AOL and Columbia House Ink Co-marketing Deal and AMD Gains Game Developers' Support

Strategic Insights -

As America Online Inc. (AOL) continues to expand its user base, executives are seeking additional distribution channels to reach potential customers. To tap into the market of music enthusiasts, AOL has partnered with Columbia House Music Co., agreeing to include AOL software with CDs mailed to customers' homes. In return, Columbia House will receive a prime spot in AOL's shopping channels and various web destinations. Additionally, AMD has gained support from 12 game publishers and developers who will release titles optimized for AMD processors with 3DNow! technology.

Key Takeaways:

  • AOL has partnered with Columbia House Music Co. to include AOL software with CDs mailed to customers' homes, targeting 13 million Club members.
  • Columbia House will receive a prime spot in AOL's shopping channels and various web destinations, including AOL.COM, CompuServe, Digital City, and Entertainment Asylum.
  • 12 game publishers and developers, including Activision Inc., Accolade Inc., and id Software, will release games optimized for AMD processors with 3DNow! technology.
  • AMD officials expect the installed base of processors with 3DNow! to reach 30 million units by the end of the year, currently at 8.5 million units.
  • AMD includes 3DNow! extensions in the K6-2, K6-III, and upcoming AMD-K7 processors.

Statistics:

  • 13 million: Number of Club members with Columbia House Music Co.
  • 8.5 million: Installed base of processors with 3DNow! technology as of the time of the announcement.
  • 30 million: Expected installed base of processors with 3DNow! technology by the end of the year.
  • 3: Number of processor models with 3DNow! extensions, including K6-2, K6-III, and AMD-K7.
  • 12: Number of game publishers and developers supporting AMD processors with 3DNow! technology.

Sources:

  • America Online, 703/265- 3284
  • Columbia House, 212/596-2372
  • Advanced Micro Devices Inc., 408/749-5703