WHITAKER ASSOCIATES
Washington, DC
24 August 2000

The Operator – a leading industry newsletter published by Whitaker Associates (USA) – selected as an official publication of varetis AG’s 4th annual Directory Forum to be held in Barcelona this September

The Operator, a daily newsletter serving the international directory services industry, has been selected as one of the official publications of the 4th annual Directory Forum to be held in Barcelona, Spain, this September.

The Operator and its electronic companion, The Operator Daily, are leading trade publications owned and published by Whitaker Associates (USA) of Falls Church, Virginia. Together, they provide the most extensive daily coverage of international developments relating to the rapidly-expanding operator and directory service markets. Coverage includes delivering key market information regarding competitive regulatory and technological developments to industry decision-makers.

Worldwide, the directory services industry is undergoing dramatic change, according to Stuart M. Whitaker, publisher of The Operator and president of Whitaker Associates.

"Once considered to be stodgy cost centers of regulated monopolies and/or nationally-run phone companies, directory information services businesses are exploding worldwide," says Whitaker. "Worldwide deregulation and the explosion of Information Age opportunities are driving this incredible expansion."

According to Whitaker, these new profit centers offer vast information opportunities ranging from public directory listings to personal schedules. "More important, in addition to providing profitable revenue streams, these services are fast becoming one of the most important tools for established telecommunication carriers to retain existing customers while attracting new ones."

"We’re honored and delighted to have been selected as an official publication of varetis AG’s fourth annual Directory Forum," notes Whitaker. Sponsored by varetis AG of Munich, Germany, the gathering is recognized as one of the premiere events within the industry.

"Our two publications will provide daily reports on all the latest regulatory, marketing and technology developments covered at the conference, targeting our subscribers and key industry publics worldwide," he concluded.

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