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Kevin Conroy Named Executive Vice President and COO, AOL for Broadband May 13, 2003
Dulles, VA, May 13, 2003 -- America Online, Inc., the world's leading interactive services company, today announced that Kevin Conroy, Senior Vice President and General Manager, AOL Entertainment, has been promoted to the new position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, AOL for Broadband, the first online service designed specifically for a broadband connection. He will report to Lisa Hook, President, AOL for Broadband, Premium and Platform Services. In this new position, Conroy will oversee AOL for Broadband business operations, managing all aspects of the AOL for Broadband service. Mr. Conroy joined America Online to head AOL Music in January 2001. In that position, he built the # 1 online music destination (comScore Media Metrix). By initiating a programming driven strategy in close partnership with the music industry, Conroy and his team helped establish AOL as an important platform for discovering, experiencing and owning music. As part of this strategy, Mr. Conroy created groundbreaking programs that have transformed consumers' online music experience including: First Listen and First View, exclusive worldwide premieres of new songs and videos from leading artists; Sessions@AOL, exclusive in-studio performances and interviews with established and emerging artists; as well as exclusive broadband programming like Broadband Rocks!, AOL for Broadband full-length live concerts every Friday. In July 2002, Conroy became General Manager for all of AOL's entertainment offerings, leading the company's efforts in games, movies, music, radio, sports, television and ticketing. Mr. Conroy and the programming team have worked with partners across each of these industries to deliver unique value, attracting one of the largest, most active consumer audiences for online entertainment. AOL Entertainment created a number of successful new programming franchises that have helped differentiate AOL such as: First Play, exclusive premieres of online, PC and video games; First Look, exclusive scenes from highly anticipated movies; First Watch, exclusive video clips from TV shows; Reality TV Showcase, a one-stop destination for the latest on today's reality TV shows; and First Tix, advance ticket sales for major concerts and events before they're available to the general public. In addition, behind Conroy's leadership, the company introduced a number of new products and services including Radio@AOL and Radio@AOL for Broadband, providing a CD-quality experience for AOL's broadband members, as well as AOL's first premium music subscription service, MusicNet on AOL. Most recently, Mr. Conroy played an important role in developing the company's new marketing partnership with Infinity Broadcasting. AOL Chairman and CEO Jon Miller said, "Kevin Conroy has done an outstanding job demonstrating the power of the online medium and the AOL service to both consumers and the industry.ï By offering great programming and interactive experiences that simply cannot be replicated on any other media, Kevin showed that content matters and established online as a key part of the entertainment value chain. Through Kevin's leadership, AOL has helped break new artists, opened movies, debuted new games and provided unique, complementary experiences for scores of major events, TV shows and performances.ï AOL is 100% committed to providing an unmatched broadband experience to our members and Kevin's new position reflects that commitment." AOL for Broadband President Lisa Hook said, "Kevin has been a great partner, providing AOL for Broadband with best of breed programming in key categories. Kevin gets things done. He is both highly strategic and an excellent operating executive. I'm very pleased that Kevin is taking on this new position and I know that he will be a major asset for us as we continue to improve the AOL for Broadband experience and deliver additional value to our members." AOL launched its AOL for Broadband service at the end of March, enabled by the introduction of the AOL 8.0 Plus product. Today, nearly 80% of 8.0 Plus sessions are on broadband. AOL 8.0 Plus optimizes the broadband experience by focusing on what members want most: help to get what they want online effortlessly; enhanced communications tools; a safer Internet experience; and even more robust entertainment offerings. The service offers the Internet's best selection of multimedia content -- such as CD-quality radio, and video clips including movie trailers, sports highlights, and live news reports from leading brands such as CNN, ABC News, MLB, NFL, NBA, NASCAR, NHL, National Geographic, The Weather Channel and People Magazine. Already, AOL for Broadband offers content valued at more than $100 per month, if purchased separately on the Internet, in addition to numerous exclusive AOL programming franchises. This summer, AOL will roll out to members the newest version of the AOL for Broadband service, which will offer an improved experience. Mr. Conroy said, "AOL has made important strides launching and marketing the first online service developed specifically for broadband. Broadband is the next medium and that means new opportunities and totally new experiences for consumers that AOL is uniquely positioned to create and deliver. I'm very excited about working with Lisa and the team to realize the true potential of broadband and ensure that the AOL for Broadband service leads the way." Mr. Conroy's appointment is effective immediately. AOL Entertainment will continue to report to Jim Bankoff, AOL's EVP of Programming, with key staff taking on additional responsibility.
Contact Info: "Jim Whitney, America Online" 703-265-1746
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