Yellow Pages Industry Helps Nation Prepare; Directories Provide Ideal Vehicle for Distribution of Important Emergency Preparedness Information

Business Wire, Feb 21, 2003

Business Editors

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 21, 2003

A major group of Yellow Pages publishers, including BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Group, QwestDex, SBC Directory Operations and Verizon Information Services, will support the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in its emergency preparedness campaign. The announcement came as part of the department's launch of a national public service advertising campaign.

The publishers, all members of the Yellow Pages Integrated Media Association(SM) (Yellow Pages I.M.A.(SM)), plan to include special emergency preparedness information in their Yellow Pages directories. Over the coming days, the publishers will work with the Department of Homeland Security to finalize details of the plan.

"Our member publishers are making a significant investment to support this important public service campaign," said Yellow Pages I.M.A.(SM) President and CEO John Greco. "We're pleased to help coordinate their efforts, using our unique medium, which is ideal for this initiative. We reach nearly all Americans with a resource that is accessible to homes and businesses every day of the year.

"The Yellow Pages have always been an excellent source of local information, including emergency information and contact numbers," Greco said. "Now we have the opportunity to help our government provide national information to U.S. citizens to help them prepare in case of an emergency."

"The Yellow Pages are key to the success of this initiative," said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge. "Their involvement will help all Americans in every state from all backgrounds get the information they need to be ready. I appreciate the Yellow Pages' enormous effort."

About the Yellow Pages Integrated Media Association(SM)

Founded in 1988, the Yellow Pages Integrated Media Association(SM) (Yellow Pages I.M.A.(SM)) has been instrumental in leading, serving and growing a U.S. print and electronic media industry valued at more than $14 billion. The Association has members in more than 30 countries and includes 78 Yellow Pages publishers, certified national marketing representatives, various industry suppliers and major Yellow Pages advertisers. For more information, please visit: www.yellowpagesima.org.