UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
8-K
Pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of
Report (Date of earliest event reported):
CenturyTel,
Inc.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Louisiana
(State
or other jurisdiction of
incorporation
or organization)
|
1-7784
|
72-0651161
(I.R.S.
Employer
Identification
No.)
|
100
CenturyTel Drive, Monroe, Louisiana 71203
(Address
of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's
telephone number, including area code: (318) 388-9000
Check the
appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
provisions:
[
]
|
Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
230.425)
|
[
]
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Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.
14a-12)
|
[
]
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Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14d-2(b))
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[
]
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Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.13e-4(c))
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Item
8.01 Other
Events
On June
2, 2009, CenturyTel, Inc. and Embarq Corporation announced the
selection of CenturyLink as the name of their combined company.
Please
see the accompanying press release included as Exhibit 99.1 concerning this
announcement.
Item
9.01. Financial Statements and
Exhibits.
99.1
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Press release
dated June 2, 2009 announcing name and logo of combined
company.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto
duly authorized.
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CENTURYTEL,
INC.
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Dated: June
4, 2009
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/s/
Neil A. Sweasy
|
|
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Neil
A. Sweasy
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|
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Vice
President and Controller
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Exhibit
99.1
For
Immediate Release
Contacts:
For
CenturyTel
Analysts
& Investors
Tony
Davis
318-388-9525
tony.davis@centurytel.com
Media
Annmarie
Sartor
318-388-9671
annmarie.sartor@centurytel.com
|
For
EMBARQ
Analysts
& Investors
Kevin
Olin
866-591-1964
investorrelations@embarq.com
Media
Debra
Peterson
913-323-4881
Debra.D.Peterson@embarq.com
|
CenturyTel
and EMBARQ announce name and logo of combined company
Legacy
brands to be used during transitional period
MONROE,
La. and OVERLAND PARK, Kan., June 2, 2009 -- CenturyTel, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) and
EMBARQ Corporation (NYSE: EQ) today announce the selection of CenturyLink as the
name of their combined company.
The
company will begin operating under the corporate name CenturyLink immediately
upon the closing of the transaction. CenturyLink expects to trade on
the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CTL, the current symbol of
CenturyTel, Inc. and will be found on the Internet at
www.centurylink.com.
“Our new
brand name was selected because our customers and employees told us it reflected
a company that is forward-looking and committed to linking the country
together,” said Glen F. Post III, who will be chief executive officer of
CenturyLink.
“CenturyLink
is a company that embodies the idea of ‘moving forward’—helping its customers
and employees enjoy the benefit of the latest technologies and excellent
customer service through the company’s determination, accessibility and value
delivery,” Post said.
Full
deployment of the brand is expected to occur in the months following
closing. As markets are converted to the new brand, customers will
receive advance notification and CenturyLink will begin to appear on building
signage, company vehicles and marketing materials.
To
support the new name, Post added that a new logo had been selected to represent
the power of connecting people and businesses to each other and to new
opportunities, both locally and nationally.
The
closing of the merger of the two companies remains subject to the required and
pending federal regulatory approval.
Monigle
Associates, a brand consulting agency based in Denver, Colo., was a key partner
in the development of the brand strategy, name and logo.
About
CenturyTel
CenturyTel
(NYSE: CTL) is a leading provider of communications, high-speed Internet and
entertainment services in small-to-mid-size cities through our broadband and
fiber transport networks. Included in the S&P 500 Index, CenturyTel delivers
advanced communications with a personal touch to customers in 25 states. Visit
us at www.centurytel.com.
About
EMBARQ
Embarq
Corporation (NYSE: EQ), headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, offers a
complete suite of communications services. EMBARQ has operations in 18 states
and is in the Fortune 500(R) list of America's largest corporations. For
consumers, EMBARQ offers an innovative portfolio of services that includes
reliable local and long distance home phone service, high-speed Internet,
wireless, and satellite TV from DISH Network(R) -- all on one monthly bill. For
businesses, EMBARQ has a comprehensive range of flexible and integrated services
designed to help businesses of all sizes be more productive and communicate with
their customers. This service portfolio includes local voice and data services,
long distance, Business Class High Speed Internet, wireless, satellite TV from
DIRECTV(R), enhanced data network services, voice and data communication
equipment and managed network services. For more information, visit
embarq.com.
Forward
Looking Statements
Except
for the historical and factual information contained herein, the matters set
forth in this press release, including statements as to the expected benefits of
the acquisition such as efficiencies, cost savings, enhanced revenues, growth
potential, market profile and financial strength, and the competitive ability
and position of the combined company, and other statements identified by words
such as "estimates," "expects," "projects," "plans," and similar expressions are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking
statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results
to differ materially, including receipt of required approvals by regulatory
agencies, the possibility that the anticipated benefits from the acquisition
cannot be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected, the
possibility that costs or difficulties related to the integration of EMBARQ
operations into CenturyTel will be greater than expected, the ability of the
combined company to retain and hire key personnel, the impact of regulatory,
competitive and technological changes and other risk factors relating to our
industry as detailed from time to time in each of CenturyTel's and EMBARQ's
reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). There can be no
assurance regarding the timing of the consummation of the merger or that the
proposed acquisition will in fact be consummated. You should not place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date
hereof. Unless legally required, CenturyTel and EMBARQ undertake no obligation
to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.