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As AOL Looks for Answers, Time Warner Hopes for Deal

The parent of the struggling Internet giant says AOL needs a partner

By Jim O'Neill,  Newser User

Posted Mar 12, 2008 1:08 PM CDT

(Newser) – AOL’s efforts at launching an Internet ad-sales business—dubbed Platform A—continue to stumble, the New York Times reports. Parent Time Warner Monday fired another exec and yesterday said it’s willing to combine AOL with another company to jump-start the moribund division it’s already spent $1 billion on. Ex-AOLers say the one-time Internet giant is self-destructing.

Time Warner CEO Jeffrey Bewkes said AOL may spin off its legacy dial-up service and acknowledged the AOL.com portal is being eroded by other portals, including Yahoo, a potential future partner. AOL execs say the company will not meet first quarter revenue goals and is unlikely hit its yearly numbers. Sagging dial-up subscriptions and slowing ad sales growth will both hurt.

Lynda Clarizio President of AOL's Platform-A. (Photo
Lynda Clarizio President of AOL's Platform-A. (Photo   (Associated Press)
The Time Warner Center is shown on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008 in New York.
The Time Warner Center is shown on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008 in New York.   (Associated Press)
Jeffrey Bewkes, President and Chief Operating Officer, Time Warner.
Jeffrey Bewkes, President and Chief Operating Officer, Time Warner.   (Associated Press)
The America Online logo.
The America Online logo.   (Associated Press)
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