TMCnet (via PaidContent):
Consolidation struck the online yellow pages business hard and suddenly this morning. SBC and BellSouth created a joint venture that is acquiring YellowPages.com. A source privy to the negotiations told MarketingVOX that the price was close to just under $100 million. YellowPages.com will combine SmartPages.com and RealPages.com together into one massive national directory. The deal is expected to close within days. The new conglomerate will reside in Pasadena, CA and Henderson, NV, taking technology, staff and existing customers from all three existing directory sites. BellSouth and SBC executives have claimed dibs on the most senior management positions.