JT has reached an agreement to sell its directory advertising portfolio to Yabsta Limited for an undisclosed sum, subject to regulatory approval. Yabsta is a printed and digital directory specialist, registered in Guernsey, who already partners with JT to provide the current online platform for existing directory services.
Existing directory advertising customers will see little change, with Yabsta and JT working in partnership to ensure the reliable and accurate service continues to local businesses and the public. Yabsta will also continue to provide the current online, and in print, directory services which are well used by many thousands of islanders.
Customers will however benefit from a range of exciting new digital services being offered, such as website design, social media and video marketing to enhance the local offer. With a hugely successful Bermuda Yellow Pages business, Yabsta is recognised as one of the global specialists in this field, bringing considerable experience and expertise in online information services.
Lloyd Foley, Head of Advertising Services for JT, commented: “We’re really excited about this agreement with Yabsta, and the opportunities it will open up for local digital information services.
“JT has been providing directory information in Jersey for over 50 years. As technology develops, managing directory information is requiring greater specialist attention, Yabsta already play a huge part in the compilation of the island’s directory and will develop it further as we enter a new era.
“While much of the future innovation is in the online directory, the print directory still has a very loyal following, and is trusted by thousands of islanders as an important point of reference. The key to its success is not the format, it is the accessibility of comprehensive listings and accurate data. Yabsta understand this and will continue to print our much-loved directory for years to come.
Gary Taylor, General Manager of Yabsta added: “We’re looking forward to building on a very successful and longstanding partnership with JT, to offer innovative directory services to islanders. Commercial advertising customers will see no change to their existing relationships. However, directory customers will see us bringing our already extensive expertise in offering services across the world, to ensure Channel Islanders remain very well informed in whichever way they choose to access our directories.”