EarthLink and SAM'S Club Team Up To Provide Internet Access To SAM'S Club Members
PR Newswire - March 04, 1998 07:35 ELNK WMT %MLM %CPR %REA %JVN V%PRN P%PRN
Exclusive Offer Will Be Extended To More Than 21 Million SAM'S Club Members
PASADENA, Calif., March 4 /PRNewswire/ -- EarthLink Network, Inc. (Nasdaq: ELNK) and SAM'S Club today announced the promotion of a co-branded Internet access package to 21.4 million SAM'S Club members. The agreement marks the first time SAM'S Club, a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., has offered Internet access to its members. The exclusive arrangement is intended to give SAM'S Club members an incentive to get onto the Internet and an easy way to do it. EarthLink, which has built a reputation for world-class member support and education, is an ideal partner in that endeavor. The co-branded Internet access service also integrates well into SAM'S Club's merchandise offerings, because it offers unlimited Internet access with a minimum of hassles. "Member benefits add value to a SAM'S Club membership," said Brett Hutton, member benefits manager at SAM'S Club. "As part of an outstanding line of member benefits, EarthLink fits perfectly. With their easy software, top- notch service and Internet access options, they really make getting online a simple and productive proposition." All SAM'S Club members who sign up will get the same award-winning features and services available to all EarthLink members: email, 24 X 7, toll- free technical support, an EarthLink Personal Start Page, a 6MB Web site, a Web browser, and more. "The Internet has gone from a curiosity to a necessity in a very short time," said Bob Johnson, vice president of marketing and market development at EarthLink Network. "With all the new Internet users signing on every day, it's great that SAM'S Club has stepped up to the plate and given its members this opportunity to get online and see what it's all about. So far it's been a very successful program." SAM'S Club introduced the co-branded EarthLink service to members nationwide in February. In March and April, the offer will be publicized again through mailings, such as a business services mailer, and flyers sent with all credit card bills and membership renewal requests. For additional information or to sign up, call 888-733-SAMS and choose option 22. For additional information about EarthLink Network and its services, please call 800-395-8410 or visit www.earthlink.net.
About SAM'S Club SAM'S Club, with 1997 sales of more than $20 billion, is the largest wholesale club in the United States. SAM'S Club operates 443 units and employs more than 75,000 partners. SAM'S Club is a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), the world's largest retailer, with 1997 sales of more than $118 billion.
About EarthLink Network EarthLink Network is the world's largest independent Internet service provider. Through a full range of innovative access and hosting services, the company makes the Internet relevant and productive to hundreds of thousands of individuals and businesses every day. Headquartered in Pasadena, EarthLink provides local access to thousands of communities from more than 1,115 POPs in North America and 42 internationally. Additional service and pricing information is available by calling (800) 395-8425 and through EarthLink's Web site at earthlink.net. It's your Internet.
SOURCE EarthLink Network, Inc. /CONTACT: Kirsten Kappos, kirstenk@earthlink.net or Kurt Rahn, kurtrahn@earthlink.net, both of EarthLink Network, Inc., 626-296-2400; or Leasa Vignale, lvignale@mslpr.com or Ann Backowski, abackows@mslpr.com, both of Manning Selvage & Lee, 213-782-6600; or Daphne Davis, Wal-Mart, 501-273-6734, dedavis@wal-mart.com/ /Web site: earthlink.net (ELNK WMT) |