AOL, Target Form Marketing Alliance

America Online Inc. and Target Corp. formed a cross-marketing alliance under which AOL will become Target’s “preferred online service” for promoting some products and services. Target’s online store, which sells merchandise and offers gift registries and other special services, will be promoted on AOL.com, Compuserve and Netscape. A “special edition” of the AOL service will be created, with prominent links to Target.com. Benefits will be offered to new Target/AOL members who subscribe to the service through the retailer. Terms of the agreement weren’t disclosed. AOL also has marketing alliances with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Sears.