, September 15, 1998 — Microsoft today joined nearly 50 online companies and organizations at an event in Washington, D.C., to announce America Links Up (ALU), a nationwide public-awareness and education campaign aimed at providing adults and children with the necessary information and tools to ensure a safe and rewarding online experience. The goal of America Links Up, is to reach communities across the country through hundreds of local Internet
“Teach-Ins,”
events that will bring parents, teachers, librarians and other caregivers together to discuss Internet basics and to learn how to guide children’s online activities.
“Microsoft is strongly committed to the goals of the America Links Up campaign,”
said Laura Jennings, vice president of MSN.
“We believe the collective efforts of nearly 50 online companies and organizations will help educate children, their parents, teachers and librarians, about the safest ways to enjoy all that the online world has to offer.”
In addition to its sponsorship of ALU, Microsoft also challenged fellow online companies to match Microsoft’s committment to promote the ALU website by offering access to free online advertising space on Microsoft-related web sites. This promotion will result in a potential promotional commitment to ALU of $1,000,000 and will likely generate more than 25 million impressions for ALU.