America Online and Excite Announce New Agreement to Bring NetFind Search Capability to AOL Japan and AOL Canada
Business Wire - May 20, 1998 08:35
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DULLES, Va. and REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 1998-- America Online Inc. (NYSE:AOL), and Excite Inc. (NASDAQ:XCIT), a leading Internet media company, today announced an agreement to launch localized versions of the AOL NetFind product, powered by Excite, on the AOL Japan and AOL Canada services.
Under the agreement, AOL NetFind will be the default Web search and directory product on the AOL Canada and AOL Japan Internet online services and both companies will share advertising revenues generated on the services.
As in the U.S., AOL Canada's and AOL Japan's NetFind Web search service will be powered by Excite's leading search and navigation technology. For Japan, Excite will customize its technology to work with Japanese language characters and Japan's double-byte operating system.
AOL NetFind is the Web-based search engine integrated into AOL.COM, AOL's home page and the number one consumer site on the Internet, to assist both AOL and Web users in quickly and easily finding specific sites, services and content on the Internet.
With AOL NetFind, AOL users simply type in a word or phrase describing the information they seek, and they immediately receive a comprehensive list of links to Websites matching their request.
Jack Davies, President of AOL International commented, "Excite's smart search technology will fundamentally improve the Web searching experience for AOL Canada and AOL Japan members. With Excite's leadership, AOL NetFind technology is a proven leader in Web-based searching in the United States, and we are very much looking forward to bringing our experience and technology to our members in Canada and Japan."
"AOL is a very strategic and strong partner for Excite, and we are committed to working closely to develop the global market for our audiences," said George Bell, President and CEO, Excite Inc. "Japan is an especially important growth market for the Web and we are pleased to expand our joint services to Japanese users as well as Canadian users."
About America Online
America Online Inc., (NYSE:AOL) based in Dulles, is the world's leader in branded interactive services and content. America Online operates two worldwide Internet online services: AOL, with more than 12 million members; and CompuServe, with more than 2 million members. America Online also operates AOL Studios, the world's leading creator of original interactive content.
Other branded Internet services operated by America Online include AOL.COM, the world's most accessed Web site from home; AOL Instant Messenger, allowing instant communication with all AOL members and Internet users using the AOL Instant Messenger product; and AOL NetFind, AOL's comprehensive guide to the Internet. About AOL Canada
AOL Canada, which was officially launched in January 1996 by America Online Inc., is an interactive online service tailored to the Canadian marketplace which offers its members value, ease-of-use and convenience through state-of-the-art features. Members can communicate with friends, family and colleagues, find information, play, shop and conduct business all over the world. About AOL Japan
Launched in April 1997, AOL Japan Inc., is a 50/50 joint venture among America Online Inc., Mitsui & Co. Ltd. (40%), one of the world's largest trading companies, and Nihon Keizai Shimbun Inc. (10%), Japan's primary source for business and financial information.
About Excite Inc.
Founded in 1994, Excite Inc. is a global media company offering consumers a free online service with a simple front end to the Internet and extensive personalization capabilities, and advertisers the best one-to-one marketing services available online.
The Excite Network consists of two of the largest brands on the Web, Excite (www.excite.com) and WebCrawler (www.webcrawler.com), and its subsidiaries; MatchLogic Inc., Excite Japan Co. Ltd. and Excite UK Ltd.
Localized versions of Excite are available in France, Germany, the UK, The Netherlands, Sweden, Japan and Australia. Based in Redwood City, Calif., Excite Inc. (NASDAQ: XCIT) has strategic relationships with America Online Inc., Intuit Inc., Netscape Communications Corp., Prodigy Internet and Tribune Company.
CONTACT: America Online Inc.
Tom Ziemba, 703/265-3284
or
Excite Inc.
Heather Gore, 650/569-2048
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