AT&T Next to Launch Daily Deal Site

The Wall Street Journal reported this week that AT&T Interactive will join the growing list of directory companies to launch a daily deal site. AT&T Interactive CEO David Krantz told The Journal that he believes AT&T could be “fast followers” and that there is still ample opportunity in the daily deals space, initially popularized by Chicago-based Groupon. AT&T plans to offer a daily deal in each of its local markets. AT&T is reportedly developing the service with the help of a third party it has not disclosed.

Once it launches, AT&T will join Yellowbook, Yellow Pages Group (Canada), PagesJaunes, Direct West and Sensis on the list of Yellow Pages companies with group buying products. Directory publishers see group buying as an opportunity to increase sales volume, sell off cycle and appeal to businesses that are not core Yellow Pages advertisers, like specialty retail, higher end personal services and dining establishments.