London, 5 October, 2009–
The Times and The Sunday Times announce the launch of Times+, a new membership scheme and customer retention programme. Times+ will deepen the titles’ relationship with their readers, reward loyalty and generate new direct revenue streams.
The membership scheme builds on the huge success of Culture+, the exclusive arts and entertainment rewards programme, which has attracted 90,000 active members one year since launch. Times+ gives members an even greater range of exclusive events, offers, gifts and rewards that reflect reader passions from the arts to travel. Membership is open to all at a charge of £50 a year but is complimentary to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times.
James Harding, Editor of The Times, said: “We have the most varied, passionate and interesting readers. Times+ will bring those passions and interests to life. I am delighted we are able to give readers the opportunity to become part of the family of The Times.”
John Witherow, Editor of The Sunday Times, said: “The success of Culture+ has shown us that readers trust us to deliver what they want. Our greatest asset is our content. Times+ enables us to offer readers the chance to get even more out of the sections of the paper that they most value.”
Katie Vanneck-Smith, Managing Director Customer Direct, News International, said: “Times+ gives us the opportunity to redefine further our relationship with our readers and to reward their loyalty. We are moving away from the traditional model of volume in favour of developing more direct relationships with our customers based on their interests and passions.”
In addition to offering member benefits, Times+ also gives members free access to one of its associated specialist packs. Times+ launches with two packs, the popular Culture+ and the new Travel+. More packs will be added over the next 12 months. Subscribers can add an additional pack for £25.00 (non-subscriber price £50.00).
As with Culture+, the new Travel+ will give members the chance to meet journalists, including the editors, columnists and critics, from both The Times and The Sunday Times, at bespoke events. It will also offer exclusive private excursions and tours, as well as upgrades and discounts. Travel+ includes a year’s subscription to The Sunday Times Travel magazine delivered direct to the door.
Top name brand partners, such as Cox & Kings, Mr & Mrs Smith, Virgin Holidays, Hip Hotels and Wellbeing Escapes, have signed up to Travel+ to ensure members get quality, value-added travel and related experiences.
Times+ is headed up by Suzi Watford, who launched Culture+ last year.
The Times+ website, www.timesplus.co.uk, has been developed by the digital agency Clock. The brand identity was created by global brand consultants venturethree.
Notes to Editors
News International Limited publishes The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun and News of the World. In terms of growth, share, circulation and reader engagement, the Company’s titles are among the world’s most successful. News Printers Group Ltd prints the national titles and operates as a contract printing subsidiary for the three state of the art printing plants. Further brands which are part of the group include the Times Literary Supplement and milkround.co.uk. The News International group has investments in property search-engine globrix.com and fashion website BrandAlley.co.uk.
In 2007, News International Ltd became the UK’s first carbon neutral newspaper publisher. This was achieved by increasing energy efficiency, switching to renewable energy and combined heat and power and purchasing high quality offsets.
The Times won Newspaper of the Year at the UK Press Awards in April 2009. It overtook The Daily Telegraph in terms of readers for the first time in April 2009 and now has more business readers than both the Financial Times and The Daily Telegraph combined.
The Sunday Times was the only quality and mid-market national newspaper title to show year-on-year growth in August. This is the seventh consecutive month that this has happened. It has now recorded year-on-year circulation growth for nine out of the last ten months.
Culture+
Contact:
Daisy Dunlop 020 7782 6019
The Times, Jessica Carsen 020 7782 5623
The Sunday Times, Mary Fulton 07702 421167