Bertelsmann and AOL Expand Their Alliance
Media and direct marketing powerhouse Bertelsmann AG, based in Gutersloh, Germany, has expanded its alliance with interactive electronic giant America Online Inc. to increase the distribution of Bertelsmann’s content and e-commerce properties.
Under the four-year $250 million alliance, Bertelsmann’s music, magazine, book, and other entertainment properties and its e-commerce sites will be featured on the AOL, CompuServe and Netscape Online interactive services worldwide as well as on its Instant Messenger, ICQ, AOL.COM, Digital City, Spinner, Winamp and its other global Internet properties. Bertelsmann will provide broadband distribution for AOL services.
The companies have also agreed to restructure their ownership interests in AOL Europe and AOL Australia.
