AOL Time Warner Mission Statement

To become the world's most respected and valued company by connecting, informing and entertaining people everywhere in innovative ways that will enrich their lives.

AOL and Time Warner Merge

When the Internet really began to take off in the 1990s, large media corporations looked at it as something they would eventually buy out and/or own one day.

"About 18 months ago, the feeling was that some of the media companies would buy Internet companies, but what happened is that the valuations got so reversed that it is really the opposite that is likely," said Phil Leigh, an analyst at investment bank Raymond James. (Hu, Junnarkar, and Krigel)

The public as well as the corporations believed that they would be the proud owners of broadband one day, but what they didn't realize, was the power and persuasive nature that the Internet holds.

Within an incredibly short period of time AOL became an media powerhouse, and it wasn't long until they were bending to the divide and conquer ways of Napoleon, in an effort to acquire as much as possible.

AOL's largest acquisition would be Time Warner, and as word got out that AOL and Time Warner were planning a merger, voices from the public began exercising their right to be heard.

For example, Dr. Mark N. Cooper made a statement before the FCC on July 27, 2000, "Several months ago the Consumer Federation of America, Consumers Unions, Media Access Project, and the Center for Media Education (Consumer Petitioners), petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (the Commission) to deny or substantially restructure the AOL/Time Warner merger."(Fundamental Concerns about the AOL/Time Warner Merger)

America Online, a name that used to be the punch-line in a joke, was getting ready to make the biggest purchase any media corporation could make. AOL started as a nothing company, but with the power of the Internet at is hip, they were a force to be reckoned with.

In January 2000, AOL Time Warner Inc. was formed, and AOL officially owned 55% of the company, as compared to Time Warner's 45%. This merger between AOL and Time Warner demonstrates the authority, control, and influence the Internet has, and will continue to have, on media and the general public every day.

With this new technology at the forefront of innovation, other media such as newspapers, magazines, and even radio are being forced to improve and change their methods of operation.

January 11, 2001. Jerry Levin, Chief Executive Officer of AOL Time Warner, said in a press release: "AOL Time Warner's scale, scope and reach will enable us to capitalize on the digital revolution that is shaping global media, entertainment and communications on behalf of consumers worldwide."

More Information on the Merger

Fundamental Concerns About the AOL Time Warner Merger (PDF Format)

Executive Summary of FCC Filing against the AOL/Time Warner Merger (PDF Format)

Prepared Statement of Jerry Berman, Executive Director of the Center of Democracy & Technology