AT&T MAKES CHANGES IN THE NEW YEAR
By Adnews Staff
AT&T Long Distance Services has changed its name to AT&T Canada and will enter the local phone market this year in Canada's seven biggest cities. The company will also begin offering Internet and electronic commerce services. Advertising for AT&T is handled by Young & Rubicam of Toronto. The telecommunications company has received an $800 million injection from U.S.-based AT&T Corp. to enter the local telephone market, to complete a new national network and to find a buyer for the majority stake held by three banks. The Royal Bank of Canada, Toronto Dominion Bank and the Bank of Nova Scotia own 67% of AT&T. The money will also help AT&T purchase rival long distance carrier ACC Canada for about $160 million.
In addition, AT&T chief Bill Catucci has retired from his post. He has been replaced by James Meenan, who most recently headed up AT&T's holding company, AT&T Canada Enterprises. Don Morrison has been named executive vice-president of AT&T Canada. Formerly he was president and CEO of ACC TelEnterprises.