Definition:
AOL is a leading global ad-supported Web company, with a comprehensive display advertising network in the U.S., a suite of popular Web brands and products, and a leading social media network.
The company’s strategy focuses on growing the size, engagement and monetization of its worldwide audience by providing highly relevant content and advertising to consumers across the Web. AOL’s business is centered on Platform-A, Publishing and People Networks. In addition, AOL continues to run one of the largest Access businesses in the U.S.
Orgin:
Started out as Cotrol Video Corporation in 1983 in Loudoun County, Virginia that was a game service (Gameline) for the Atari 2600. In 1985 Jim Kimsey became the manufacturing consultant for Control Video changed it to a an online service originally called Quantum Link and moved the headquarters to New York. They then worked with Apple to create AppleLink in 1988 and PC link for IBM users. The company then parted ways with Apple in 1989 and changed its name to AOL (American online) and is now operated by Time Warner. They now offer a wide variety of services (aim, news, sports, moviefone, aol television, aol radio). Steve Case was co-founder with Kimsey and was groomed to take over after Kimsey retired and is also responsible for the merger with Time Warner.
Organizations:
AOL sponsors many organizations that promote health, safety, and charity. Their branch in Canada sponsors organizations to help keep children safe on the internet and raise awareness about parental involvement in monitoring what their children do online. Depending on the type of resources you are looking for on the AOL site many different organizations may be involved (ex. http://www.aolhealth.com/arthritis/learn-about-it/resources/organizations). They mainly try to promote online safety but work with other organizations throughout the different branches of their website (music, news, entertainment etc.)
Growth:
Between the years of 1989 through the mid 90s AOl grew as it added chat rooms and became more knowledgable about computer networking. In 1996 they changed their policy of charging an hourly rate to a flate rate of $19.99 a month. After this change their userbase quickly grew to 10 million people. Along with the growing userbase more applications and programs were able to be ran while using google. The merger with Time Warner however has seem to hurt the company as they have seen no quarterly growth since 2002. The focus is now to become a content provider as opposed to a internet service.
Related Links
http://dashboard.aim.com/aim
http://music.aol.com/radioguide/bb
http://news.aol.com/
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America_Online
http://www.aol.com/
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