Online retailer Shopping.com signed an agreement to develop
a customized Internet service based on a marketing alliance with Internet
access provider American Interactive Media.
The deal takes on added strategic significance because Shopping.com has agreed
to be acquired by Compaq Computer Corp. in a $220 million deal expected to
close this spring.
Compaq, in turn, plans to merge Shopping.com into AltaVista, its Web
navigation unit, according to Reuters. Compaq announced this week it intends
to spin off AltaVista as a separate, publicly traded company.
Shopping.com said its Internet service options will include a $9.95 per month
introductory offer and a $15.95 per month pay-in-advance plan.
“This service gives us a real point of differentiation from other e-commerce
sites,” the company said.
American Interactive Media, a marketer of Internet access for interest groups,
said it will create a Shopping.com portal page with links to the Shopping.com
Web site.
American Interactive also will place Shopping.com in its banner advertising
rotation on sites affiliated with it and will use Shopping.com as the primary
electronic shopping service for its network of co-branded Internet access
providers, Reuters reported.