IR News｜News

 Benesse Corporation, Berlitz Japan, Inc., and AOL Japan, Inc. have announced a new joint business initiative. The venture involves a collaboration of online material in which AOL's extensive online media, such as CNN and Time of the Time Warner Group, will have a real time link to Berlitz English Passport teaching material. A joint promotional campaign is also planned.

The first step in the campaign is a special offer available for a limited time to new students of Berlitz. Those who enroll between March 1 and April 30, 2004 will receive a free twelve-month subscription to the AOL 100 MB fiber optic "B FLETS" plan. New students enrolling at Berlitz, who are already current AOL members, will receive two complimentary private English lessons. And as a special privilege to current AOL broadband customers, Berlitz will also offer use of the Berlitz Web service and GTEC (Global Test of English Communication) demonstration service, which is scheduled to start at the end of April. These features can be accessed through AOL International (http://international.aol.co.jp/) on the AOL site.

Mid-range plans include upgrading the AOL site to enable GTEC registration and testing, a community link for AOL members and Berlitz students, and a variety of other joint initiatives. For the future, the primary goal will be to expand such collaborative operations worldwide.


Note: GTEC is a comprehensive English proficiency test of business level communication skills jointly developed by Berlitz and Benesse.