Lycos Europe expands in Russia

Lycos Europe, a joint venture between Terra Lycos and Bertelsmann, said it has launched in Russia with a Moscow office and Web site. The company said the Web site includes features such as a search function, a mail service, chat and a Web catalog. Cuneyt Baltaoglu, Lycos Russia's managing director, said the company aims to target Russia's "Internet newbies" and will focus its efforts in Moscow as well as in key urban cities. Baltaoglu added that the company plans to offer Lycos partner businesses with "the benefit of our local experience and a valuable entry point into the Russian market." The Russian staff consists of 12 Lycos employees. Lycos Europe has a network of Web sites in 10 languages and covers 14 countries, including Austria, Belgium, Italy and Spain. Each country, according to Lycos Europe, has a local operation with its own language and content-specific services.