Back in the game (AOL)
Back in the game (AOL)
Batelle J.Business 2.0 July 2006, Vol. 7 No. 6, Start page: 117, No. of pages: 3
Purpose – To report an interview with AOL’s CEO Jon Miller. Design/methodology/approach – briefly outlines the issues facing AOL when Jon Miller arrived at AOL in 2002. Describes Miller as a “veteran media dealmaker” and notes that his negotiations with Microsoft and Google over the choice of company to power AOL’s search engine resulted in $1 billion investment in the company by Google, valuing AOL at $20 billion. Discusses AOL’s reputation as lacking in innovation. Acknowledges that all the competing companies are aiming to provide email, search, instant messaging and social networking. Suggests that whilst AOL may be “playing catchup”in respect of VoIP and social networking, it has invested heavily in innovation in other areas such as video search. Observes that this is expected to be a significant advantage as online video reaches the explosive growth stage and mentions some of the startup acquisitions that AOL has bought to help search or insert advertisements in online video. Considers the possibility that AOL might engage in an IPO at some future time, while stressing that the company has no current intentions of operating as an independent company. Originality/value– a brief insight into the competitive world of new-media innovation.ISSN: 1538-1730Reference: 35AR931
Keywords: Corporate strategy, Innovation, Internet, Mass media
