AIM Smart Corp. Expands Offer of Free Internet Access to 17,340,000.

GOODRICH, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 15, 1998--Officials of AIM Smart Corp. (OTC:AIMS) Tuesday announced a program rollout offering free Internet access to shoppers at 28 retail centers owned and managed by affiliates of The Rouse Co. (NYSE:RSE) of Columbia, Md.

The rollout is expected to reach a total trade-area population surrounding these retail centers of 17,340,000 people. The rollout is designed to increase mall sales and put Smart AIM on target for the SmartAIM Shoppers network to be in 550 malls within two years. Smart AIM is an operating subsidiary of AIM Smart.

"By the end of October, we expect to offer the free Internet SmartAIM SmartShopper program through 28 Rouse shopping centers. We expect 14 of these centers to be equipped with Smart Shopper Pavilions. After the holidays, we plan to complete Pavilion rollout to the remaining Rouse malls," said Robert Van Duren, president of Smart AIM.

"To increase customer-service levels, Rouse wanted SmartAIM Pavilions to be better integrated with mall operations. As a result, newer Pavilions are fully integrated with information desks located in the malls," Van Duren said.

"The Rouse Co. uses its Premier Shopping Club to increase sales and traffic, both in-mall and over the Internet," said Garry Eberhardt, chief operating officer of Smart AIM.

"By joining the local Premier Shopping Club, shoppers are rewarded by receiving special discounts and exclusive services, which include free gift wrapping and free local phone calls, exclusive invitations to events and free Internet access.

"The Premier Shopper enrollment program is currently in full back-to-school force, with 100 to 275 people enrolling per day at each of the 28 targeted malls. As part of the enrollment process, each shopper receives a membership card, a user ID and a SmartAIM CD-ROM for free Internet access," said Eberhardt.

Premier Club members without a home computer also receive a club card and a user ID. Both the club card and the ID card can be used in the mall Pavilion for e-commerce, interactive marketing exchange, coupons and e-mail.

"We are clearly happy with the numbers of shoppers who have already enrolled in the Premier Shopper club," said Robin S. Higgins, director of marketing, Eastern Region, for The Rouse Co. "The benefits of the program are wide-reaching, and we expect each shopper to experience added value to their shopping trip to the mall."

About AIM Smart

Smart AIM, an operating subsidiary of AIM Smart, operates the SmartAIM communications and media network, which provides free Internet and other communications services to mall shoppers. Advertisers receive microtargeted advertising solutions.

With 550 locations, SmartAIM expects to offer services to 25 million households. SmartAIM concept testing began in January 1996. The company's Web site is http://www.aim-smart.com.

About The Rouse Co.

With headquarters in Columbia, Md., The Rouse Co. was founded in 1939, became a public company in 1956 (NYSE:RSE) and, on Jan. 1, 1998, organized and began operations as a real estate investment trust (REIT).

Through its numerous affiliates, the company operates more than 200 properties, encompassing office, retail, research and development and industrial space in 25 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. The company is also the developer of the planned communities of Columbia, Md., and Summerlin, Nev. The company's Web site is http://www.therousecompany.com.

NOTE: This news release contains forward-looking statements concerning the company's business and products. Actual results may differ materially depending on a number of risk factors. The company undertakes no obligation to revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

CONTACT: Gaskins & Co.

Francis Gaskins, 310/826-6017

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