America Online, Inc. Surpasses Three Million AOL and Compuserve Members Outside the United States
January 26, 1999 08:33 AM
DULLES, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 26, 1999--
Milestone Underscores Momentum in International Markets
AOL Services' International Membership Nearly Doubled in Last Year to More than 2 Million Members
America Online, Inc. AOL , the world's leading branded interactive services company, today announced that it has surpassed 2 million AOL members outside the United States to reach a total of more than 3 million AOL and CompuServe international members.
Demonstrating the strength of AOL's strategy to build its global brand by customizing services to local markets, AOL branded services outside the U.S. have reached the 2 million member milestone just three years after the first AOL international service was launched in Germany. By comparison, AOL's U.S. service took ten years to reach two million members. The CompuServe service was acquired last year.
Steve Case, Chairman and CEO of America Online, Inc., said, "AOL is leading the transformation of interactive services into a global mass-market phenomenon. The interactive medium is growing rapidly internationally, as people around the world are making it an indispensable part of their everyday lives. AOL and CompuServe, with their world-class local partners, are helping the world to get connected and creating a dynamic global community."
Bob Pittman, President and COO of American Online, Inc., said, "The continued extraordinary growth outside the United States proves the global power of the AOL brand. The convenience and ease-of-use of AOL transcends borders and appeals to consumers everywhere. All around the world, people are discovering that AOL is the best way to communicate with family, friends and business associates, find information, meet new people, shop, and just have fun."
Jack Davies, President of AOL International, said, "We're proud of what we've been able to accomplish in the short time since we launched our first international service with Bertelsmann in Germany three years ago. Our goal has been to extend the AOL experience and build a global community through the development of strong local partnerships in key world markets.
"AOL and CompuServe offer winning choices to international consumers, and we look forward to building on our leading positions in current markets and continuing to expand into new ones."
International Momentum Continues
AOL continues to build on its international momentum by expanding into new markets. In 1999, AOL will launch a Chinese and English language service in Hong Kong with partner China Internet Corporation (CIC).
AOL also announced in December 1998 plans to bring AOL to Latin America with joint venture partner The Cisneros Group of Companies. AOL services will initially be launched in Brazil, Mexico and Argentina with other markets to be added in the future.
AOL's international presence helps make it the most portable service in the world. AOL is helping members to stay connected when they are away from home by providing dial-up access from more 100 countries around the world via AOL GLOBALnet and AOLnet networks.
A 1998 America Online/Roper Starch Cyberstudy found that it is increasingly important to people to access their email when they travel. The Cyberstudy found that 47% of those surveyed take laptops with them when they travel on business, and 36% of them check e-mail.
About AOL International
AOL provides a whole new Internet online experience to consumers around the world. Members enjoy AOL-branded online services with the unparalleled ease-of-use, functionality, multimedia interface, e-mail, chat, integrated Internet access, unique communication and personalization features, Instant Messenger(TM) and Buddy List(TM) features, and the affordable pricing that have made AOL the most popular brand in cyberspace.
Each service outside the United States is a truly local service with local management, unique local content that reflects regional preferences, local customer service and pricing, with the added benefit of access to the exclusive content and the members of AOL's other global services.
AOL International operates AOL and CompuServe localized services in ten countries and in five languages. With its joint venture partner Bertelsmann AG, AOL operates the AOL and CompuServe brands in Europe -- making it the leading pan-European Internet online provider with more than 2.4 million members.
AOL branded services in Europe are offered in the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, with access for Austria, Switzerland and Sweden.
CompuServe branded services in Europe are provided in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. AOL also operates AOL Canada, a wholly owned subsidiary of America Online, Inc.; and in Asia operates a service in Japan with its joint venture partners Mitsui and Nikkei, and recently launched a service in Australia with partner Bertelsmann AG.
AOL will launch a Chinese and English language service in Hong Kong with partner China Internet Corporation (CIC) in 1999, and announced plans in December 1998 to bring AOL to Latin America with joint venture partner Cisneros Group of Companies.
About America Online, Inc.
America Online, Inc., based in Dulles, Virginia, is the world's leader in branded interactive services and content. America Online, Inc. operates two worldwide Internet services: America Online, with more than 15 million members; and CompuServe, with approximately 2 million members.
America Online, Inc. also operates AOL Studios, the world's leading creator of original interactive content.
Other branded Internet services operated by America Online, Inc. include AOL.COM, the world's most accessed Web site from home; Digital City, Inc., the No. 1 local content network and community guide on AOL and the Internet; AOL NetFind, AOL's comprehensive guide to the Internet; AOL Instant Messenger, an instant messaging tool available on both AOL and the Internet; and ICQ, an instant communications and chat technology on the Internet.
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