Excite Italia Service Launch Planned for Q4 1998

Strategic Insights -

Excite, Inc. and Telecom Italia have announced the finalization of their joint venture agreement, paving the way for the launch of an Italian version of the Excite service in Q4 1998. The joint venture, which will provide programming and search for Telecom Italia's ISP site, marks Excite's first entry into the Italian market. Telecom Italia's Chief Strategy Officer, Francesco De Leo, highlighted the importance of the partnership, stating that Excite is the "best possible partner" to help develop and consolidate the Internet portal business in Italy and Europe.

The joint venture aims to leverage the strengths of both companies to provide Italian consumers with an easy and fast Internet experience. Telecom Italia, Italy's leading Internet access provider, will leverage its expertise in the Italian market, while Excite will contribute its consumer programming expertise. The joint venture will also provide a comprehensive search and directory service in Italian under the Excite brand.

Key Takeaways:

  • Excite, Inc. and Telecom Italia have finalized a joint venture agreement to launch an Italian version of the Excite service in Q4 1998.
  • The joint venture will provide programming and search for Telecom Italia's ISP site, marking Excite's first entry into the Italian market.
  • Telecom Italia's Chief Strategy Officer, Francesco De Leo, emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating that Excite is the "best possible partner" to help develop and consolidate the Internet portal business in Italy and Europe.
  • The joint venture will leverage the strengths of both companies to provide Italian consumers with an easy and fast Internet experience.
  • Telecom Italia will contribute its expertise in the Italian market, while Excite will contribute its consumer programming expertise.
  • The joint venture will also provide a comprehensive search and directory service in Italian under the Excite brand.
  • The partnership will give Italian consumers an easy and simple way to get on the Internet by combining the strengths of both companies.
  • Telecom Italia is a leading provider of Internet business connectivity in Italy and globally, while Excite has rapidly evolved to a leading online service combining personalization, content, and community with advanced search technology.

Statistics:

  • 1998: The year Excite Italia service is set to launch.
  • Q4 1998: The quarter in which the Excite Italia service is planned to launch.
  • 6th largest: Telecom Italia is ranked as the 6th largest telecommunications carrier in the world.
  • Italian market: Telecom Italia is a leading provider of Internet services in Italy, and the joint venture aims to leverage its expertise in this market.
  • Excite Network: The Excite Network consists of two of the largest brands on the Web, Excite and WebCrawler, and its subsidiaries; Classifieds2000, MatchLogic, Inc., Excite Japan Co., Ltd. and Excite UK, Ltd.

Sources:

  • "Excite, Telecom Italia Finalize Joint Venture Agreement" (PRNewswire, October 14, 1998)
  • "About Telecom Italia" (Telecom Italia website)
  • "About Excite, Inc." (Excite, Inc. website)