e.spire and BankAtlantic Join to Promote Internet Services; e.spire Subsidiary CyberGate Recommended For Internet Services throughout Florida
ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, Md., March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- e.spire Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: ESPI - news) today announced that it has begun a joint marketing effort with BankAtlantic (NYSE: BBX - news; Nasdaq: BANC - news) to promote Internet services throughout Florida. Through e.spire's Internet subsidiary, CyberGate, BankAtlantic customers will be eligible for discounts on Internet service, accessed either from their homes or offices. The joint effort evolved because of the companies' extensive dual presence throughout the state.
''BankAtlantic is one of the largest banks in Florida, and we're the largest Internet service provider there. With the overlap of our territories, it makes sense to leverage each other's customers to win new business,'' said Jeffrey D. Rubenstein, Esq., Chief Operating Officer of CyberGate.
Free Internet Trial for All BankAtlantic Customers
As part of the joint effort, BankAtlantic is offering one month of free Internet access to its customers. In addition, the company has already begun to promote CyberGate's dial-up Internet access and Web-hosting services by including a coupon insert in each customer's monthly statement.
''The Internet is an easy and effective way for us to communicate with our customers on a large scale,'' said Ellen Schlafer, Senior Vice President of Marketing at BankAtlantic.
''We are pleased to recommend CyberGate for customers who want fast Internet access at an affordable price. As part of that referral, we also have the opportunity to encourage customers to use our on-line banking services.''
One in a Series of Cross Marketing Relationships
Cross marketing relationships, such as this one with BankAtlantic, have become increasingly important to e.spire. The company recently established a similar agreement with Network Solutions, the Internic domain name registration provider.
''As demand for Internet access and the competition among service providers has grown, it has become more expensive to reach potential customers,'' said Rubenstein. ''This relationship, and others like it, allow us to stretch our marketing dollars. We will continue to develop these win-win relationships.''
With assets of $3.8 billion, BankAtlantic is one of the largest financial institutions offering individual, business, and corporate banking services in Florida. BankAtlantic has 70 full-service branches, including 16 in Wal*Mart Supercenter stores, in 17 Florida counties. BankAtlantic is also a major Florida employer with more than 1,000 employees statewide. For more information on BankAtlantic, visit its Web site, www.bankatlantic.com.
CyberGate, acquired in January 1997, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of e.spire, and is the largest Internet service provider (ISP) in the state of Florida. The company offers dial-up Internet access, as well as Web-hosting services. For more information about CyberGate, contact www.gate.net.
e.spire is a leading provider of integrated communications solutions, including dedicated access, local dial tone, long distance, advanced data, Internet and networking solutions, in markets throughout the United States. For more information on e.spire, contact www.espire.net on the Internet.
SOURCE: e.spire Communications, Inc.
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