United Business Media Set to Acquire Leading French Healthcare Media Business

United Business Media Set to Acquire Leading French Healthcare Media Business LONDON, January 18/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Business Media today announced it has submitted a binding offer to acquire medical trade press and other professional healthcare business information services in France, currently owned by MediMedia. The major products and brands - such as Le Quotidien du Medecin and Le Generaliste - occupy leading positions in the French medical press with more than half of total advertising spend directed at general practitioners. These businesses would become part of CMPMedica France, where they would complement the existing major drug directory business, Vidal - with reciprocal promotion and access to advertisers, government and health professionals. There would be scope to expand the major brands into customised services and content-based marketing. UBM acquired CMPMedica during 2004. The purchase price is EUR36 million in cash, and the completion of the transaction is subject to satisfactory completion of the contract and related conditions. In 2004 the business generated approximately EUR60m of turnover and EUR6m of profit before tax. The proposed acquisition should increase earnings by more than 2% in its first twelve months. UBM CEO, Clive Hollick said "These leading French medical newspapers will enhance the strong position we have in French healthcare through Vidal, the major drug directory business. Healthcare is now the largest sector served by United Business Media and prospects for growth in the 23 markets we cover, and in the increasing range of products we offer, are most promising." Additional UBM information update in relation to disposals in 2000 United received a settlement payment of GBP32 million from Granada in relation to outstanding items following the 2000 disposals. Notes to Editors: Trade Press The three main titles are the pre-eminent daily doctors' paper, Quotidien du Medecin, a weekly, Le Generaliste, and a bi-weekly for pharmacists, Quotidien du Pharmacien. Together, the doctors' titles held a 54% share of the advertising market in 2003. In 2004 Quotidien du Pharmacien took the leading position in its market. Trade shows This division contains a biennial hospital trade show, Hopital Expo, and the major annual doctors' conference and exhibition, Medec. CMPMedica, a leading provider of healthcare information, communication and services, is an international company with a reputation for the quality and innovation of its products. United Business Media acquired CMPMedica on 30th July 2004 - details are on the UBM website at www.unitedbusinessmedia.com United Business Media plc (http://www.unitedbusinessmedia.com) is a leading provider of business information services to the technology, healthcare, media, automotive, financial services and property industries. UBM offers services in news distribution, market research, publishing and events to customers across the globe. Its brands include PR Newswire, the world's leading corporate news distribution service; NOP World, one of the largest market research groups globally; and CMP, the B2B media and exhibition group operating in high tech, healthcare, property, entertainment, jewellery & fashion in the US, UK, Asia and Europe. This press release includes statements which are not historical facts and are considered "forward-looking" within the meaning of Section 27 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These forward-looking statements reflect UBM's current views about future events, business and growth strategy and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as "believe," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "on target" and similar expressions identifying forward-looking statements. Investors should not rely on forward-looking statements because they are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from UBM's expectations. UBM expressly does not undertake any duty to update forward-looking statements. Management does not attempt to update forecasts unless conditions materially change. Source: United Business Media Plc For further information, please contact: Michael Waring, United Business Media +44(0)20-7921-5031, Colin Browne, The Maitland Consultancy +44(0)7733-103800 ------- Profile: International Entertainment