GTE Directories announces the introduction of five new Puget Sound area Yellow Pages directories, which were developed based on the input of more than 1,800 local business decision-makers

Business Wire, Feb 2, 1995

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 02, 1995--GTE Directories Corp. recently enlisted the aid of more than 1,800 Seattle-area small business advertising decision-makers in developing five new local telephone directories -- and in making improvements to its six previously existing ones in the north Puget Sound area. With the announced changes, the company will now be offering local businesses extensive Yellow Pages coverage options from South King County north to Skagit County. Distribution of the new The Everything Pages(R) Yellow Pages directories will begin in June 1995.

"The research which is driving the release of the new Seattle area directories is probably unprecedented in our industry in terms of its sophistication and the sheer size of the respondent base within a single metropolitan area," said Doug Knight, regional marketing manager for GTE Directories.

The new directories developed from this research will be: Downtown Seattle; Seattle Metro; SW King County; Downtown Bellevue; and Downtown Everett. Coverage areas will be modified slightly for the following existing directories: Eastside, Enumclaw, Snohomish County (formerly Everett and vicinity), Sno-King (formerly South Snohomish/North King counties), Skagit County and Oak Harbor.

RESEARCH INCLUDES INPUT FROM THOUSANDS OF LOCAL ADVERTISERS

In the research project, information was requested from thousands of local businesses, and comprehensive input was gathered from more than 1,800 respondents regarding preferences for coverage configurations. Careful consideration was given to the unique characteristics of the Puget Sound area's communities and natural boundaries.

"GTE Directories will now offer businesses local and area-wide Yellow Pages coverage throughout the Seattle area," Knight continued. "By listening to local business needs as defined by this research, we are positioning our directory products to better meet customer needs. Winning the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 1994 was only one milestone in our greater effort to deliver 100 percent customer satisfaction."

GTE Directories, based in Dallas/Fort Worth, is one of the world's largest telephone directory companies. It annually publishes or provides sales, consulting and other services relating to 1,200 directory titles throughout the United States and in Canada, Europe, Asia and Latin America, with a total circulation of 56 million.

GTE Directories' other advertising services include ON CALL(R) audiotex and interactive services, QUICK TIPS(R) electronic consumer information and SPECIAL EDITIONS(TM) direct-mail coupon books. The company was named a 1994 winner of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, which recognizes U.S. companies that have outstanding quality management systems. GTE Directories is a unit of Dallas/Fort Worth-based GTE Information Services, a part of GTE Corp., Stamford, Conn.

CONTACT: GTE Northwest Region

Greg Ness, 206/670-6006