Free AOL Coaches Program Connects Publishers and Authors with
Millions through Original, Interactive, On-Demand Programming
DULLES, Va., Nov. 16, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- AOL today announced the first 2006 lineup of top self-help authors to join its expanded AOL Coaches program (http://www.aol.com/coaches?source=PZ4). Joining AOL's already impressive Coaches roster, which includes Jean Chatzky, Steven Covey, John Gray and others, the new AOL Coaches are: Denise Austin ("Eat Carbs, Lose Weight"; "Shrink Your Female Fat Zones"), Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish ("How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk"), Mary Hunt ("Debt-Proof Living"; "Live Your Life For Half The Price"), Carolyn O'Neil ("The Dish on Eating Healthy and Being Fabulous!"), Michael Roizen ("YOU-The Owner's Manual"), and Jake Steinfeld ("I've Seen a Lot of Famous People Naked, and They've Got Nothing on You!").
AOL(r) Coaches is an all-encompassing self-improvement website providing solutions and answers to people's most pressing questions in the areas of diet and fitness, wellness, business and careers, money, kids and family, and romance. The free program connects publishers and authors to one of the Web's largest audiences of book enthusiasts(a) through original, interactive and on-demand programming.
Jake Steinfeld is among the first of the coaches to be featured in a new interactive workshop format available through the expanded AOL Coaches program. The workshop enables consumers to access his tips and insights through a full-featured, multimedia program and includes his programs on how to start a business and how to set up a home office, and also features tips about writing a business plan and raising capital.
AOL expects to showcase 12-15 authors in interactive workshops in 2006. Fifty to 75 other authors will be featured with audio and video recordings, about 150 will have their works excerpted, and 300 to 500 will be listed in the Coaches Expert and Advice Directory.
"We feel the time is right for us to introduce this expanded Coaches program," said Jennie Baird, Executive Director of AOL Coaches. "With the digital books space heating up, and authors and publishers wanting to be online more than ever to reach consumers, we feel confident that we have a platform that meets the needs of both consumers and authors. AOL Coaches can offer consumers the answers they need from America's most trusted experts."
"The massive exposure on AOL has made my book a bestseller, allowing users to do more than just read book excerpts. I am able to reach a tremendous new audience through video, podcast interviews, a contest and alerts about upcoming appearances," said Jake Steinfeld, founder and Chairman of Body By Jake Global LLC, and AOL Careers Coach. "AOL connects me to new readers with cutting-edge tools that translate into sales."
The Coaches website (http://aol.com/coaches?source=PZ5) features original interactive content produced in conjunction with the author in fast, functional bites incorporating tips, hints and secrets. Through the use of interactive videos, licensed book excerpts and "first reads", tutorials, blogs, podcasts and more, Internet users can sample new self-help book releases, as well as enjoy the intimacy of connecting with authors online.
AOL's Coaches content and resources are available to consumers on the AOL.com(r) portal (http://aol.com/coaches?source=PZ6), the AOL(r) service at AOL Keyword: Coaches, as well the Coaches Web site (http://www.coaches.com?source=PZ7).
The New Lineup of AOL Coaches includes:
Diet and Fitness: Denise Austin -- America's favorite fitness expert has been promoting health and fitness for more than 25 years through her books, television shows, magazine columns, videos and DVDs, her "Morning Stretch" newsletter, the "Fit Forever!" online program, and her Web site, http://www.DeniseAustin.com, a Waterfront Media property. Denise is also a member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, an organization that strives to promote, encourage, and motivate Americans of all ages to become physically active and participate in sports.
Kids and Family: Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish -- Internationally acclaimed parenting experts Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish are the award-winning authors of the bestselling "How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk" and "Siblings Without Rivalry." Their newest, much anticipated book is "How to Talk So Teens Will Listen & Listen So Teens Will Talk."
Money: Mary Hunt -- Mary Hunt, money management guru and nationally-respected authority on consumer spending habits and financial responsibility. Mary has written 15 books, the most recent is "Live Your Life For Half The Price", and writes the nationally syndicated daily newspaper column, "Everyday Cheapskate."
Diet and Fitness: Carolyn O'Neil - Registered Dietitian and award-winning former CNN Food & Health correspondent, Carolyn O'Neil is co-author of "The Dish on Eating Healthy and Being Fabulous!" (Atria Books). Carolyn's stylish and savvy diet advice is tailored to fit contemporary lifestyles including tips on cooking in, eating out, entertaining and traveling.
Wellness: Michael Roizen -- Dr. Roizen is Chair of the Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine, and Pain Management at the Cleveland Clinic where he practices both internal medicines and anesthesiology. He is co-author of the No. 1 New York Times bestseller "YOU-The Owner's Manual", author of the No. 1 New York Times Bestseller "RealAge: Are You As Young As You Can Be?", and four other RealAge books. Dr. Roizen is the founder and chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of RealAge.com.
Careers: Jake Steinfeld -- Jake Steinfeld, founder and Chairman of Body By Jake Global LLC, is a world-recognized fitness icon and is responsible for creating the personal fitness training industry. In 1993 he launched FitTV, America's first 24-hour fitness lifestyle television network, which he grew to more than 13 million subscribers and sold to FOX Broadcasting just four years later. Through his book "I've Seen a Lot of Famous People Naked, and They've Got Nothing on You!", Jake shares his experience and practical wisdom with entrepreneurs everywhere.
The new coaches join an impressive lineup of existing AOL Coaches, who are nationally recognized experts in key lifestyle areas. They are presented by Better Life Media and include:
Jean Chatzky ("You Don't Have to Be Rich"), Stephen Covey ("7 Habits of Highly Effective People"; "The Eighth Habit"), Jorge Cruise ("8 Minutes in the Morning(r)"; "The 3-Hour Diet(tm)"), Lois Frankel ("Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office"), Jeffrey Gitomer ("The Sales Bible"; "The Little Red Book of Selling"), John Gottman ("The Relationship Cure"; "7 Principles for Making Marriage Work"), John Gray ("Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus"), Lana Holstein ("Your Long Erotic Weekend"), Loretta LaRoche ("The Joy of Stress"), Tom Peters ("In Search of Excellence"; "Brand You"), Tom Rath ("How Full Is Your Bucket"), Brian Tracy ("Million Dollar Habits"; "Goals!") and Denis Waitley ("The Psychology of Winning").
About America Online, Inc.
America Online, Inc. and its subsidiaries operate a leading network of Web brands and the largest Internet access subscription service in the United States. Brands include the AOL(r) service, the AOL.com(r) website, and the AIM(r), MapQuest(r), Moviefone(r), Netscape(r), CompuServe(r) and ICQ(r) services. America Online offers a range of digital services including the TotalTalk(r) voice service. The company also has operations in Canada and Europe. America Online, Inc. is based in Dulles, Virginia, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc.
(a) The AOL Network attracts 112 million unique visitors each month (comScore Media Metrix); Women AOL users report books as their No.1 personal interest and the No.3 most popular purchase they make online (AOL Data).
For more information on how to get an author on AOL Coaches, please contact: aolcoaches@aol.com.