IMS predicts the merger of AOL / Time Warner in 1998 along with AT&T alliance

Special Impact Report: The AOL-Time Warner Alliance
another IMS Vision becomes a Reality.

On Monday Jan 10th 2000, 10 years to the day after the historic merger of Time Inc. and Warner Communications, an even more historic - and even bigger -merger was announced. America Online and Time Warner will combine, and in so doing will exert a seemingly impenetrable dominance over Internet media. As CEO Steve Case put it in his press conference, the deal puts AOL squarely in "every part of the media value chain."

That undoubtedly makes AOL's many critics uncomfortable. But stock analysts aren't worried. After all, from an investment standpoint, what's not to like about a deal that puts the world's biggest Internet company together with the world's biggest media company? Now we all can look for a faster deployment of broadband access.

Amazing vision: IMS suggested to Time Warner in 1998 that they create a virtual Alliance with AT&T to leverage the TCI deal. Transitioning ALL Communication Media, via broadband distribution, to homes would be feasable by 2001. AOL was advised to create a affiliate revenue sharing relationship with it's client base and put in motion the easy transformation of it's dialup base into the "always on highspeed access of XDSL or cable modems". They too needed a partner with the technology to services their customers demand for faster access. Our viewpoints on this deal follow:

*** "IMS believes that the merger is complementary to the assets of both
companies, and that the combination truly merges two staggeringly powerful forces across media, telecommunications, Internet, advertising and commerce. For AOL, Time Warner's ownership of cable systems, as well as a 40 percent stake in high-speed Internet service Road Runner, will significantly improve AOL's broadband prospects and should enable the combined entity to secure access on all major cable systems in due time. For Time Warner, AOL is the perfect partner to transform it's Internet operations into a powerful leader by showcasing the new media that will evolve by enabling AOLTV and broadband streaming applications reach 22 million captive members.. With a combined user reach of 100 million, the new company should be able to cross-promote a very enticing bundle of video services, high-speed data and communications. We estimate that the additional services could increase cable services revenues from the current $40 per month per subscriber to $100 per month or more via merchant advertising." ***

And the benefits for AOL/Time Warner don't stop there:

*** "We also believe that this unique merger will create the ideal advertising and e-commerce platform. We estimate that the combined company will have advertising revenues of $7 billion to $8 billion by next year, making it the largest provider of advertising in the world. The combination also will significantly lower the customer acquisition cost for the subscription businesses such as cable, DSL high-speed data and narrowband ADSL online access. AOL Time Warner's businesses will benefit from extensive cross-marketing and promotional opportunities. The bundled services will create a compelling experience for customers, such an integrated billing for all entertainment and communications related services." ***

Now my insider friends get to see why I picked AOL, Time Warner, Nortel, Cisco and AT&T as long term blue chip stock investments. This is only the beginning or what could become a spate of deals and mergers in 2000:

*** "[The merger] sets in place a new paradigm in media, Internet, valuation and investor expectations. Clearly this merger is a catalyst to other potential combinations between online and offline media companies. Noting this, we warn investors to be cautious about the rate and value of such combinations. AOL and Time Warner are exceptionally well-positioned to capture unique and powerful benefits including cross-promotion of brands, services and commerce agreements.

Further, IMS notes that AOL's OEM strategy could be easily deployed to Time Warner properties, perhaps in advance of the closure of this merger - allowing Time Warner brands to extend their reach deeper into their 70 million-plus subscribers." Also watch for companies like Prodigy and SBC who have taken our idea of the "FREE-Pc" ( large rebate for a cheap Pc when combined with a 3 year ISP dial-up contract then migrate them to broadband.) and start to offer a simple upgrade from 56K dial-up to DSL or cable modem without having to refund the 400.00 rebate.***

The deal adds new urgency to questions about the future of such companies as Yahoo and Excite -@Home, whose strategies have so far been unclear in regard to the content/access business. What will they do now? In addition, what will the other big media companies do? They have to play catch up as merger/alliance mania will reshape corporate structures during the first part of year 2000.

*** "IMS believes investors should keep their eyes open to potential combinations between other online and offline media combinations and/or partnerships. Of particular interest, we note the likely interest in broadband distribution assets held by ExciteAtHome and the media presence of Yahoo. ... Companies including Viacom/CBS, Fox, Disney and others would be likely partners in the new "ME TOO" new-and-old media combinations coupled with faster home access." ***

Still, given the immense market capitalizations of companies like Yahoo, it's hard to tell what could happen here. Such companies are priced too high for even the big media conglomerates to buy outright, which means any such combination would have to involve a pooling of interests - and control through strategic alliances. Would mogul-run media companies like Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. (the owner of Fox) be willing to cede any control to the likes of Yahoo?

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So far, of course, speculation is about all anyone has to go on in considering the impact of the January 2000. But one thing is clear: Just about anyone wanting to reach consumers on the Net will have to take AOL-Time Warner into account....and on their terms. AOL after all is a customer oriented portal that wants the best prices for their community. A real force when the 20 million act in concert with the AOL plan and resulting benefits.

You cannot motivate the best people with money. Money is just away to keep score. The best people in any field are motivated by passion.