LONDON, March 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Business Media today
announced that it has completed the acquisition of the medical trade press
and other professional healthcare business information services in France,
bought from 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. The initial agreement to acquire this business was
announced on 18th January 2005.
    These businesses will become part of CMPMedica France, where they will
complement the existing major drug directory business, Vidal - with
reciprocal promotion and access to advertisers, government and health
professionals. There is 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.
    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 http://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.

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