Aim(r) Mail Now Available
Free Web-Based E-mail Service Offers Two Gigabytes of Storage, Spam and Virus Protections Plus Integration with the AOL(r) Instant Messenger(tm) (AIM(r)) Service
Nationwide Advertising Campaign and Consumer Sweepstakes Kick Off Today;Prizes Include Sony(r) PSPs, Apple(r) iPod(r) Shuffles, a 2005 MINI(r) Cooper and More
DULLES, VA - June 6, 2005 - America Online, Inc. today announced the official launch and marketing debut of AIM(r) Mail, its free, Web-based e-mail service found at www.aim.com. AIM Mail, which offers industry leading spam and virus protection as well as two gigabytes of storage, lets users use their AIM(r) Screen Name as their e-mail address. It provides seamless integration with the AOL(r) Instant Messenger(tm) (AIM(r)) service and introduces the AIM.com e-mail domain, leveraging one of the most popular brands on the Web.
The new AIM Mail service is being made available to AIM users today via an updated version of the AIM 5.9 software. Other improvements to the current AIM service include one-click access to AIM Mail, an expanded Buddy List(r) feature that can now accommodate up to 400 buddies and store more contact information on each one, as well as twice as much writing space for more creative Away Messages.
To promote the free AIM Mail service, America Online today launched an online advertising campaign and nationwide consumer sweepstakes. AIM users who activate their AIM Mail account can register to become eligible to win daily prizes, including Starbucks(r) gift cards, T-Mobile(r) Sidekicks(tm), Apple(r) iPod(r) Shuffles and Sony(r) PlayStation(r) Portables (PSPs). One lucky grand prize winner will even drive away with a 2005 MINI Copper S.
"We are very excited to invite AIM users to activate their AIM Mail accounts, which are ready and available today," added Chamath Palihapitiya, vice president and general manager for AIM and ICQ, America Online, Inc. "We are also thanking our users for making their AIM Screen Name a core part of their identity by giving them the chance to win really cool prizes simply by activating their AIM Mail."
A system-wide auto-upgrade will begin rolling out across the AIM(r) network this week, during which each of the 22 million AIM users will be given the opportunity to activate their AIM Mail account, enroll in the sweepstakes promotion and extend the sweepstakes offer to their friends.
AIM Mail's sleek interface and industry leading, client-like feature set is based on technology from Mailblocks, Inc., a consumer Web-based e-mail service acquired by America Online in July 2004. Both current AIM users and Internet users at large can access AIM Mail by visiting AIM.com and/or by downloading the updated AIM 5.9 software.
About America Online, Inc. America Online, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services.
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