One thing to remember - search engines do not like the directories too much. Since it became webmasters tool to SEO their sites, the benefit it has for your site is lower than normal to think

Search engines do not "like" or "dislike" directories they are simply a website like any other website.

It's simply that the vast majority of directories are simply self-placed, self-serving links by site owners or promoters and as such have little or no value as a vote or recommendation for a page/site, so the search engines treat them as such.

Online advertising account carriers, Google, Yahoo, Live, and Facebook accept the high hand over traditional directory and yellow pages publishers. Directories, and local search properties cannot muster enough audience to build a acute advertising alternative, even on a local media level.