• by August 7, 2000

Access Internet magazine is launching a companion ad–supported website today – accessmagazine.com. The site will build on the stories and reviews in each week's issue of the magazine with more original content including additional site reviews, web tips, and interactive Q&A; Internet news updated continuously throughout the day; longer-form versions of stories running in the magazine; and "In Focus" a daily special report that analyzes and explains the impact on the average Web user of industry news and trends.

All issues of Access Magazine, known as "America's Guide to the Internet" also will be archived on the site.

Accessmagazine.com launches with a searchable database of more than 3000 sites reviewed by Access Magazine, and by the end of the year expects to have more than 5000. Between the magazine and website, 50 to 70 new sites will be reviewed weekly and rated up to 4 A (for Access) icons. Sites rating 4As are also given special recognition in a separate section called the "A List" for quicker access.

The new site will be advertiser supported. Among the list of advertisers running banners during the launch period are: Dell Computer Corp., Bristol-Myers Squibb, Compaq Factory Outlet, Mall.com, and Merck & Company.

Some advertisers will buy online units in conjunction with ads running in the print magazine, others buy just the site at differing CPMs depending on how the ad unit is targeted. Advertisers may also purchase custom sponsorships of individual content areas for a flat monthly rate plus setup fees.

National advertising is being sold by the site's own sales staff.