READING: Business 2.0 has published its third annual The 101 Dumbest Moments in Business. Amazingly, AOLTW isn't mentioned until # 89-91, when Biz 2.0 lambasts the company's stunning devaluation.
That's fine, but I'm surprised that some of the AOL brand's brighter moments aren't mentioned in this article, such as:
1) Announce a new series of commmunity and content initiatives in October 2002, then switch strategies less than 3 months later.
2) Make a big deal about the Microsoft plastering New York City with MSN butterflies in October 2002--after all, doesn't calling the city to complain about the butterflies prove AOL 8.0 is the better product?
2) Announce that Netscape will be a key partner in distributing AOLTW content on the Internet--then less than 3 months later, announce many of the most popular Time Inc brands will be available only on AOL service.
(Disclaimer: I was employed by AOLTW through December 2002.)