DULLES, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 21, 1999--
CompuServe 2000 Major Success in Value Segment as Service Gains More Than 300,000 Net New North American Subscribers So Far in Fiscal First Quarter
Membership Growth of AOL's Flagship Premium Mass Market Brand Set to Exceed Last Year's First Quarter Record
America Online, Inc. (NYSE: AOL), the world's leading interactive services company, today will announce at its company-wide employee meeting that its two interactive service brands, AOL and CompuServe, are on track to post record membership for first quarter growth.
CompuServe 2000 -- the newest version of CompuServe, the company's value brand -- so far in the quarter has added more than 300,000 net new members in North America. At the same time, its mass market premium brand, AOL, is on track to beat last year's record September quarter.
The Company credited CompuServe 2000's positioning as the Internet value leader, its summer PC rebate offer, next-generation software, and aggressive advertising for this record membership growth.
The Company also said that it would extend its current PC rebate program through the holiday shopping season. CompuServe 2000 with its retail and computer manufacturer partners have been offering $400 PC rebate offers for price-oriented consumers.
Bob Pittman, America Online's President and Chief Operating Officer, said: "AOL's ability to further widen the gap in the premium segment and CompuServe's emergence as the leader in the value segment underscores the continuing momentum and strength of our business.
"We are extremely pleased with our aggressive entry into the smaller value segment of the market. CompuServe 2000 is taking the category by storm. At the same time, AOL's flagship brand continues to attract at a record pace the mass-market consumer who wants a premium, full-service answer to their Internet online needs."
Mr. Pittman continued, "As the only company with multiple brand offerings, the AOL and CompuServe services thrive side-by-side as market leaders in their respective segments and are driving overall membership growth for the Company and strong financial results for our shareholders."
About CompuServe
CompuServe, the Internet value leader, provides complete and comprehensive products and access for more than 2 million worldwide members at home, in the workplace and around the globe. CompuServe, a wholly owned subsidiary of America Online, Inc. (NYSE: AOL), offers members unparalleled depth and breadth of content, hundreds of Forums and access to the Internet.
CompuServe recently introduced CompuServe 2000 - the brand's most significant software upgrade ever -- to offer consumers faster Internet connections through V.90/56K bps access, easier installation and registration, expanded customization options, more powerful e-mail features, and simpler navigation.
CompuServe also offers a comprehensive, yet easy-to-navigate Web gateway for CompuServe members and Internet users which is available at www. CompuServe.com.
About America Online, Inc.
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 more than 2 million members; several leading Internet brands including ICQ, AOL Instant Messenger and Digital City, Inc.; the Netscape Netcenter and AOL.COM portals; the Netscape Navigator and Communicator browsers; AOL MovieFone, the nation's No. 1 movie listing guide and ticketing service; and Spinner Networks and NullSoft, Inc., leaders in Internet music.
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.
CONTACT:
America Online, Dulles
Tricia Primrose, 703/265-1746 |
