Strengthens Thomson Financial Product Offering to Corporate and Investment
Management Communities
STAMFORD, Conn., Jan. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - The Thomson Corporation
(TSX: TOC; NYSE: TOC) and privately held CCBN, Inc. (Corporate Communications
Broadcast Network), today announced that they have signed a definitive
agreement under which Thomson will acquire CCBN. Financial terms of the
transaction were not disclosed. Thomson currently owns ten percent of CCBN.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020227/NYW014LOGO )
Boston-based CCBN provides web-based solutions for the investment
community, offering services to enhance the way companies communicate and meet
disclosure requirements, and assists investors in managing and leveraging this
information. CCBN's investor relations website hosting, webcasting, and
disclosure services are utilized by corporate communications professionals at
more than 3,000 companies to deliver information via interactive and multi-
media solutions. CCBN's StreetEvents service offers institutional and
individual investors a one-stop solution for managing corporate disclosure
information by aggregating conference calls, webcasts, transcripts, call
summaries, and other financial information into a single application
subscribed to by more than 15,000 investment professionals.
"The acquisition of CCBN is squarely in line with Thomson Financial's
strategic focus on providing comprehensive analytical and workflow products,
technology and distribution services to the securities industry," said Sharon
Rowlands, president and chief operating officer, Thomson Financial. "In
recent years, the demand for corporate information by the institutional
investment community has increased dramatically. CCBN's robust corporate
content and analysis will enhance the broad array of research products already
offered by Thomson Financial, allowing us to provide our customers with
advanced research solutions, while expanding into new segments of the
corporate communications market. Similar to Thomson, CCBN has a strong track
record of innovation and customer service, as well as a sales-oriented
culture, which will be invaluable as we further develop the next generation of
information solutions."
"We are delighted to have reached this agreement with Thomson, and are
excited about the world-class content, analytical tools and innovative product
solutions this transaction will bring to customers of both companies," said
Jeffrey P. Parker, chairman and chief executive officer of CCBN. "Thomson
Financial's infrastructure and product line are highly complementary to our
existing offerings, and will help continue CCBN's mission of improving
communications between public companies and the investment community. I am
confident that CCBN's valued employees and creative spirit will thrive as part
of Thomson."
This transaction is subject to customary regulatory and closing
conditions, including the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-
Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.
About The Thomson Corporation
The Thomson Corporation (http://www.thomson.com), with 2002 revenues from
continuing operations of $7.5 billion, is a global leader in providing
integrated information solutions to business and professional customers.
Thomson provides value-added information, software tools and applications to
more than 20 million users in the fields of law, tax, accounting, financial
services, higher education, reference information, corporate training and
assessment, scientific research and healthcare. With operational headquarters
in Stamford, Conn., Thomson has approximately 43,000 employees and provides
services in approximately 130 countries. The Corporation's common shares are
listed on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges (TSX: TOC; NYSE: TOC).
About CCBN
CCBN (Corporate Communications Broadcast Network) is an entrepreneurial
success story in the rapidly growing industry of Internet-based corporate
communications. CCBN was co-founded by Rob Adler and Jeff Parker, founder of
First Call and former CEO of Thomson Financial. Today, CCBN is a leading
provider of web-based solutions for the investment community, offering
services that transform the way companies communicate and meet disclosure
requirements while assisting investors in managing and leveraging this
information. CCBN's investor relations Web site hosting, webcasting, and
disclosure services are utilized by corporate communications professionals at
over 3,000 companies to deliver critical information via interactive and
multi-media solutions. CCBN's StreetEvents service offers institutional and
individual investors a one-stop solution for managing corporate disclosure
information by aggregating conference calls, webcasts, transcripts, call
summaries, and other financial information into a time-saving, efficiency tool
subscribed to by over 15,000 Wall Street professionals. Headquartered in
Boston, MA, CCBN has additional offices in San Francisco and London. For more
information, please visit http://www.ccbn.com.
This news release includes forward-looking statements, which are based on
certain assumptions and reflect the Corporation's current expectations. These
forward-looking statements, such as the Corporation's expectations regarding
the effect of the proposed acquisition, are subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially
from current expectations. The Corporation can give no assurance that the
proposed acquisition will be completed. Some of the factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from current expectations are discussed in
the Corporation's materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities
in Canada and the United States from time to time, including the Corporation's
annual information form, which is contained in its annual report on Form 40-F
for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed with the SEC. These risks include
those associated with the ability of Thomson to fully derive anticipated
benefits from its acquisitions. Thomson disclaims any intention or obligation
to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
Investor Contact:
John Kechejian
Vice President, Investor Relations
The Thomson Corporation
(203) 328-9470
john.kechejian@thomson.com
Media Contacts:
Allison Hagan
Vice President, Public Relations
Thomson Financial
(646) 822-2076
allison.hagan@thomson.com
Jason Stewart
Director, Public Relations
The Thomson Corporation
(203) 328-8339
jason.stewart@thomson.com
SOURCE Thomson Corporation
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.thomson.com
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020227/NYW014LOGO
CONTACT:
Investors - John Kechejian, Vice President,
Investor Relations, The Thomson Corporation, +1-203-328-9470,
john.kechejian@thomson.com; or Media - Allison Hagan, Vice
President, Public Relations, Thomson Financial, +1-646-822-2076,
allison.hagan@thomson.com; or Jason Stewart, Director, Public
Relations, The Thomson Corporation, +1-203-328-8339,
jason.stewart@thomson.com
|
