• August 1, 2000

People across the country soon will get to know the Verizon name as the result of an intense branding campaign for the new company that starts today. Verizon Communications - the national telecommunications company formed by the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE - will begin an advertising campaign telling customers and the general public that the merged company's new name is Verizon (pronounced vur-EYE-zon). At the same time, the company will begin a 12-to-18-month effort to change the name and logo on monthly bills, vehicles, buildings, marketing brochures, pay phones, websites - virtually everywhere the Bell Atlantic and GTE names are currently seen. And, customers who call Verizon's business offices and service centers that day also will be greeted with the Verizon name. James Earl Jones, who served as the spokesperson for Bell Atlantic, will greet callers to Verizon's national directory assistance.