AOL 'to tap Miller for online'


AOl Time Warner may name a new head for its online division

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) -- AOL Time Warner could name former cable TV and online executive Jonathan Miller to head its America Online division as early as Tuesday, a newspaper reported.

Miller, a former USA Interactive executive, will be named CEO of America Online, the Wall Street Journal Web site reported Monday.

The move had been widely expected.

The top spot at the media conglomerate's America Online unit has been vacant since April, when Barry Schuler resigned.

Robert Pittman then assumed control of the unit as its chief operating officer, but in mid-July Pittman also quit under pressure.

'Fresh perspective'

Pittman headed the division prior to AOL's acquisition of Time Warner, which was completed in January 2001. He had also been considered a contender for AOL Time Warner CEO.

"What AOL needs is somebody who can provide a fresh perspective," Rob Lancaster, analyst at Yankee Group, was quoted as saying in the report.

"AOL has been a little stagnant. They roll out a new version every year, but the improvements really haven't blown anybody away."

Miller is a longtime cable executive whose career has ranged from the National Basketball Association's cable operations to Nickelodeon and the Home Shopping Network, the newspaper said.

AOL, the biggest U.S. Internet service provider, has been troubled by slowing subscriber growth and a sharp drop in advertising revenue. The service is set to unveil the latest version of its software in the northern autumn.

AOL Time Warner is the parent of CNN, CNN/Money, Time magazine and Warner Bros. studios.