YP To Spinoff Print Yellow Pages Business, Stay Focused On Digital

Though dividing into two companies, both will share a common sales force. YP-branded local yellow pages will continue to be distributed.

Danny Sullivan on June 23, 2015

YP, which provides both local business listings online and in print, is spinning off its print business into a new company called “Print Media LLC.” YP will remain focused on digital.

The new Print Media company will continue to distribute 90 million YP-branded yellow pages in the United States. YP will continue to sell online business listings and online marketing services. In addition, the two companies will continue to work closely together and share a YP-led sales team, which will sell for the print business.

From today’s press release announcing the move:

We believe that the separation of the print directory business from YP will drive benefits for our consumers who rely on the print directory to connect with local businesses, and for YP’s customers that advertise across multiple platforms to grow their businesses.

With distinct leadership, Print Media will be best positioned to focus on ‘best in class’ print advertising solutions through dynamic enhancements in our print directory product, unique investments in related print medium and a more focused strategy,” said new Print Media CEO Jack Freker.

YP has been busy over the past few months building up its digital offerings, continuing moves made last year to better compete with Google and Yelp in the local space. Some related stories on our Search Engine Land sister site cover this:

The conscious uncoupling of the two companies is planned to be legal by June 30 of this month.

About The Author

Danny Sullivan

Danny Sullivan is a Founding Editor of Marketing Land. He’s a widely cited authority on search engines and search marketing issues who has covered the space since 1996. Danny also serves as Chief Content Officer for Third Door Media, which publishes Marketing Land and produces the SMX: Search Marketing Expo conference series. He has a personal blog called Daggle (and keeps his disclosures page there). He can be found on Facebook, Google + and microblogs on Twitter as @dannysullivan.