Conquest Business Media Names John Blatnik as Executive Vice President as Company Enters New Growth Phase

BEVERLY, Mass.--Dec. 6, 2005--Conquest Business Media, publisher of the award-winning magazine The Manufacturer, has named John Blatnik as executive vice president. In this role he will lead the company's North American operations.

"We're very pleased to have someone of John's deep experience to join the management team, as we continue to extend our reach throughout North America," said Glen White, chief executive officer of Conquest Business Media. "With John's industry, publishing and operational leadership, we expect to continue strong growth and expand in providing our clients the platforms for sharing best practices in world class manufacturing."

Blatnik has 27 years of publishing and media experience. He joins Conquest Business Media from Putnam Media, Reed Business Inc. and Vance Publishing where he successfully launched new products, and pioneered and directed new custom media business divisions. He has developed and implemented marketing and business development strategy, and led numerous sales teams, with resulting increases in performance across key areas.

Conquest Business Media is a publishing-led media company and offers a broad platform of media products, magazines, research, events, websites and online programs. The flagship brand, The Manufacturer, addresses manufacturing issues and challenges through a framework called the seven pillars of manufacturing wisdom: strategy and leadership, world class manufacturing, design and innovation, skills and HR, logistics and supply chain, IT and infrastructure, and manufacturing operations.

About The Manufacturer

The Manufacturer is a magazine with a mission to promote best practices in manufacturing. As manufacturers increasingly strive to become world class through the adoption of lean manufacturing techniques, The Manufacturer shares their story so that others can learn to be lean. Through contacts with academia, government and top business thinkers, The Manufacturer is at the forefront of thought leadership in the manufacturing sector, helping to drive innovation and change. For more information, please visit http://www.themanufacturer.com or call Mary LaSelva, 978.299.1159.