Welch, who plays Mike Newton; Peter Facinelli, who portrays vampire patriarch Dr. Carlisle Cullen; and Jackson Rathbone, who is Jasper Hale in the film. The podcast will be hosted by Becka Grapsy of TwilightLive and Andrew Sims of Imprint. Panelists will include: Kallie Mathews and Kassie Rodgers of Twilight Series Theories and Matt Britton of Imprint. Also joining the discussion as front-row panelists will be Jen Lamoureaux of Twilight Lexicon; Lauren of Twilight Facebook; Britton of TwilightMOMs; Kaleb Nation of Twilight Guy; Becky Scoggins of TwiCon and BresslerScoggins Literary Management; Larry Carol of MTV's "Twilight Tuesdays;" Bailey Gauthier of NoMoreMarbles; Linsey Jackson of Twilight Series Theories; Cat Kalisch of His Golden Eyes and Medya and Melanie of M2 Parodies.

About Borders Group, Inc.

Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., Borders Group, Inc. (NYSE:BGP) is a leading retailer of books, music and movies with more than 28,000 employees. Through its subsidiaries, the company operates more than 1,100 stores worldwide primarily under the Borders(R) and Waldenbooks(R) brand names and recently launched Borders.com for online shopping. For more information, visit www.borders.com/aboutus .

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081104/CLTU078
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Borders

CONTACT: Anne Roman of Borders, +1-734-477-1392

Web site: http://www.bordersmedia.com/twilight
http://www.borders.com/aboutus
http://www.borders.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/106169.html

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