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AOL Germany Surpasses One Million Members; First AOL Service Outside US to Reach Million-Member Milestone
DULLES, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 14, 1999--
Localized Version of AOL 5.0, Next-Generation Software, to Roll-Out to
AOL Germany Members Throughout the Fall
AOL Europe, the largest multi-national Internet online service in Europe, today announced that AOL Germany has exceeded 1 million members, making it the first AOL service outside of the US to surpass the million-member milestone.
Launched in 1995 as AOL Europe's first service, AOL Germany reached the million-member mark more than twice as quickly as the AOL service did in the US. AOL in the US took nine years to reach the milestone in 1994.
Worldwide, AOL now has more than 18 million members.
AOL Europe, a joint venture between America Online, Inc. and Bertelsmann AG, said it expected AOL Germany's popular new pricing plan to help fuel continued strong membership growth. Introduced October 1, the plan offers AOL Germany members a flat monthly rate of DM 9.90 monthly for unlimited access to AOL and the Internet, as well as lower telephone connection fees and simplified online billing.
Also building membership is the rollout of the next-generation AOL 5.0 software that will make the AOL experience even richer, easier and more convenient -- with faster Internet access and simplified navigation. And AOL Germany recently launched a new advertising campaign that features tennis champion and national sports figure Boris Becker.
Uwe Heddendorp, Managing Director, AOL Germany, said: "Reaching this million-member milestone in record time underscores the strong momentum behind the AOL brand in Germany. And, judging from the tremendous early response, our innovative AOL 5.0 software, revolutionary pricing plan, and exciting new marketing campaign will accelerate this momentum and help Germans make AOL even more central to their everyday lives."
Andreas Schmidt, President and Chief Executive Officer of AOL Europe, said: "We are very proud that AOL Germany has become the first AOL service outside of the US to surpass one million members. We are confident that our new fixed-rate pricing plan, as well as the rollout of our next-generation AOL 5.0, is making AOL more attractive than ever to German Internet consumers. And our aggressive new advertising campaign with Boris Becker is successfully getting that message out. AOL's dynamic membership growth in Germany reflects the increasing success that our Company is experiencing across Europe."
About AOL Europe
AOL Europe was formed in late 1995 as a joint venture between America Online Inc. and Bertelsmann AG, the world's third largest media group. From the first service launch in 1996, it has grown to 2.7 million households in just over three years, making it the largest European Internet online service. AOL Europe is committed to the same multiple-brand strategy successfully developed by AOL in the US. AOL Europe manages all of AOL's and CompuServe's European services across nine countries, plus the recently launched Netscape Online service in the UK, as well as its Web brand, AOL Instant Messenger. It employs almost 2000 people, including close to 1400 in customer services roles.
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 approximately 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, Inc., Dulles
Kirsten Powers, 703/265-1746
KEYWORD: VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL EUROPE
BW1176 OCT 14,1999 |
