Thomson Local in effort to lure more advertisers

Thomson Local is launching two initiatives to encourage potential advertisers to its print business telephone directory.

It is planning for the first time to give advertisers the opportunity to include coupons in the print directory. The service will initially be available from 24 July in its Eastbourne, Sutton Coldfield and Weston-super-Mare editions, after which it is expected to roll out to other areas.

Rival Yell introduced the inclusion of coupons in its print directories in August last year.

Thomson Local is also launching an initiative offering advertisers the opportunity to take up the “headline sponsorship” of a particular section in the directory. For example, a high-profile chain of opticians could sponsor the health section, having its brand name and logo printed around the heading and edge of the page.