The AOL Huffington Post Media Group Kicks Off Job Assistance and Career Development Resource and Expanded, Ongoing Coverage of Veterans and Their Families
AOL "You've Got" Video Goes Live Today
with First Lady Michelle Obama and
Dr. Jill Biden on Their National Drive to Help Veterans and Their Spouses
Patch.com Launches "Patch Military" Initiative
New York, NY, April 12, 2011 – AOL, Inc. (NYSE:AOL) today announces the launch of "Military Families Week" in support of a White House initiative calling on Americans to honor, recognize and support military families. The AOL Huffington Post Media Group, a leading source of news, opinion, entertainment, community and digital information, is launching a wide range of ongoing initiatives across their network dedicated to spotlighting military veterans and their families and providing them with employment and career resources.
AOL will feature a career development and job placement hub, and The AOL Huffington Post Media Group will launch an intensive, weeklong spotlight on nonprofits helping service families. The initiative will kick off today with a special AOL "You've Got" video featuring First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden. As part of this effort, Patch.com, the hyperlocal news and information platform, announces a "Patch Military" initiative bringing the news and community platform to military locations around the country.
"We're proud to support this vitally important mission to help pay back the military families who have served this country so generously," said Tim Armstrong, CEO of AOL. "The combination of our broad national reach with our depth of local coverage makes AOL the ideal platform for this important effort."
Said Arianna Huffington, President and Editor-in-Chief of The AOL Huffington Post Media Group: "While we're announcing 'Military Families Week,' we see this as just the beginning of a comprehensive effort to offer wide-ranging coverage of the issues facing service families. For instance, today, across various sections, we'll be examining the devastating effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and the high rate of unemployment facing our veterans. We will also be providing tools for service families to connect with each other and to access the services they need. And we're delighted to be announcing 'Patch Military,' our latest effort to serve communities nationwide."
Special "You've Got" Launches Spotlight on Military Families
First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden are broadcasting their campaign in support of military families in an AOL "You've Got" video launching today. The video will reach an audience of more than 10 million daily AOL.com users.* The AOL Huffington Post Media Group will today cover and prominently feature the stories of military families and explore diverse issues that affect them, including mental health, substance abuse, health care, divorce and education.
Career Development and Job Placement Resources Hub
AOL Jobs, a career development and job placement hub (http://jobs.aol.com/militaryfamilies), will enable military families to post resumes and connect with business opportunities. The site will give prospective employers access to posted resumes of returning soldiers and military spouses. In addition, it will offer extensive career development resources, including tips on interviewing, pursuing accreditation and degrees, negotiating salaries and more.
"Patch Military" Announced
Patch.com, a national platform of more than 800 hyperlocal news and information sites,announces the upcoming launch of "Patch Military," an extension of the company's mission to offer in-depth coverage designed to improve residents' lives and connect them with neighbors, events and services in their communities. The first Patch Military site will launch this spring and will be modeled after traditional Patch sites, with special coverage tailored to the needs of service members, their families and communities.
Driving Awareness to Nonprofits Helping Veterans and Their Families
AOL will use its powerful platform to encourage users to get involved by highlighting nonprofits helping military families. A cause module will highlight organizations helping in areas such as wellness, education and career development. The initiative will make it easy to donate to leading organizations that benefit veterans and their families, including the USO, IAVA, Fisher House and Hire Heroes USA. AOL is also creating an "I Support The Troops" online badge that can be added to e-mail signatures and posted on social networking sites.
* Average daily visitors from comScore Media Metrix March 2011
About AOL
AOL Inc. (NYSE:AOL) is a leading global Web services company with an extensive suite of brands and offerings and a substantial worldwide audience. AOL's business spans online content, products and services that the company offers to consumers, publishers and advertisers. AOL is focused on attracting and engaging consumers and providing valuable online advertising services on both AOL's owned and operated properties and third-party websites. In addition, AOL operates one of the largest Internet subscription access services in the United States, which serves as a valuable distribution channel for AOL's consumer offerings.