Business Wars The AOL Time Warner Disaster | TTYL, AOL | 4
32 snips
Aug 7, 2025 
Nina Munk, a seasoned journalist and author of 'Fools Rush In,' discusses the dramatic rise and fall of AOL, particularly its ill-fated merger with Time Warner. She shares insights on the cultural clashes that contributed to the merger's failure. Alongside her, Michael Calore reminisces about the cultural impact of AOL Instant Messenger, likening its vibrant social interactions to nostalgic hangouts. They explore how these early communications shaped today's digital interactions and reflect on AOL's lasting footprint in the tech landscape.
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AOL’s Brand Over Tech Vision
- AOL succeeded by making the internet approachable and friendly, not just a tech company.
- Steve Case wanted AOL to be "the Coca-Cola of the online world," emphasizing brand over technology.
Dot-Com Bubble Creates AOL Millionaires
- AOL stock surged from $2 to $40, creating thousands of millionaires before the merger.
- AOL's valuation exceeded major companies despite having much lower revenues than Time Warner.
Boardroom Clash Strike First
- AOL and Time Warner had radically different board meeting styles that clashed immediately.
- Jerry Levin described the AOL board meeting chaos as a "frat party" with drinking Snapple and snack bags on the table.
