CONTACT:
Sears Public Relations And Communications
(847) 286-8371
Sears and AOL Launch 'Good News Now' to Share Uplifting News
New Web Site Gives Positive News From Around the World and Allows
Consumers to Contribute and Share Their Own Good News
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. and NEW YORK, June 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Sears and
AOL News today announced their foray into delivering 'good news' at a time
when Americans need it most, with a new Web site called Good News Now,
available at GNN.com (http://www.gnn.com). As Americans continue to
navigate through the challenges of the economy, they can now turn to Good
News Now for the latest feel-good stories, photos and videos from
throughout the world and also share their own good news stories.
GNN.com delivers the positive pick-me-up that Americans need now more
than ever. With a wide variety of news, tips and feel-good stories, Good
News Now will help consumers remember that good news does exist. From
national news and a focus on green and health-related topics, to learning
more about heroes or causes among us, the Web site is a one-stop 'shop' for
positive news.
"Good News Now addresses the fundamental human need for fulfillment and
joy," said Don Hamblen, Sears' chief marketing officer. "We recognized
there was so much negative news out there and people needed a positive
break so we developed a site with heart-warming stories on kindness and
good deeds - that's Good News Now. "
"We are excited that we can bring people the best news and highlight
the good that is happening in the world today," said Marty Moe, senior vice
president, AOL News, Sports, Money & Finance. "Based on its strong roots,
Sears is an ideal partner in this as we celebrate positive news and try to
remember what matters most to people in these struggling times. Bringing
this integrated experience to AOL consumers and allowing them to be part of
the news gathering process helps bring users from many demographics
together as one complete audience."
Sears' sponsorship of Good News Now is part of the retailer's new
communications initiative - Life. Well spent - which debuted earlier this
year. 'Life. Well spent.' voices that optimism that Sears has by enriching
its customers' lives. Sears is constantly examining every level of its
brand experience so that its customers will not only find what they want at
prices they expect, but also with the confidence in knowing it doesn't stop
there.
Visitors to the site find not only the best in news, but also have the
ability to upload and share good news daily by submitting links to positive
articles from around the world. Visitors can also find the best shopping
deals and begin their online shopping directly from the site. Sears
customers have easy access to shop at Sears.com or find a store nearby.
Good News Now provides fundamental news, including the latest weather from
a daily selection of cities experiencing sunshine or pleasant conditions,
stock prices of companies who are up for the day, along with the AOL Search
toolbar to navigate and search for additional topics.
A previous version of the site sponsored by Sears during the holiday
season garnered millions of unique visitors per month and an average visit
time of over 4 minutes. Good News Now will continue to evolve and add new
features scheduled to go live later this spring and summer.
About Sears Holdings Corporation
Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation's fifth largest broadline
retailer with approximately 3,900 full-line and specialty retail stores in
the United States and Canada. Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance
retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, home electronics
and automotive repair and maintenance. Key proprietary brands include
Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including
such well-known labels as Lands' End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well
as the Apostrophe and Covington brands. It also has Martha Stewart Everyday
products, which are offered exclusively in the U.S. by Kmart. We are the
nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 12 million
service calls made annually. Sears Holdings Corporation operates through
its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation.
For more information, visit Sears Holdings' website at
http://www.searsholdings.com.
About AOL
AOL is a global Web services company that operates some of the most
popular Web destinations, offers a comprehensive suite of free software and
services, runs one of the largest Internet access businesses in the U.S.,
and provides a full set of advertising solutions. A majority-owned
subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., AOL LLC and its subsidiaries have
operations in the U.S., Europe, Canada and Asia. Learn more at AOL.com.
SOURCE Sears Holdings Corporation
Web site: http://www.searsholdings.com
CONTACT: Carolyn Goldberg of Euro RSCG Worldwide PR,
+1-212-367-6947, carolyn.goldberg@eurorscg.com, for Sears
Holdings; or Tom Aiello of Sears Holdings, +1-847-286-7387,
taiell1@searshc.com; or Alysia Lew of AOL Corporate
Communications, +1-212-652-6376, alysia.lew@corp.aol.com
