Posts Tagged ‘Idearc’

R.H. Donnelley To Exit Bankruptcy By End of January

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Yellow Pages publisher R.H. Donnelley is set to emerge from bankruptcy later this month after a U.S. court approved its reorganization plan. The move comes just two weeks after Idearc—rebranded SuperMedia—announced that it had exited bankruptcy.

R.H. Donnelley, which publishes 75 million Yellow Pages directories annually, is counting on new online and mobile offerings to help fuel its growth as consumers increasingly use those platforms for local search.

The Yellow Pages publisher is already making headway into the digital space. As we’ve noted, the company currently lists 11.5 million businesses online through its DexKnows.com Web site, supplies content for YellowPages.com, and has deals with search engines such as Google and Yahoo.

Additionally, it is offering online video advertising and reputation management for companies seeking to improve their online customer reviews, Reuters reports.

In a press release, David H. Swanson, chairman and CEO of R.H. Donnelley, said “R.H. Donnelley will become a stronger entity, better positioned to helping local businesses address their marketing needs.”

For more, read the company’s release here and a Reuters article here.

January 14, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Idearc Starts 2010 Fresh with New ‘SuperMedia’ Brand

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

A new year means a fresh start for all of us, but I am especially interested in what 2010 will mean for Idearc given its announcement yesterday that it is exiting bankruptcy, launching a new name and board of directors, and listing on the NASDAQ.

The company’s new brand – SuperMedia – ties together the brands that consumers will more commonly recognize like SuperYellowPages, Superpages.com, and SuperGuarantee.

A recent Reuters piece said that the company will take advantage of growing opportunities for small business on online and mobile platforms. As a sign of its dedication to these platforms, the company has named new members to its board from leading tech companies such as Tivo and Microsoft.

While SuperMedia still does about 85% of its business through its print directories, the company said it expects to develop a more hybrid ad model. Current projects include expanding its popular local search sites such as everycarlist.com into new segments, looking for new opportunities for its mobile applications, and planning new partnerships with Internet companies.

In a company announcement, Scott Klein, CEO of SuperMeida, said “Our new name symbolizes the rebirth of our company and along with it the ability to continue to deliver innovative ways that will change the way in which we help match buyers with sellers.”

What a great thought to start the year on.

January 5, 2010 | 3 Comments
Tags: , , , , , , ,

Reuters: Idearc and R.H. Donnelley “Plot High Tech Road”

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Reuters ran a piece this weekend looking at the high-tech futures of two major Yellow Pages companies, Idearc and R.H. Donnelley.

Reuters reports that both companies are likely to emerge from bankruptcy protection very soon and that their revitalized futures lie in developing new opportunities for small businesses on online and mobile platforms. Already, these companies have established viable online businesses: including creating new online directories such as SuperPages.com and dexknows.com, providing content to YellowPages.com and major search engines such as Google and Yahoo, and offering advertising support to services such as Google Maps and Microsoft Map Point.

Idearc and R.H. Donnelley also expressed confidence that their print directories will continue to serve as important tool for small businesses for years to come. Idearc’s research indicates that consumers still conduct billions of searches in print directories each year.

Read the full Reuters article here.

December 15, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Yellow Pages Association Co-Hosts Industry Environmental Webinar

Friday, September 18, 2009

Yellow Pages Association and the Association of Directory Publishers hosted last week an environmental webinar for members to discuss the importance of local consumer choice programs and the industry’s own yellowpagesoptout.com.

It was great to have so many industry representatives join the discussion. While the number of publishers that participate in consumer choice programs continues to grow, I believe the webinar was especially helpful in answering questions around the need for self-regulation and perceived impacts on advertising.

We know that delivering a directory to someone who doesn’t want one does not make much business sense. Providing people an opportunity to manage delivery is beneficial for both consumers and the environment. And given the dramatic growth in Internet Yellow Pages usage and our other digital tools, a consumer who opts-out of a printed directory still has plenty of access to the local information that we provide.

We’ve seen a number of announcements this year from large Yellow Pages companies announcing consumer choice programs. Idearc recently unveiled its program, which includes printing a toll-free number with opt-out information on all Verizon Yellow Pages’ covers. Idearc is also in the process of developing an online sitelet for consumer choice. Consumers will see a new, clearly marked tab on idearc.com by the end of this year for stopping delivery of printed directories.

In case you missed the webinar, you can view the slides.

September 18, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , , , , ,

A New Day for R.H. Donnelley

Friday, May 29, 2009

Today, news broke that R.H. Donnelley is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection so that it can restructure debt to move forward in a changing economy and local search market.

This action isn’t a surprise. For months, there has been quite a bit of speculation in the media and among analysts about R.H. Donnelley taking this step. And given that another large Yellow Pages publisher, Idearc, filed for bankruptcy protection this spring, many are incorrectly connecting it to the health of the industry overall.

From where I sit, I can confidently say that the health of our product offering is very strong. Research continually proves our value; this week’s Telmetrics data is the latest. Our industry is successfully making the transformation from a single product – the print directory – to a multi-channeled lead generator in the local search space. We’re seeing exciting innovations coming out of Yellow Pages companies that I believe positions us well for the future.

And while Idearc and R.H. Donnelley’s bankruptcy filings are getting attention, we should remember that other Yellow Pages companies are posting positive financial results and many that are not publicly traded tell us that there is strong demand for our services – even in a very tough economy.

Like I said about Idearc’s filing, I think that R.H. Donnelley will emerge from bankruptcy a stronger company financially, ready to continue its long history of working with small businesses to implement successful marketing strategies.

In fact, I believe that it’s important for all the people who work at R.H. Donnelley – or anyone who works in the Yellow Pages industry – to not let today’s news distract focus from what we do best: deliver qualified sales leads to small- and medium-sized businesses. There’s no doubt it is a tough time. The economy is shaky and local search is changing. Our industry will look different at the end of this transformation. But, as long as we continue to drive large volumes of cost effective sales leads for our customers, and help them be successful, we will be continue to be relevant and financially successful.

May 29, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , , , ,

Idearc’s Vision Highlighted in Financial Times

Friday, April 24, 2009

Our industry has taken a few hits in the media lately, so I was pleased to see that the Financial Times ran a story on Idearc this week covering the company’s vision for the future.

As I blogged earlier, I believe that Idearc’s recent bankruptcy filing presents an opportunity to resolve its debt structuring issues and kick-start the company’s transformation.

The Financial Times presented a similar thought: In the article, Idearc CEO Scott Klein talks about their efforts to rebuild the company as “the ad agency for small businesses” and the success they’ve seen as a result of some fresh thinking – particularly the new “Super Guarantee” and “Super Trade Exchange” programs.

Klein also throws out some interesting thoughts about how the industry might reshape itself in the increasingly crowded local search market – for example, mentioning the opportunity for Yellow Pages to form new ad selling relationships with local newspapers.

Glad to see this perspective covered in the press. If you haven’t read it yet – check it out.

April 24, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , , , , ,

SuperPages.com Launches iPhone App

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Yesterday, SuperPages.com introduced its new SuperPages Mobile℠ iPhone application allowing access to more than 17 million U.S. businesses for people “on-the-go.”

Available as a free download from Apple’s App Store, it allows local searchers to:

  • Submit user reviews – with a “thumbs up” rating system
  • Locate WiFi Hotspots
  • See the five-day weather forecast
  • Get directions
  • Add photos
  • Take advantage of the new SuperGuarantee℠

Early reviews from industry observers and bloggers have been positive.

Greg Sterling said that “…Idearc has done some novel and clever things with its iPhone offering.”

Mike Boland, program director for The Kelsey Group reports that Idearc is consciously making steps to design “products that are fitting to the form factor and don’t just replicate the online yellow pages experience … This includes utilizing the evolving feature sets of devices like the iPhone.”

Applelinks notes that ”Most local search iPhone apps only allow users to read reviews but Superpages.com is one of the few to allow users to submit reviews.”

Boland says that “User generated content will be one of the next big feature integrations for local search app on the iPhone and other mobile devices.”

It sounds like this is just the kind of app that will help Yellow Pages maintain local search leadership in a mobile world, so it would be great to hear from some of you with iPhones – what do you think?

I’m hoping that SuperPages Mobile will be available on my Verizon Blackberry – soon.

Superpages.com iPhone App

April 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Idearc Bankruptcy Filing Signals Fresh Start for Company

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

In a major step to address debt structuring challenges and begin its process of transformation, Idearc voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 this week.

In its March 31 press release, the company announced that its reorganization “plan will enable Idearc to significantly reduce its outstanding debt to a more suitable level upon emergence from the legal proceedings.”  Idearc also said it will operate business as usual throughout its restructuring process.

While “bankruptcy” can seem like an alarming word – and it’s true we’ve seen some Yellow Pages companies post mixed numbers in recent quarters – most of us believe that Idearc will be stronger in the long term for this action. That’s because Idearc’s bankruptcy filing is more of a reflection of its capital structure, and less about the effectiveness of its products and services. There will always be demand for services that connect consumers with businesses.

In fact, other Yellow Pages companies are posting positive financial results and many that are not publicly traded are telling us that there is still very strong demand out there.

When Idearc completes its reorganization, I think it will be well positioned to achieve strong financial results. The company has a new strategy in place and, combined with a more suitable capital structure, should be around for a long time to come.

April 1, 2009 | 7 Comments
Tags: , , , ,

Extending the Local Search Network

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Today’s announcement that AT&T Interactive and Idearc Media have entered into a cross distribution agreement to help businesses increase their online exposure aptly demonstrates the changes taking place in our industry.

The agreement gives YELLOWPAGES.COM and SUPERPAGES.COM advertisers the opportunity for additional online placements on each site. YELLOWPAGES.COM and SUPERPAGES.COM will also have the opportunity to share business profiles and other content from each other’s advertisers — providing consumers access to more comprehensive and relevant information.

This partnership is an example of how Yellow Pages companies are looking for creative ways to take advantage of local search, generate qualified sales leads for small businesses, and provide greater value for advertisers.

It’s also about making it as easy as possible for consumers to find the information they need when they need it. What better way to do that than for these two companies to bring together the full weight of their experience and relationships.

Read AT&T and Idearc’s announcement.

January 22, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , , ,