COMPUSERVE FLATTENS RATES
By Adnews Staff
CompuServe Corp., the on-line service based in Columbus, Ohio, announced last week that in October it will introduce a flat-rate unlimited access fee of $24.95 per month in the United States and Canada to replace the current per-hour fee structure. The move to the new rate structure will be voluntary for users. Those who wish to do so may continue with the old system. Also, certain special CompuServe services will continue to carry an extra access fee. "We believe the new flat-rate option is an appropriate step as we work to reverse the decline in our U.S. subscriber base during the past year," said CompuServe chairman Frank Salizzoni. CompuServe Canada brand manager Deborah Knight told Adnews that the rate change is being incorporated into the company's existing ad campaign, consisting mostly of ads in computer and business publications. In Canada, Toronto-based AKA Communications handles CompuServe's media buying, while McIntyre Kennedy Inc. of Toronto takes care of strategy and creative.