WRITTEN ON November 3rd, 2009 BY peter AND STORED IN directory distribution

Tags: BT, directory distribution, the Phone Book

Here’s the text of a press release we have just issued:

Door drop marketing company LinkDirect has clinched a major new contract with BT which will see the Birkenhead-based company deliver 42 million copies of The Phone Book over the next three years.

LinkDirect beat off competition from a number of rivals to land the multi-million pound deal, which means it now delivers the directory in 106 of BT’s 168 distribution areas nationwide.

In terms of directory editions delivered, the contract makes LinkDirect the largest distributor in the UK. Previously BT had handed the company a 12-directory contract in 2004, increasing that to 30 directories in 2007.

Peter Rand, Operations Director, said: “This is a hugely important contract for the whole company and proves the value of building a relationship with a customer over time.

“That BT has decided to invest so much of its directory business with us is a huge testament not only to our staff, but also our ability to combine reliability and accuracy with an innovative approach to technology.”

Tim Dyke, BT Head of Production & Distribution, said: “This contract cements the excellent relationship we have built up with LinkDirect over the last few years. The Phone Book has a very demanding Service Level Agreement and LinkDirect’s accountability, targeting ability and service levels persuaded us that they were the ideal partner for us.”

LinkDirect, which has built its reputation primarily as a leaflet and free newspaper distribution business, has rapidly expanded its print directory business in recent years.

Chris Roxburgh, Managing Director, said: “Our directory division has been a genuine success story of the last few years and this is the icing on the cake. We’ve invested heavily in technology to drive up accountability and accuracy and this contract proves that effort has been worth every penny.”

Now with 26 staff at its Merseyside headquarters, LinkDirect also works with clients ranging from major UK retailers and advertisers through to central and local government, plus directory and newspaper publishers.