Dex Media

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Dex Media, Inc.
Image:Dex Media logo.png
Type Division of RH Donnelley
Founded 2002
Headquarters Centennial, Colorado, USA
Industry Directory Publishing
Products Telephone Directories
Employees 2,700
Website Dex Media
Dex Phone Book

Dex Media, Inc. is the official directory of Qwest Communications International. Formerly QwestDex, US West Dex, US West Direct, Mountain Bell Yellow Pages, Northwestern Bell Yellow Pages, and Pacific Northwest Bell Yellow Pages, it is now a division of RH Donnelley.

Dex Media headquarters are located near Centennial, Colorado, though the postal designation of nearby Englewood is commonly used in the company's mailing address.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] U S West Dex

In 1991, U S West began marketing its telephone services under the one "U S West" name. U S West, in 1996, gave its yellow pages operations a new name, U S West Dex. US West Dex, Inc. became the new name of U S West's publishing company.

[edit] QwestDex

QwestDex logo, 2000-2003

In 2000, Qwest Communications International merged with U S West. As a result, U S West Dex was renamed QwestDex, and U S West Dex, Inc. was renamed QwestDex, Inc. In 2002, Qwest underwent a drastic reorganization, and attempted to fend off the bad service reputation of US West and introduced a new slogan, "Spirit of Service". In an effort to make it more profitable, Qwest searched for a buyer for QwestDex, Inc.

[edit] Dex Media

On August 20, 2002, The Carlyle Group, Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, along with other private investors, led a $7.5 billion buyout of QwestDex. The buyout was the third largest corporate buyout since 1989.

QwestDex's purchase occurred in two stages. In November 2002, directory operations in Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota & South Dakota were acquired for $2.75 billion. These operations were known as Dex Media East LLC. In 2003, directory operations in Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming were acquired for $4.30 billion. These operations became known as Dex Media West LLC.

After completion of the formation of Dex Media, Dex signed a 50-year agreement with Qwest to be the official directory provider to Qwest local telephone customers.

In July 2004, Dex Media went public and began trading on the NYSE under the ticker "DEX".

On October 3, 2005, R.H. Donnelley Corporation announced its intent to acquire Dex Media. RHD's acquisition of Dex was completed on January 31, 2006. The combined company is still R.H. Donnelley Corporation, with headquarters in Cary, North Carolina.

[edit] See also