AOL’s business spans online content, products and services for consumers, publishers and advertisers. We’re one of the largest producers of quality digital content and one of the world’s leading sellers of premium display advertising.
General Information
What is AOL? AOL Inc. (NYSE: AOL) is a premier global media company with a suite of brands and products serving consumers, advertisers and publishers worldwide. The AOL Huffington Post Media Group is a leading source of news, opinion, entertainment, community and digital information comprising a wide range of destination websites, including AOL.com, The Huffington Post, TechCrunch, Moviefone, Engadget, Patch, AOL Music, StyleList and MapQuest. The AOL Advertising.com Group includes Advertising.com, ADTECH, Pictela, Video, inclusive of AOL Video, goviral and 5min Media, Content Solutions and Sponsored Listings and serves a combined content and advertising market at scale through video, brand advertising, content and ad serving. AOL is focused on engaging consumers and providing online advertising services and solutions on both AOL Huffington Post Media Group destination websites and third-party websites, in addition to serving consumer platforms including AOL Mail, AIM, about.me, and mobile experiences. AOL also operates one of the largest Internet subscription access services in the U.S., which serves as another distribution channel for its consumer subscription products, such as AOL TechGuru and Computer Checkup.
How did AOL become what it is today? In 1985, the company was known as Quantum Computer Services offering an online service named Q-Link. Quantum launched its first instant messenger service in 1989 and welcomed users with that familiar saying 'You've got mail!'.
It wasn't until 1991 that Quantum was renamed America Online through an employee contest. The following year, America Online, commonly called AOL, went public on NASDAQ. Starting in 1993, our disk mailings connected thousands of households to the Internet, and two years later we reached our one million member mark. In 1995, AOL extended its service internationally and launched AOL Germany.
As more and more users connected to the Internet, AOL began expanding its products and services. In 1995, AOL debuted the AOL.com homepage. The next year AOL reached five million members and introduced a flat-rate pricing program. That same year, AOL launched the Buddy List for chatting and welcomed the Running Man as a new AOLer. Two years later, the Buddy List was inducted into the Smithsonian collection.
While our user base grew, so did our company. In 1998, AOL acquired CompuServe and ICQ. The following year, Moviefone and Netscape joined our suite of products. MapQuest became AOL's trusted mapping source in 2000. Then, in 2001, AOL merged with Time Warner to create AOL Time Warner. In 2004, AOL connected advertisers to users using the newly-acquired Advertising.com.
America Online made history in 2005 by becoming the first Internet company to win an Emmy. The very next year, we officially changed our name to AOL and began offering our content and services free of charge. Over the next three years, AOL launched new content sites totaling more than 80 sites by 2009. In 2009, the Running Man was inducted into the Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame and was also recognized in the Advertising Icon Museum. Later that year, AOL Inc. became an independent, publicly-traded company. In the future, we look forward to many more historical moments.
Who sits on AOL’s Board of Directors?
Who sits on AOL's Management Team?
Where are AOL's headquarters?
AOL is headquartered in New York City
770 Broadway
New York, New York 10003
Who can I contact if I have issues with my AOL account?
We are sorry you are experiencing issues with your AOL account, please contact customer support at 800.827.6364.
Who can I contact if I have billing issues?
Please contact 800.827.6364 for any billing related questions.
To change the status of your AOL account, please contact customer support at 800.827.6364.
My question isn’t answered here, how can I contact somebody for additional information?
Please contact AOL Investor Relations at
ir@teamaol.com
or by phone at 877.265.1010.
Where can I find a copy of recent financials and current annual report?
How do I get on your mailing list? Spin-Offs, Mergers & Acquisitions
When did America Online IPO?
When did America Online and Historic Time Warner merge?
America Online and Historic TW Inc. completed their merger on January 11, 2001.
What was the stock exchange ratio?
Former shareholders of America Online, Inc., received one share of common stock of Time Warner Inc. (formerly named AOL Time Warner) in exchange for each common share held in America Online, Inc. Former shareholders of Historic TW Inc. (formerly named Time Warner Inc.) received 1.5 shares of Time Warner common stock in exchange for each common share held in Historic TW Inc.
When did AOL spin-off from Time Warner?
AOL completed its separation from Time Warner through a spin-off involving a pro rata dividend distribution of all of the AOL common stock held by Time Warner to Time Warner stockholders. The distribution was made on December 9, 2009 to Time Warner stockholders of record at 5:00 p.m. on November 27, 2009 (the record date for the distribution).
How many shares of AOL should I have received?
Time Warner stockholders received 1 share of AOL common stock for every 11 shares of Time Warner common stock they held on the record date of November 27, 2009. The distribution of shares was made in book-entry form.
When were the shares of AOL distributed?
The distribution date for the AOL shares was December 9, 2009.
What was the stock price on the date of the spin-off?
12/8/2009 close: $23.50
What are the tax consequences of AOL’s spin-off from Time Warner to Time Warner shareholders of the AOL distribution?
Time Warner stockholders are not expected to recognize any gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except with respect to cash received in lieu of fractional shares. The tax consequences of the distribution are explained more fully in the Information Statement dated November 19, 2009, noting especially pages 33-35 under the heading “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off." The Information Statement is posted on the Investor Relations page of Time Warner’s website: www.timewarner.com/investors.
You are urged to consult your own tax advisor regarding the particular consequences of the distribution to you, including the applicability and effect of any U.S. federal, state and local, Canadian federal, provincial and territorial and other foreign tax laws.
Information regarding the determination of the tax basis in your Time Warner common stock and the AOL common stock that you received in the distribution are explained more completely in the “Tax Basis Information Statement" that is posted on the Investor Relations page of Time Warner’s website: www.timewarner.com/investors.
Who do I contact if I have questions about my shares of AOL?
The Transfer Agent is Computershare Trust Company N.A. and can be reached at 800.254.5192 or at the mailing address of 250 Royall Street Canton, MA 02121.
Stock Information
Where is the stock traded?
Shares of AOL are traded under the ticker AOL on the New York Stock Exchange.
What is AOL’s CUSIP number?
AOL’s CUSIP is 00184X 105
How can I purchase shares of AOL?
AOL does not have a direct purchase program. Shares of AOL stock can be purchased through a broker or a stock purchase service.
Have there been any stock splits?
11/23/1994 | | AOL declares 2 for 1 stock split |
4/27/1995 | | AOL declares 2 for 1 stock split |
11/28/1995 | | AOL declares 2 for 1 stock split |
3/16/1998 | | AOL declares 2 for 1 stock split |
11/17/1998 | | AOL declares 2 for 1 stock split |
2/22/1999 | | AOL declares 2 for 1 stock split |
11/22/1999 | | AOL declares 2 for 1 stock split |
Does AOL pay quarterly cash dividends?
AOL does not pay quarterly cash dividends.
How do I determine cost basis of my AOL shares?
Cost basis is different for every shareholder because it is based upon a number of factors, including when and at what price the shares were obtained, as well as adjustments resulting from corporate actions such as acquisitions, spin-offs, and stock splits that may have occurred during ownership. Accordingly, each shareholder should consult his or her tax advisor to determine their cost basis.
I am an AOL shareholder and I need to update certain information to account, who can I contact?
All personal shareholder information for shareholders holding shares in their own name (as opposed to through a broker or other representative) is handled by our transfer agent, Computershare. You may contact Computershare at 800.254.5192 or at the mailing address of 250 Royall Street Canton, MA 02121.
Who is the transfer agent and how can I contact them?
The Transfer Agent is Computershare Trust Company N.A. and can be reached at 800.254.5192 or at the mailing address of 250 Royall Street Canton, MA 02121.
I am a former AOL employee and have questions about equity compensation I was awarded during employment. Who can I contact for assistance?
Former AOL employees may contact PeopleDirect at 703.265.1968.
One-time, Special Cash Dividend Information
How much is the dividend per share?
$5.15 per share
When is the ex-dividend date for the cash dividend?
The ex-dividend date is December 3, 2012.
When is the record date for the cash dividend?
The one-time, special cash dividend is payable to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 5, 2012.
When will the cash dividend be paid?
The one-time, special cash dividend is payable on December 14, 2012.
What is the tax treatment for the dividend?
The one-time, special cash dividend of $5.15 per share will be treated as a return of capital for tax purposes.
Shareholders are encouraged to consult their tax advisor to determine the specific effect this distribution may have on their individual tax position. The information above relates solely to the distribution of the $5.15 one-time, special cash dividend.
Why is AOL paying a special dividend?
Will AOL begin paying a quarterly dividend?
AOL does not pay quarterly cash dividends.
Contact UsAOL Investor Relations
770 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
Email: IR@teamaol.com
Phone: 1-877-265-1010 