Verizon Leaves Bates

Bates Southwest has lost its Southcentral Verizon Wireless account in a wide-ranging reorganization that has reduced retail territories, shifted regional accounts and shaved a number of agencies off its roster, sources said.

Incumbents were forced to re-submit credentials last month for business that was won just a year ago, when the newly formed Verizon Wireless let the agencies of predecessor companies Bell Atlantic and Vodaphone vie for the largest wireless provider in the nation.

A Verizon Wireless representative confirmed the reorganization of the company from seven into four territories, but declined to comment on the agency relationships.

Industry sources, however, confirmed a number of agency moves.