AOL launches ad network; moves headquarters to NYC

Time Warner's AOL said Monday that it will launch a new ad network called Platform A.

Platform A is a new entity that bundles a bunch of recent AOL acquisitions, including Advertising.com, TACODA, Third Screen Media, Lightningcast and ADTECH.

AOL in a statement said the move is the final part of its transition to an ad supported business. Platform A reaches 90 percent of the domestic online audience. The move is part of a land grab to create advertising networks. Google bought DoubleClick. Microsoft bought aQuantive and Yahoo acquired Right Media. Ad networks are just a necessity for the large players.

In a related move, AOL said it is relocating its headquarters to New York City where parent Time Warner is based. AOL, which said the move aligns it better with advertising firms, noted that it will "continue to have significant operations" in Dulles, Va.

Separately, AOL inked a deal with HP to provide versions of its portal, toolbar and search on HP PCs around the world. AOL and HP will offer a co-branded home page as a default on PCs.