RIPP RIPE FOR AOLTW

Joseph Ripp has been tapped to become CFO of the joint AOLTW unit once the planned merger between the two media giants is completed

AOL said Thursday (10/12) that Ripp, who has been executive VP/CFO at Time Warner since last year, will work with AOL CFO J. Michael Kelly, who was named CFO of AOLTW five months ago when the companies unveiled the new management team for the combined company. Ripp will report to Barry Schuler, president of AOL interactive services, who, as previously announced, will become chairman/CEO of AOL when the merger is completed.

"We are confident that Joe's operational understanding, financial experience and proven performance as a team player will make him an asset to AOL and to AOLTW, helping us drive growth and achieve a new level of collaboration throughout the company," said Schuler.