The Anglo-Dutch consumer goods group has announced separate agreements with America Online and Microsoft to develop interactive marketing and new media programs for its key brands which include Vaseline and Lipton teas. The deal marks the largest single commitment to the interactive medium by a packaged goods marketer. The world's largest online service, America Online, is eyeing the New Zealand market. David Berelsman, company spokesman for AOL Australia, says there have been discussions about starting a New Zealand service. Local content being tested includes financial, news, weather, sport and health and fitness sections, along with areas for teenagers.
Local content is key to our business.
Chat is turning out to be a way to promote television and movie stars and to provide a forum for authors to talk to their readers. Of the 107 million people who use the Internet worldwide, an estimated 40 million to 50 million use chat in some fashion. America Online recently found that its users spent 19 percent of their time in online chat rooms. The new service includes content from more than 40 news sources in China, and information on China's major industries.