Seeker of Truth
05-28-2003, 05:23 AM
Posted 5/27/2003 8:38 PM Updated 5/28/2003 12:15 AM
AOL to launch area for African-Americans
By Paul Davidson, USA TODAY
America Online Wednesday is set to launch a special content area for blacks in a bid to better serve one of the fastest-growing segments of the online audience. It is the first such foray by a major Internet service, analysts say.
"We can't speak to all 30 million members in the same voice," says Belinda Hankins, AOL executive director for African-American business. "We want to be the brand of choice and provide compelling and relevant experience for African-American members."
AOL, which for the first time this year posted a net loss of subscribers, is trying to retain and grow a prime audience segment and generate new ad revenue. Eighty-five percent of blacks online say black-oriented news would be valuable to them, AOL says.
Blacks make up about 4 million, or 14%, of AOL's 27 million U.S. members, vs. 8% of U.S. online users.
In the past, AOL has offered black-oriented chat rooms and message boards, but only limited content.
Black online users are expected to grow at an 8.4% clip from 2004 to 2007, double the rate of the white audience, says AOL and Jupiter Research.
More @ usatoday.com (http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2003-05-27-aol-black-focus_x.htm)
AOL to launch area for African-Americans
By Paul Davidson, USA TODAY
America Online Wednesday is set to launch a special content area for blacks in a bid to better serve one of the fastest-growing segments of the online audience. It is the first such foray by a major Internet service, analysts say.
"We can't speak to all 30 million members in the same voice," says Belinda Hankins, AOL executive director for African-American business. "We want to be the brand of choice and provide compelling and relevant experience for African-American members."
AOL, which for the first time this year posted a net loss of subscribers, is trying to retain and grow a prime audience segment and generate new ad revenue. Eighty-five percent of blacks online say black-oriented news would be valuable to them, AOL says.
Blacks make up about 4 million, or 14%, of AOL's 27 million U.S. members, vs. 8% of U.S. online users.
In the past, AOL has offered black-oriented chat rooms and message boards, but only limited content.
Black online users are expected to grow at an 8.4% clip from 2004 to 2007, double the rate of the white audience, says AOL and Jupiter Research.
More @ usatoday.com (http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2003-05-27-aol-black-focus_x.htm)