Netscape Signs Agreements With World Online, Lycos Bertelsmann and VNU
To Offer Consumers Internet Access Services and Localized Content
LONDON, May 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Netscape, a subsidiary of America Online
(NYSE: AOL), today announced it is expanding European Netcenter portal sites
by signing marketing agreements with three leading European companies: World
Online, Lycos Bertelsmann and VNU. In addition, Netscape announced that its
European Netcenter portal sites are growing rapidly, having doubled traffic
during the first three months of operation. This increase in traffic is just
one of the factors cited by World Online, Lycos Bertelsmann and VNU as they
announced new and expanded agreements with Netscape to deliver services and
localized content to European consumers.
"Our relationships with European companies such as World Online, Lycos
Bertelsmann, and VNU, demonstrate the value of Netscape browser and the strong
momentum of the International Netcenter sites in Europe," said Linda Lawrence,
vice president of International Netcenter. "Netscape helps companies build an
online brand and increase their audience, as they deliver innovative services
to new customers on the Internet."
The Netscape agreement with World Online is designed to make it more
convenient for European consumers to get online. As part of the agreement,
Netscape Communicator will be the default browser for the World Online service
in seven European countries and will be distributed by World Online as part of
the sign-up kit for their service. World Online will receive premier
positioning on the Netscape International Netcenter sites.
"World Online's goal of delivering a European-wide Internet access service
tailored to individual markets aligns perfectly with Netscape's International
strategy of expanding its Netcenter offerings to consumers everywhere," said
Nina Brink, CEO of World Online. "Our relationship with Netscape will provide
value to our customers by providing them with the best content and commerce
services available on the Internet."
In addition, Lycos Bertelsmann and VNU announced expanded agreements with
Netscape to deliver additional localized content to European customers in the
Netherlands and Spain. Lycos Bertelsmann and VNU cited the increase in
traffic for the Netscape European Netcenter sites among the factors for the
expansion of their agreements.
Available today in the Netherlands, Netscape Netcenter 2.0 delivers a
variety of local news covering Business, Technology, Sports, and Culture
through a signed agreement with VNU, one of the largest publishing companies
in Europe. VNU also provides a news ticker and the yellow pages for the Dutch
site. Lycos Bertelsmann is delivering search and other local content channels
and directories, including Business, Computers, Amusements, Art, Film, Careers
and Travel.
"There is great value attached to working with Netscape," said Harry
Michel, senior advisor, business development and analysis for VNU. "Their US
expertise is an asset, as many of the techniques used there can be easily
adapted or extended for local markets across Europe."
In Spain, Lycos Bertelsmann, a joint venture between Lycos, a leading Web
media company and Bertelsmann, one of the largest international media
companies, has announced that its search and local content is now available
on the next generation Netscape Netcenter 2.0. Lycos Bertelsmann's local
content for the Spanish Netcenter includes Automobiles, Computers, Women,
Health, Nature, Games, Jobs, Education and Government.
"Deciding to extend our search deal with Netscape to include localized
content was really a natural progression as we have a very similar business
strategy aimed at giving European users the information they really want,"
said Tony Philipp, COO of Lycos Bertelsmann, Europe. "I believe that through
the relationship with Netscape we provide a content service that has an
International scope but a truly local bias."
Netscape launched International Netcenter 2.0 sites in the France,
Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom in
October 1998. Today Netscape's content and commerce services reach more than
15 million registered users in 18 international sites, which include,
Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy,
Japan, Korea, Latin America, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the United
Kingdom and the United States.
Netscape is a leading provider of software and services for businesses
that want to transform the way they create and keep customers in the emerging
Net Economy. Recently acquired by America Online, Inc., Netscape is based in
Mountain View, California.
Additional information on Netscape is available on the Internet at
http://home.netscape.com, by sending email to info@netscape.com, or by calling
corporate sales at 650/937-2555.
NOTE: Netscape, Netscape Navigator and the Netscape N and Ship's Wheel
logos are registered trademarks of Netscape in the United States and other
countries. Other Netscape logos, product names, and service names are also
trademarks of Netscape Communications, which may be registered in other
countries. Other product and brand names are trademarks of their respective
owners.
SOURCE Netscape
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http://home.netscape.com
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CONTACT:
Niamh Lyons of Burson-Marsteller,
0044-171-300-6456, or niamh_lyons@bm.com, for Netscape
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