CompUSA And America Online Announce Retail Marketing Alliance to Bring Consumers Access, Education and Support
August 27, 1999 08:30 AM
DALLAS & DULLES, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 27, 1999--
- CompUSA to Distribute AOL and CompuServe 2000 Software -
CompUSA Stores Nationwide to Become Online Marketing and Education Centers
CompUSA Inc. CPU , America's Largest Computer Superstore(R), and America Online, Inc. AOL , the world's leading interactive services company, today announced a marketing alliance designed to provide consumers coming online for the first time with access, education and the technical support necessary to meet their needs. The agreement underlines the commitment of both companies to providing convenient and easy-to-use computer and online solutions and customer service.
Under the proposed new agreement, CompUSA will offer an enhanced line of CompUSA PCs which have been optimized for AOL, including a customized AOL keyboard with one-button access to AOL. CompUSA will pre-load AOL and CompuServe software on all CompUSA PCs sold through CompUSA stores, and will also distribute AOL and CompuServe software in all CompUSA stores. Special rates for "Dial-a-Tech" unlimited 24-hour CompUSA customer support will also be offered to AOL and CompuServe members. CompUSA will continue to offer $400 off any PC to any purchaser who signs up for 36 months of CompuServe 2000 Premier, and the CompUSA PC optimized for AOL will also be eligible for this offer.
In addition, CompUSA and AOL will work together to develop training classes on how to effectively use AOL software. These classes will be offered at selected CompUSA in-store training facilities across the country. Led by CompUSA training instructors, classes will cover issues of interest to consumers going online today, including personal finance, small business, and children's online safety.
Bob Pittman, America Online's President and Chief Operating Officer, said, "This alliance with CompUSA gives us the opportunity to bring the next wave of consumers online in new and exciting ways, and provide them with the education and support they need to get the most out of their online experience. The CompUSA PCs with pre-installed AOL software will offer a convenient and easy-to-use online experience for new users and offer these buyers the best customer support available anywhere. Our Internet classes in CompUSA stores nationwide will help demonstrate to consumers how going online will improve their lives and give them the confidence and comfort to make the transition smoothly and quickly."
CompUSA president and CEO James F. Halpin said, "Our innovative partnership with America Online will make CompUSA the leading one-stop destination for consumers seeking to go online for the first time with AOL and CompuServe services. Not only will we provide these consumers with a PC completely ready to go online with AOL, but we will have the opportunity to teach them how to maximize the value of their online experience. We are confident that this comprehensive solution for accessing the Internet will be extremely attractive to consumers."
About America Online
Founded in 1985, America Online, Inc., based in Dulles, Virginia, is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies, and e-commerce services. America Online, Inc. operates: two worldwide Internet services, America Online, with more than 18 million members, and CompuServe, with approximately 2 million members; several leading Internet brands including ICQ and Digital City, Inc.; the Netscape Netcenter and AOL.COM portals; and the Netscape Navigator and Communicator browsers. Through its strategic alliance with Sun Microsystems, the Company develops and offers easy-to-deploy, end-to-end e-commerce and enterprise solutions for companies operating in the Net Economy.
About CompUSA Inc.
CompUSA Inc. (www.compusa.com) is one of the nation's leading retailers and resellers of personal computers and related products and services. CompUSA Inc. currently operates 210 CompUSA Computer Superstores(SM) in 82 major metropolitan markets across the United States that serve retail, corporate, government and education customers and include technical service departments and classroom training facilities. CompUSA also offers its own build-to-order personal computer series, the CompUSA PC(TM).
This news release contains forward-looking statements about the business, financial condition, and prospects of the America Online and CompUSA. Actual results could differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements because of various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, changes in product demand, the availability of products, changes in competition, economic conditions, various inventory risks due to changes in market conditions and other risks indicated in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports. All of the foregoing risks and uncertainties are beyond the ability of the Companies to control, and in many cases, the Companies cannot predict the risks and uncertainties that could cause its actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, the words "believes," "anticipates," "expects," "plans" and similar expressions as they relate to the Companies or their management are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
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