AMERICAN EXPRESS LAUNCHES THE "SMALL BUSINESS NETWORK" ON AMERICA ONLINE; Nationally-Syndicated Small Business Journalist Moderating ExpressNet Bulletin Board

Business Wire, July 19, 1995

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 19, 1995--American Express Small Business Services has launched its "Small Business Network" on America Online (AOL). The Small Business Network, located on American Express' ExpressNet service, provides small business owners with information and advice on a wide range of small business issues. Alice Bredin, a nationally-known small business journalist and radio commentator, serves as moderator and answers questions posed by small business owners.

The service features bulletin board discussion on topics such as Finance, Sales and Marketing, and Technology where small business owners can exchange information and advice with each other. The interactive nature of the Small Business Network allows small business owners to help shape the content of the bulletin board service and determine the topics discussed on it.

"Doing business online offers tremendous advantages, particularly to small businesses that lack the infrastructure of large corporations," said Steven W. Alesio, executive vice president, American Express Small Business Services. "Our aim in offering this new bulletin board service is to make it easier for small business owners to locate the information and advice they need to be competitive."

Sixty percent of small business owners currently use or plan to use online services, according to the American Express Small Business Monitor which recently surveyed 1,358 small business owners.

Alice Bredin, who serves as moderator for the Small Business Network, is a nationally-known commentator for Public Radio International's Marketplace program, where her bi-weekly commentary is broadcast on more than 200 public radio stations nationwide. Ms. Bredin's weekly newspaper column, "Working At Home," is nationally- syndicated via Tribune Media Services. Ms. Bredin has taught at the New School for Social Research in New York City and lectures frequently.

As the moderator, or "Small Business Adviser," as she is known online, Alice Bredin writes a weekly column on small business issues, responds to small business owners' questions and recruits experts as "speakers" to host monthly auditorium events. In addition, small business owners have access to legislative updates from the National Association for the Self-Employed.

The Small Business Network is open to all America Online members; American Express Small Business Services Cardmembers have the added advantages of being able to access billing details for their Corporate Card accounts, downloading the data into financial planning software, accessing special discounts and other offers and sending email to customer service. AOL members can access the Small Business Network by typing keyword "Amex" or "ExpressNet," then selecting "Message Boards and Conferences" followed by "ExpressNet Message Center."

Small business owners can get free America Online software by calling 1-800-AXP-1234 and placing their order with an ExpressNet customer service representative. The monthly fee for America Online is $9.95, which includes five hours of connect-time. Additional connect-time is $2.95 per hour. America Online offers a trial month membership which includes 10 free hours of connect time. There is no additional charge to use ExpressNet or the Small Business Network from American Express.

ExpressNet from American Express offers a broad array of Cardmember and travel services. It enables enrolled Cardmembers to check the status of their Card accounts, pay their American Express bills, apply for American Express Cards, enroll in rewards programs such as Membership Miles, and take advantage of special airline, hotel, car rental, restaurant, retail and entertainment offers.

America Online, Inc., based in Vienna, VA, is the largest and fastest growing provider of online services in the world. AOL offers its more than 3 million subscribers a wide variety of services, including electronic mail, conferencing, software, computing support, interactive magazines and newspapers and online classes, as well as easy and affordable access to services of the Internet. AOL has a global workforce consisting of more than 2,500 people. Founded in 1985, AOL has established strategic alliances with dozens of companies, including Time Warner, ABC, Knight-Ridder, Tribune, Hachette, IBM and American Express. Personal computer owners can obtain American Online software at major retailers and bookstores, or by calling 1-800-827-6364.

American Express Small Business Services, a unit of American Express Travel Related Services, Inc. (TRS), provides business management and travel related services through the Corporate Card for Small Business. The Corporate Card for Small Business, which offers a comprehensive package of benefits including savings on hotels, car rentals, UPS package delivery and Mobil gasoline, is used by more than 1.5 million businesses. American Express TRS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the American Express Company.

CONTACT: Cory Shields

American Express