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ANN ARBOR, Mich., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Ask just about anyone what their favorite Motown hit is and most will have a hard time picking just one. From "My Girl" by the Temptations to Marvin Gaye's haunting "What's Going On," Motown songs - and the talented artists and musicians who produced them - have touched the hearts of music fans worldwide over the last 50 years. Beginning this month and throughout the entire year, Borders will celebrate Motown's 50th anniversary with a prominent in-store display of Motown music selections along with related items, such as anniversary T-shirts. In addition, the retailer is devoting a special page on Borders.com dedicated to Motown's anniversary, and will host both past and present Motown artists including Boyz II Men, Martha Reeves of Martha Reeves and the Vandellas and Duke Fakir of The Four Tops for in-store appearances and signings in Los Angeles and Detroit.

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Borders invites Motown fans to attend free in-store events in Los Angeles and in the Detroit area, which will give customers the opportunity to come together to celebrate their passion for the music that helped shape our popular culture. Boyz II Men, who were recently nominated for a 2009 Grammy Award for their Decca debut album "Motown: A Journey through Hitsville USA," will sign CDs and answer questions at the Westwood Borders store in Los Angeles Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. In addition, Duke Fakir of The Four Tops and Martha Reeves of Martha Reeves and the Vandellas will greet fans, answer questions and sign CDs at the Borders store in Dearborn Jan. 16 at 7 p.m.

Beginning today, customers can visit Borders' special Motown Web page at www.borders.com/motown where they can read about their favorite Motown artists, view vintage photos in the Motown image gallery and purchase CDs online. Throughout the year, Borders will also prominently display in its stores nationwide a large selection of Motown CDs from artists such as Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, including the anticipated "NOW That's What I Call Motown," a 50th anniversary compilation of 25 Motown classics, available in stores and online beginning Jan. 13. When customers visit their local Borders store to stock up on their favorite music titles, they can also purchase an exclusive Motown 50th anniversary Borders gift card for the music fan in their lives - a great keepsake to mark the label's historic 50th anniversary. Select Borders stores are also offering Motown- themed T-shirts in two designs for men and women. Further, with any purchase of a Motown item, customers will receive (while supplies last) a complimentary 17-inch-by-27.5-inch poster featuring a colorful display of vintage images of various Motown artists.

"We feel a special connection to Motown because our company was founded and remains headquartered in Ann Arbor, just miles from Motown's Detroit birthplace. We have a tremendous affinity for the artists that this legendary label has produced over the past five decades," said Anne Kubek, executive vice president of Merchandising and Marketing for Borders Group.

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. For online shopping, visit Borders.com. For more information about the company, visit www.borders.com/aboutus.