America Online Launches Brazilian Site

After announcing the deal in December 1998, Interent giant America Online, Inc. and the Cisneros Group of Companies Tuesday launched America Online Brazil, the newest member of the family of America Online global sites.

America Online Brazil combines America Online's (AOL) user-friendly convenience with exclusive local content, free round-the-clock customer service including local billing, and access to the global community of over 19 million America Online members, now in 15 countries and seven languages.

America Online Brazil also partnered with leading local providers including Jornal do Brasil, Gazeta Mercantil, CBS Telenoticias, Gazeta Esportiva, IDG, Canal Web, Hollywood.com, MegaTV, Reuters, 89 Rockwave, and Editoria Delta. In addition to these partners, the service offers its own proprietary content that includes news, finance, education, lifestyles, sports and travel.

America Online Brazil also offers personalization features and communications tools such as e-mail, message boards and built-in chat.

"Brazil ranks among the most promising markets in the world for interactive services. By combining unmatched local content with America Online's signature convenience and ease-of-use, America Online Brazil will lead the way in turning the interactive medium into a mass-market phenomenon throughout Latin America," said Charles Herington, AOL Latin America president and CEO.

AOL Latin America also plans to roll-out service to Mexico and Argentina in the near future.