• August 13, 2003

The Yellow Pages Integrated Media Association's board of directors has tapped Negley Norton as its new president. Norton, who boasts more than 20 years of Yellow Pages experience, assumes the new role on August 18. Norton has been charged with maintaining high awareness of the Yellow Pages at a time when companies have more options than ever before for their marketing dollars. Given the breadth of the directory space - between its traditional print and online arms, it is a $14 billion business - Norton's role is likely to be one part politician, one part salesperson and one part cheerleader. "My focus at Yellow Pages I.M.A. will be to continue to connect buyers with sellers, from small businesses to national advertisers, and to increase association membership and support services," he said in a press release. Prior to joining YPIMA, Norton was vice president, business development at Loyaltyworks and vice president, strategic accounts at Telephia. He served from 1997 to 2000 as vice president, national marketing for the Yellow Pages Publishers Association (YPIMA's predecessor) and is crediting with launching the association's first direct sales effort.