Worldview Travel Data integral part of new Amex online service; American Express' new America Online service, ExpressNet, features Worldview's travel database and Fodor's Worldview Travel Updates

Business Wire, Jan 30, 1995

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 30, 1995--Worldview Systems Corp. announced Monday that its travel and entertainment database is a major travel feature of American Express' ExpressNet electronic interactive service launched today on America Online.

Through ExpressNet America Online subscribers can browse Worldview's database covering the major leisure and business destinations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific Rim. In addition to the browsing feature, subscribers can order online a Fodor's Worldview Travel Update, a fully customized travel guide providing detailed, objective information tailored to the individual traveler's interests, destinations and travel dates.

Worldview's electronic database offers customized travel and entertainment details and "insider-perspectives" on such time-sensitive activities and events as national and international festivals, sporting events and art exhibits, plays and concerts.

Worldview's editorial team and correspondent network continuously updates these and the thousands of restaurant reviews and listings for evening activities, children's attractions, sightseeing, shopping and recreational facilities for each of the 160 destinations in the database.

In addition to its time-sensitive content for ExpressNet, Worldview has partnered with IVN Communications Inc. of San Ramon, Calif. to provide a download library of photo images and videos for worldwide destinations.

"Worldview has been providing American Express with time-sensitive destination information for use in its Travel Related Services operations for several years," according to Neal Checkoway, Worldview's vice president and general manager.

"Our experience in the online delivery of this type of content as well as the depth and breadth of our information made it a natural fit for us to work with Amex on this new venture."

ExpressNet from American Express extends Worldview Systems' online publishing experience as a key content provider for such online services as PRODIGY, Apple eWorld, Global Network Navigator on the Internet, and Bloomberg Financial Services.

ExpressNet offers a broad array of financial and travel services. It will enable enrolled American Express Cardmembers to check the status of their Card accounts, pay their American Express bills, make travel reservations, enroll in rewards programs such as Membership Miles, and take advantage of special airline, hotel, car rental, restaurant, retail and entertainment offers.

Worldview's unique database of "time-sensitive" events information offers travelers an efficient, time-saving means of collecting reliable information and planning activities before they leave home. Local events schedules and descriptive reviews are provided by hundreds of correspondents around the world.

An in-house team of multilingual travel editors, writers and fact checkers gathers, translates and screens information from thousands of sources to make sure that all addresses and phone numbers are regularly verified and updated.

America Online is the fastest growing online service, with more than 1.5 million subscribers. Key features include: more than 60,000 free downloadable software programs for home and business use, plus online support from more than 250 computer hardware and software companies; stock quotes and investment information from financial experts; news, weather and sports from leading wire services and publications; more than 35 special interest clubs; online games; and access to the Internet, an international e-mail gateway.

American Express Co. is a diversified worldwide travel and financial services company founded in 1850. It is a leader in charge cards, Travelers Cheques, travel, financial planning and international banking.

Founded in 1985, IVN Communications Inc. is the world's leading publisher and distributor of award-winning travel and documentary video programming for the worldwide home entertainment video market.

About Worldview Systems

Worldview Systems Corp. was founded in San Francisco in 1987 by Steve Baloff. Initially, Worldview's travel information product, TripPlan, was exclusively licensed to travel arrangers and travel suppliers. In September 1993, Random House/Fodor's Travel Publications formed a joint venture with Worldview Systems to launch a direct-to-consumers product line.

In September 1994, Random House and Chicago-based Ameritech expanded previous investments in Worldview to over 80% ownership, and formed a joint venture blending expertise in travel information, custom electronic publishing and information delivery.

Today, Worldview's customers include leading travel agency and corporate subscribers such as American Express, American Airlines, Bloomberg Financial Services and Carlson Travel Network.

The Fodor's Worldview consumer product line is available through a variety of distribution channels including The Associated Press' fax service and the on-line services of America Online (via American Express), Apple eWorld, Internet (via O'Reilly & Associates' GNN) and PRODIGY.