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 Just
as deals and mergers were getting bigger, along came the deal of a lifetime.
America Online (AOL) and Time Warner (TW) communications became one under
the sign of Capricorn. The incorporation (birth) of the new mega-company
was January 11, 2001 when the FCC approved the merger and papers were
signed.
AOL-TW has the potential to become a company like no other. It is the
first fully integrated, Internet-powered media and communications company
in the world. At the helm of this merger, and now CEO, is Leo Steve
Case, who states that AOL-TW is united by a shared purpose
and a common vision. The mission is “To become the world's most respected
and valued company, connecting, informing and entertaining people around
the world in innovative ways that will enrich their lives.” This statement
is reflective of the company’s Capricorn Sun. Capricorn is known as a
hard-working sign with shrewd business sense that likes to earn the respect
of others.
Its
Challenges and Rewards
The
challenges and rewards of this company are expressed in its chart in two
significant astrological signatures, a t-square and a grand trine. A t-square
is formed when two planets are opposed each other (180 degrees apart),
and both are square (90 degrees from) a third planet, forming a t-pattern.
The t-square brings increased energy and can be stressful. When the formation
is “activated” by a planet moving across the position of one of the points
of the t, the person or entity with the t-square in its chart needs to use more effort to meet a challenge.
This
t-square begins with rebellious Uranus in its own strong sign of Aquarius,
ruler of technology, innovation and the Internet. Uranus opposes the Moon,
representing the public and stockholders, in the sign of Leo. This tells
us that where the company desires to go may be at odds with the consumer’s
best interests, as the Moon-Uranus combination tries to break old habits
of an industry and usually balks at restrictions.
Federal
regulators (the FCC and FTC) have imposed critical consumer protections
on this merger. The FCC required the combined company to make AOL’s popular
instant messaging service work with competing services by either implementing
an industry-wide standard or entering contracts to show its system can operate with at
least three rivals within six months.
Completing
the t-square, the planet of contraction, Saturn, and the planet of expansion,
Jupiter, sit on the Midheaven, the “career” point in the chart, suggesting
that the new company is ready for success. Spin-offs may be formed to experiment with new ideas, systems and content
with the hopes of no major disruption from the federal regulators.
Saturn and
Jupiter square Uranus, calling for the old traditional rigid patterns
of the industry to step aside as desire for change and new experience
take the lead. Jupiter and Saturn also square the Moon, which indicates that
the challenge to combine two corporate culture and do what it must to receive
public support (Moon) and avoid regulatory (Saturn) issues in order to
expand and grow (Jupiter).
The
Rewards
In
contrast to the potential frictions of the t-square, the grand trine is
a positive, benefic pattern of three planets in a triangle, each 120 degrees
from the others. With this formation, it takes fewer resources to achieve
an end result. Resourceful Venus in the creative sign of
Pisces shows a global perspective in the way they package and market media
and content, with emphasis strongly on wireless and broadband technologies.
Pisces is a sign without boundaries (good for wireless technology) and
Venus represents resources, assets and mainly money—big money!
Venus trines
the action planet Mars, which is strong in its placement in Scorpio, providing the
ambition and drive to accomplish extraordinary feats after cutting the fat to increase efficiency. Investors and shareholders
are promised that AOL-TW will work to bring dynamic returns that reward
their trust.
Venus and
Mars trine the North Node in Cancer, indicating that the company’s destiny
(symbolized by the North Node) is likely to be warm public acceptance (Cancer). A lunar eclipse conjunct this North Node occurred within 48 hours of the
birth of the new company, suggesting it will
go through many significant changes as it progresses along its path.
How
Will This Company Perform?
AOL-TW has
a wild and rebellious streak that can enhance its valuable position in
the world or disrupt it. Ambitious and aggressive, it will tackle difficult
projects to achieve its goals.
At the time
of the merger, the stock now known as AOL had been trading around $48.
The first quarter of 2005 suggests some great benefits coming from the
company. Stock should be up nicely. But beware; transiting Neptune will
then set off the t-square for a couple of years by mid-2005, diminishing
resources and prices. The stock could potentially decline.
Basically,
AOL-TW stock is a good buy near this price, and should weather well through
2005. One thing is for certain, the journey will offer instant access
to a breathtaking array of choices that has just begun as AOL-TW leads
us boldly into the Internet century!
Notes
Steve Case
applied for a job with Time Warner in 1980 fresh out of college and visions
of big ideas about the future, brashly predicting “big” innovations in
telecommunications.
Steve Case’s
Sun, Mercury and Pluto conjunction sits on AOL-TW’s Ascendant, suggesting
that he will be a strong leader with vision to take this company where he wants it to
go.
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