2006 News Releases

11 January

United Business Media acquires MediaLive events for $65m

United Business Media today announced that it has acquired the events assets of MediaLive International, Inc. for a cash consideration of $65 million.

The transaction will add more than 20 IT and telecoms-related events in the US, Japan and Europe, most notably Interop, MediaLive Japan, Voicecon and Web 2.0. to CMP Media’s IT enterprise platform. These assets will be integrated into CMP’s enterprise IT-targeted media suite and are strongly complementary to the audiences served by CMP’s Enterprise Group which includes such brands as InformationWeek, Optimize, Network Computing, and Computer Security Institute. The acquisition will create an enhanced media suite targeted at the IT enterprise market worldwide. In 2006 the MediaLive events are expected to generate revenue of around $40 million.

David Levin, Chief Executive of United Business Media, said:

“The acquisition of MediaLive’s event assets illustrate how UBM is building leading positions in its key markets by adding events that complement its existing product offering, enabling it to better serve its customers. This purchase meets UBM’s 8% post tax cost of capital acquisition business case criteria.”

Steve Weitzner, Chief Executive of CMP Media, said

“The combination of the MediaLive assets with CMP Media’s industry-leading publications, significant online investments and vertical market events will offer technology vendors the most comprehensive marketing solutions available in the industry. With the rapid build-up of additional live and online offerings, we are best positioned to deliver content to our audiences when, where and how they want it - increasing our strategic value to our customers. I am delighted to welcome to CMP Media the experience and expertise of MediaLive’s talented management team as they join us in building the industry’s leading IT B2B publishing business.”

- Ends -

Enquiries

Notes to Editors

1. About MediaLive International, Inc.
MediaLive International Inc. connects companies to the markets they serve through media properties, software tools, and marketing solutions that educate buying communities, deepen relationships between buyers and sellers, and fuel market growth.

MediaLive comprises two businesses, firstly an events business whose assets have been acquired today by UBM Plc, and secondly Wingate Studios an event management software business.

MediaLive’s event assets encompass some of the IT industry's largest and most well-respected exhibitions including Interop, VoiceCon, Next Generation Networks, the Web 2.0 Conference, the Collaboration Technologies Conference, Mobile Business Expo and GTEC.

For further information, please go to www.mlii.com

2. United Business Media
United Business Media operates two main business streams – PR Newswire and CMP.

PR Newswire is the world’s leading corporate news distribution service.

CMP specialises in creating prime print, online and exhibition franchises that bring industry professionals and enthusiasts together to be better informed, meet and do business. CMP is, as a result, at the forefront of the development of many national and global industries.

UBM has a market capitalisation of around £1.8 billion and employs 5,500 people around the world. In 2004, UBM’s turnover was £809 million and operating profit was £132 million. The company is led by David Levin who was appointed Chief Executive in April 2005. Nigel Wilson is Chief Financial Officer and was appointed in 2001.

Download the full release in PDF format (22 KB, opens in a new window)

This page includes links to documents in Portable Document File (PDF) format. To read PDF documents you may need to download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. For PDF accessibility help, visit Access Adobe. These links will open in a new browser window.

• Top of page