United Business Media to Sell UK Automotive Titles

LONDON, June 30 -- United Business Media plc ("UBM") today announced its intention to sell Exchange & Mart and Auto Exchange. This decision is the outcome of a review of UAP's portfolio, following a recent UBM reorganisation. The review determined that these titles would be more valuable to other organisations and therefore that a sale is in the best interests of UBM shareholders, with proceeds to be reinvested in UBM's core businesses.

In 2004, the UAP automotive titles now for sale generated GBP35.8m of revenue, online page impressions on the Exchange & Mart website averaged well over 5 million per month, and Auto Exchange held a 70 per cent share of free pick-up magazines and achieved a 7 per cent growth in ad sales over 2003.

Under the reorganisation in May, responsibility for United Advertising Publications ("UAP"), which includes Exchange & Mart and Auto Exchange, was passed to Bernard Gray, the CEO of CMP Information ("CMPi"). Both CMPi and UAP operate significant classified advertising businesses and the remaining UAP titles will become fully integrated with CMPi's operations - the UAP classified titles include Daltons Weekly, Trade-It, Trader, Private Villas, Opportunities, and the recently acquired Publican.

UBM has appointed Merrill Lynch to conduct the disposal

Bernard Gray, CEO of CMPi, said: "CMPi and UAP both have excellent classified advertising businesses. Exchange & Mart is a particularly strong brand, but one which we believe other organisations are better placed to develop, particularly around the automotive classified sector. We have been approached with regard to these titles, indicating that there is already an encouraging level of interest. The integration of the other UAP titles and businesses into the CMPi fold is now underway and we are excited by the opportunities that have already become apparent."

CMPi

CMP Information is the UK professional media division of United Business Media plc.

Operating in the UK and Europe, CMPi provides creative professional media solutions to around 20 industry sectors. Its products, including magazines, exhibitions, conferences, awards, directories and websites, are targeted at business professionals across a range of markets; these include Building & Property, Medical, Travel, Agriculture and Print.

Amongst its well-established brands are industry-leading publications including, Building, Pulse, Travel Trade Gazette, Farmers Guardian, Music Week and Chemist & Druggist. CMPi also has a number of leading directories, compendiums and information services such as Barbour Index, Building Product Compendium, ABI, Benns Media and The Knowledge. It also has a number of exhibitions recognised as the pre-eminent events in their respective market sectors. These include CPhI, The Interiors Event, IFSEC and Food Ingredients Europe.

CMPi's magazines reach over 660,000 readers directly through subscription and controlled circulation. CMPi has a significant classified advertising business and all of its 40 magazines carry classified sections, most notably those with a strong presence in their markets, such as Building, Building Design, Farmers Guardian and Printing World. Each year, over 330,000 business professionals and marketers visit its exhibitions each year. In 2004 CMPi delivered revenue of GBP159.3 million and an operating profit of GBP21.1m.

UAP

From 22 locations around the UK UAP produces magazines and websites serving a diverse range of trading markets. UAP prints almost 1,000,000 magazines a week - all designed to help businesses and individuals to buy and sell products and services. UAP's magazines are distributed through newsagents, by post and through free pick up in supermarkets and petrol stations - a distribution process pioneered by Auto Exchange magazine.

UAP's magazines and websites are dedicated primarily to publishing advertisements but also have editorial. Almost every commercial aspect of business and private life is covered; from Trade-It's local readers in Bristol selling anything domestic (including the kitchen sink!) to international transactions such as selling a complete business via the internet from Daltonsbusiness.com. And, there are the thousands of cars advertised for sale each week in Exchange & Mart. In 2004 UAP generated revenue of GBP58.5m and an operating profit of GBP13.2m.

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, publishing and events to customers across the globe. Its brands include PR Newswire, the world's leading corporate news distribution service and CMP, the B2B media and exhibition group operating in high tech, healthcare, property, entertainment, jewellery & fashion in the US, UK, Asia and Europe.

Michael Waring, United Business Media, +44-207-921-5031. Colin Browne, The Maitland Consultancy, +44-207-379-5151. Bob Wigley, Merrill Lynch, +44-207-995-2194. Richard Taylor, Merrill Lynch, +44-207-995-2052. Kevin J. Smith, Merrill Lynch, +44-207-995-3356