The Internet is not just killing printed encyclopedias, it’s got the American Icon of the Yellow Pages on life support
AT&T didn’t quite have the trademarks squared away on the Fingers Walking through the Yellow Pages, so over the years a number of “fake” Yellow Pages showed up, forcing advertisers to pay out money to multiple competing advertising services, not even sure if the AT&T “alternative yellow pages” was even real.
Two events happened this week – AT&T decided to get out of the business, selling its majority state to Cerberus Capital for $500 million in cash and a $200 million note and a minority interest in the company if Cerberus turns the company around. AT&T this week is failing to reach an agreement with its unionized workers, which may well be related to this move. If Cerberus sounds familiar, it was the company that tried to “Save” Chrysler. Former Vice President Dan Quayle is in senior management of the company.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Media Group, which published one of those alternate yellow pages in the New York City area has filed for liquidation under Chapter 7
http://www.nasdaq.com/article/update-ambassador-media-group-files-for-chapter-7-bankruptcy-20120409-00831
There is like three of those pseudo yellow pages laying around here, worthless, except for propping up a monitor. Mis-spelled or the business you are looking for is not even there. So many local business’s have went out of business, since the economy is recovering so well(Biden) very little use for it.
Oh well
Parrott
I remember in the Good Ol’ days ( mid 60s to early 70s) when the Yellow Pages book was printed in San Francisco off Third St. and the building was appox. two blocks long, it ran along the channel where PacBell park now stands. And the hundred’s of Yellow printing paper rolls that filled the building, and the huge press’s Our company kept the building filled with the rolls of paper. Once that was gone, it was just a matter of time before all the faux Yellow pages came out.
I live in a very small community where the USPS is the focal distribution point for gossip, rumors, and yes the yellow pages. The pallet of yellow pages have been sitting forlorn, abandoned, and unused hoping for a good soul to take one home, but looks as if they will be a good fire starter for the forthcoming bonfires of Spring.
I will miss the hard copy yellow pages because it’s the first place I look when I’m trying to find a successful local “brick & mortar” business. Anyone can throw up a web site that makes it look like you’re successful or have a local presence. Since it costs money to get a yellow pages listing it acts as a filter to keep the pretenders out.
I think more than a few people would keep the yellow pages from prior years. When you needed something, you would call someone from 5 years ago and if they still were in business, then you probably were talking to a good company.
Hey Art: I got a ‘Yellowbook’ in the mail today. It is the eco-friendly smaller size it says. Not very big.
someone is still sending these things out.
Parrott