• by Tameka Kee , February 25, 2008

AOL has launched AOL.com.mx, a Spanish-language Web portal for Mexico, and rolled out AOL Home, a U.S.-based home improvement and domestic enthusiast site.

Both endeavors highlight a key step the Web giant has taken in its struggle to break the shackles of its former subscription-based business. By partnering with media outlets and other companies, AOL can offer relevant, must-have content that draws in monetizable traffic.

AOL Mexico will feature original news, sports, entertainment and lifestyle content, as well as offer users free e-mail and instant messaging (through AIM). The hub will also feature MP3s and streaming audio and video, as well as the video search engine Truveo.

The Web giant partnered with Time Inc.'s Grupo Editoral Expansíon to deliver business news and analysis via RSS feeds and articles from the CNNExpansion.com site (a joint effort between Grupo Editoral Expansíon and CNN). Mexico City-based Grupo Editoral Expansíon will also serve as AOL's in-country ad sales support team. AOL will also develop two co-branded AOL Mexico portals--one with HP and the other with Alestra (the Mexico-based subsidiary of AT&T).

Meanwhile, at AOL Home, users will find original editorial content, as well as tips on decorating, entertaining and keeping their home organized from publications like Hearst Magazines Digital Media's RedbookMag.com, CondéNast's Domino and Time Inc.'s Real Simple.

AOL also snagged Eric Stromer of TLC's "Clean Sweep," and Rib Hills of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," to host their own original home improvement and maintenance videos.