At its recent 2013 Annual Convention and Partners Trade Show in St. Augustine, Florida, the Association of Directory Publishers (ADP) recognized Names & Numbers, as this year’s Gold Book Publisher of the Year at the Gold Book Awards. It was the first time the company has been recognized.
The ADP’s Publisher of the Year recognizes a company that has “exemplified overall excellence and achievement.” Names & Numbers currently publishes 66 phone books throughout the mid-west and northwest areas of the country along with offering a suite of mobile and online Yellow Page products. Established in 1974, currently Names & Numbers publishes more than 4-million phone books annually and employs approximately 250 people in 11 states.
The Gold Book Awards recognize publishers and suppliers for outstanding achievements in the directory advertising business. “Congratulations to all of our 2013 Gold Book Award winners,” said Cindi Aldrich, the new association president. “These winning companies are applauded for their outstanding directory products and marketing innovations in the directory publishing industry.” Additional information about the Gold Book awards can be found on the association website at www.adp.org.
We interviewer Founder/CEO Ken Brock back in 2010 (link to full article), and you will note that many of the things Ken said at that time are still true today and part of the reason why his team has been recognized. He and his team follow a very straight forward approach – put out a very accurate, high quality product that users and advertisers both enjoy using, promote them passionately in the local community, be an integral/active part of the community, and try to walk in the door of every business in the market. The text type in the books is not microscopic in size to save a few pages. White pages are included, as well as a robust community information section. The covers are free of any advertising and feature scenes from local photographers/artists. That’s the formula for being a successful publisher, and being recognized by the publishing community.
Congratulations to the entire Names and Numbers team for your accomplishments.
YP Talk - The Voice of the Yellow Pages Industry 
Wow…A company still committed to print! Glad that not all companies have dumped their directories in the rush to the interment! Best ROI!