Spears runs a children's camp for the performing arts in the US

"We are in the midst of transforming the online music experience for consumers," said Barry Schuler, Chairman and CEO.

He said that this new partnership underscored the internet's ability "to reinvent the way that music is marketed."

AOL Time Warner - who also deal with Madonna and Jewel - will promote the artist's albums and live tour.

Reputation

AOL members will get the first chance to buy tickets to her concerts.

Spears has also said she will donate $1 (69p) from every ticket to benefit children of fire-fighters and police officers who died in the attacks on the US of 11 September.

The teenage star is developing a reputation for willingness to try out new technologies.

In May she became the first artist to use "immersive" technology allowing fans to watch one of her concerts from any angle on a special DVD.

In June she joined with AOL rival Yahoo Inc to produce an online site that allows fans to follow her and boyfriend Justin Timberlake of N'Sync on a shopping spree.

The interactive feature showed a seven-minute video of Britney and Justin's shopping trip, featuring a soundtrack by Spears, playing in a small window.

Spears also has sponsorship deals with other companies such as soft drinks manufacturer Pepsi.