Extra allows readers of the Guardian, The Observer and guardian.co.uk to get closer to its journalism at regular and exclusive live events, background briefings from experts, and a host of other exclusive offerings. The scheme also has an unparrallelled range of special offers with a host of carefully selected top-flight partners, including the V&A, National Portrait Gallery, Eden Project, Alastair Sawday's Travel Club, English National Opera, and Tate Britain, to name but a few.
Extra members will be given unprecedented access to the Guardian / Observer's multi-award winning offices in Kings Place, with special access to the papers' Editors, newsroom visits, plus interviews and events involving some of our most respected and senior journalists.
Richard J Thompson, Head of Membership, Guardian News & Media, said: "We are an extremely successful brand with a committed, loyal readership online and in print, so it makes sense for us to harness this and reward that loyalty by enabling readers to become more involved and engaged in the ground-breaking things we are doing as a paper.
"Extra will be different from traditional newspaper membership schemes in that events and activities will be truly reflective of the Guardian and The Observer's editorial coverage. It will provide us with a unique opportunity to explore many areas of mutual interest. It is about strengthening our most important relationship, our readership, and in turn providing a range of benefits that they wouldn't get elsewhere."
A dedicated web page at guardian.co.uk/extra will showcase the latest offers, events and competitions for members as well as providing an opportunity for feedback and suggestions. There will also be a dedicated Extra section in both The Guardian and The Observer each week.
Current subscribers will automatically join the scheme as part of their package. The scheme offers a free trial until 31 August 2010 for any reader that registers at guardian.co.uk/extra. Annual membership for non-Subscribers after 31 August will be £25.
