The FINANCIAL -- AOL Inc. (NYSE: AOL) announced on September 8 that Jim Wiatt, former chairman and chief executive of the William Morris Agency, will assume the new role of strategic advisor to AOL.

Wiatt, who will report directly to Chairman and CEO Tim Armstrong, will advise the company on a wide range of issues, helping to expand AOL's development of content, partnerships and relationships across the entertainment and media worlds. Wiatt is stepping down from AOL's Board of Directors to take on the new role, which he will begin immediately.

"Jim has made outstanding contributions to the AOL Board, but we are grateful to now have more of his time creating partnerships for AOL as we expand our focus on developing original content," said Armstrong. "Jim moves among the great content creators of our day, and his expertise in recognizing opportunities and structuring relationships is exactly what we need."

"I believed in this company's vision from the moment I met Tim and the AOL team," said Wiatt. "This is a unique opportunity, and I am excited about working closely with Tim to deliver compelling results for our consumers and advertisers."

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