Sohu.com to place computers and provide online
services in selected Starbucks stores
BEIJING, CHINA, October 11, 2000 - Starbucks customers in
Beijing can now enjoy their favorite coffee beverage and surf the web for free
at selected Starbucks stores in the Chinese capital. SOHU.com (Nasdaq: SOHU),
the most popular Internet portal and online community center for Mainland China,
will provide free Internet access in selected Starbucks stores in Beijing.
In addition to free Internet access, the SOHU.com magazine will also be
available in the Starbucks stores. The magazine will soon be published in a
bi-lingual version called SOHU World.
"Starbucks takes great pride in enriching its customers' in-store
experience," said David Sun, CEO of Beijing Mei Da Coffee Co. Ltd, a licensee of
Starbucks Coffee International since 1999. "We are excited about this unique,
strategic alliance with SOHU.com as both our companies are intensely focused on
serving customers and providing first-class products and services where and when
they need it."
The alliance will heighten customer service and convenience in the following
ways on computers supplied by SOHU.com.
Starbucks customers will have access to SOHU.com in selected Starbucks stores
in Beijing, China; Starbucks customers and SOHU.com users will have seamless
access to the SOHU.com web site (www.sohu.com), and to the Starbucks web site
(www.starbucks.com) from within the stores. "The combination of Starbucks
and SOHU.com is a natural one, as is browsing the Net and enjoying a cup of
coffee," said Charles Zhang, president and CEO of SOHU.com. "The similarities
between the customers of Starbucks and SOHU.com make this alliance a
value-enhancing opportunity for both companies. Our cooperation will greatly
strengthen the brand presence of both companies within the growing Internet
community in Beijing."
About SOHU.com SOHU.com is the leading Internet portal in
Mainland China with current daily page views exceeding 12 million. It provides
navigation/search, news, sports, business and finance, real estate channel,
entertainment, chat, email and e-commerce activities for a solid and wide base
of visitors. Dr. Charles Zhang founded SOHU.com in 1997. Its investors include
Intel, Dow Jones, IDG, the Morningside China Group, PCCW, Legend and Hikari. Its
content partners include CNET, DOW Jones and dozens of local media organizations
in China.
For further information: Dahlia Wei SOHU Investor
Relations and Communications Tel: +86 10 6272 6598 E-mail:
ir@sohu-inc.com
http://www.sohu.com/about/English/ |