BigBook Direct Partners With InfoSpace, WorldPages/Web YP

BigBook Direct signed alliances with directory firms InfoSpace.com and WorldPages/WebYP Inc.

InfoSpace said it will make its services and technology available to the BigBook Direct customer base. WorldPages/WebYP said it will host a co-branded flagship directory on BigBook Direct’s Web site.

The new Web site will feature listings for all of BigBook’s customers and utilize WorldPages’ technology to provide keyword and geographic searchability along with interactive mapping, the firms stated.

The site will feature 112 million U.S. and Canadian white and yellow pages listings including mapping, 800 numbers, 9 million email addresses, 30 million URLs and links to over 200 directories worldwide, the companies said.

The new partnership with InfoSpace will give the company’s Web site customers listings in the InfoSpace.com directory. InfoSpace will also make a co-branded version of its directory available on the BigBook Direct Web site. Financial terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

San Francisco-based BigBook Direct, founded in 1995, helped pioneer online Yellow Pages services and is a leader in Web site development. During 1998, the company refocused itself as an Internet marketing company selling Internet services and high technology products into the Small Business, SOHO (Small Office Home Office) and personal use markets.

“BigBook Direct is a leader in the marketing of Web sites and WorldPages is the leading independent Internet directory hosting more than 60,000 Web sites already,” said Rick Klein, president of WebYP/WorldPages. “The partnership is a very natural one for both companies and we look to extend our cooperation together going forward.”

“InfoSpace is continuously expanding its distribution and we are delighted to be adding the BigBook Direct customer base, not only to reach their current customers but because of their growth potential,” said Naveen Jain, president and CEO of InfoSpace.