An apparatus, method, and system are directed to managing a multi-modal
communication over a network. In one embodiment, the method, apparatus,
and system employ an instant messaging client to perform actions. The
actions may include receiving contact information associated with a
plurality of communication mediums. The contact information includes
contact names and addresses that are integrated into a unified contact
store. When a user inputs a character for use in initiating a
communication, a dynamic search is performed on the unified contact
store. The results of the search may be repeatedly updated based on
additional input characters. The results display contact names and
addresses, where either the contact name or address includes the input
character(s). The user may then select an address, and automatically
initiate a communication with a contact name associated with the selected
address over a communication medium associated with the address.