Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2001/08/09/stelios_ads_slam_aol/

Stelios ads slam AOL

Tear up your AOL account

By Tim Richardson

Posted in On-Prem, 9th August 2001 14:49 GMT

easyEverything is turning up the heat on AOL UK, urging people to "tear up their AOL accounts" and opt for unlimited use of its Internet cafe chain instead.

On Monday, easyEverything is expected to run with more ads urging people to ditch AOL. These are expected to feature a picture of Easy Group boss, Stelios Haji-Ioannou, ripping up his AOL account.

And just to rub it in, the ads will also appear on high-sided vans driven around the capital. At least one is expected to make its way to AOL UK's HQ in London and conveniently "break down" outside the Internet giant's offices.

Some reports claim easyEverything believes its mischievous actions could see it facing legal action from AOL. Even so, the chain is set to go ahead with its plans.

A spokesman for the company said: "AOL realises that this represents a serious threat to their business."

An AOL UK spokeswoman declined to comment on whether the company would be taking legal until she had seen the new campaign.

However, she said: "If legal action is appropriate or necessary, then we would take it."

AOL UK says it welcomes competition but believes easyEverything is being unfair since its ad does not compare like with like.

The offer - only applicable for its Tottenham Court Road cybercafe - gives people unlimited usage of the Net for just £15 a month.

AOL UK also offers its subscriber base - many of whom don't live anywhere near London - unlimited Net access for £15 a month.

easyEverything says it has already introduced its monthly season tickets in its cybercafes in NewYork, Brussels and Tottenham Court Road in London. Other locations are expected to follow in due course.

So what's this all about? Easy.

easyEverything has picked on AOL to stoke up some press interest for its new cybercafe season-ticket. It's good knockabout fun - but it has little real substance to the wider picture what's going on. Merely a storm in one of easyEverything's coffee cups. ®