Penguin to let Londoners read its books for free in TfL and Virgin Media tie-up
Penguin is offering passengers on the London Underground the opportunity to read extracts of new books, ideas and author interviews this summer as part of the publisher's 80th anniversary celebrations.
In collaboration with Transport for London (TfL) and Virgin Media's Wifi service, Penguin has created a dedicated mobile-first site called Summer of Penguin where passengers will be offered a daily choice of stories from the publisher to read or listen to during their journey. The digital experience has been illustrated by graphic designer Rob Lowe.
Hannah Telfer, group director, consumer and digital development at Penguin Random House UK said the collaboration will allow the company to deliver content from its authors, which include Harper Lee, John Cleese and Terry Pratchett, to new audiences.
"This partnership takes the written word beyond the page to inspire and entertain travellers on the London Underground and celebrates the stories, writing and ideas that have shaped Penguin over the past eighty years, as well as the incredible talent that we publish now as part of Penguin Random House.”
The activity, which runs from 3 to 28 August, follows the publication of the Little Black Classics – 80 classic books of 80 pages at 80p each – in January to mark the start of Penguin’s 80th Birthday celebrations.