Bowker Acquires BML

Bowker expands its global research presence with addition of UK's leading provider of book business intelligence

NEW PROVIDENCE, New Jersey, February 4 - Bowker, the global leader in bibliographic information management
solutions, is expanding its ability to provide business intelligence to the
global publishing market with the acquisition of BML (Book Marketing) from
Publishing News Ltd. BML is the leading provider of market research on the UK
book market and is best known for its Books & Consumers survey and BookZone
Research Panel. The company will become part of Bowker's Publishing Services
division.

"BML is a great strategic fit in our Business Intelligence Division as we
grow our footprint in the international market," said Kelly Gallagher, Bowker
Vice President, Publishing Services. "BML has a strong tradition of serving
the UK market with reliable and actionable consumer information and we look
forward to not only continuing this work, but developing and enhancing the
range of services BML offers."

BML, based in London, has been providing research and information to the
UK book industry for 20 years. The company's services are employed by the
UK's leading publishers and retailers and play a central role in providing
the industry with ongoing consumer panel research and customized ad-hoc
consultancy. As part of Bowker Publishing Services, it will continue to offer
full market research service to its clients, which run the gamut from
individual publishers and book retailers to syndicates, trade associations,
arts organizations and government agencies. It will also maintain its role
leading the Book Marketing Society, a premier membership organization of book
marketers.

Bowker's Publishing Services runs a comparable consumer information
service in the US called PubTrack Consumer, which has fast become the
publishing industry's exclusive resource for understanding consumer book
buying behavior. Launched in 2007, PubTrack Consumer is an ongoing panel of
consumer-based research encompassing feedback from more than 40,000 book
consumers annually. PubTrack also provides advanced cover review services,
standard and custom reports as well as special studies - including a recent
partnership with the Book Industry Study Group on a landmark e-Book Consumer
Study.

"I'm delighted that BML has found a new and congenial home. We have
enjoyed working with Bowker Publishing Services on a number of projects
recently and look forward to working more closely with them as we develop and
enhance the range of services we offer," said Jo Henry, Managing Director for
BML.

Mark Newman, son of PNL's founder, the late Fred Newman said "We are
pleased to have found a good home for the BML business and its employees by
assuring their future as part of the Bowker group. The sale of the BML
business to Bowker is part of an ongoing programme of licensing and
divestment by Publishing News. We will now be seeking to license the renowned
and highly respected consumer British Book Awards 'The Nibbies.'"

BML's entire staff including Jo Henry (jo@bookmarketing.co.uk), Steve
Bohme (steve@bookmarketing.co.uk) and Rachel Levin (Rachel@bookmarketing.co.uk)
will move on February 8 to Bowker's London office located at:

    St Andrews House
    18 - 20 St Andrew Street
    London
    EC4A 3AG
    United Kingdom
    +44-207-832-1770

No interruption in business is expected during the transition. In fact,
the company's eagerly anticipated annual Books & Consumers Conference will
take place 16th March 2010.

Publishing News is the owner of the British Book Awards. For information
about these awards or other Publishing News matters, please contact Mark
Newman on 01252 861861 or mark.newman@morphix.com. To learn more about
Bowker, visit www.bowker.com.

About Publishing Services

Publishing Services, a division of Bowker, is comprised of Supply Chain
and Business Intelligence tools providing publishers, wholesalers,
distributors, retailers, and corporations with complete business intelligence
and E-commerce solutions across the publishing life cycle. Through the
business analytics and services we provide, our customers can make more
informative strategic decisions about their business and more efficiently
manage their supply chain.

About Bowker

Bowker is the world's leading provider of bibliographic information
management solutions designed to help publishers, booksellers, and libraries
better serve their customers. The company is focused on developing various
tools and products that make books easier for people to discover, evaluate,
order, and experience, as well as providing services to publishers that help
them better understand and meet the interests of readers worldwide. Bowker is
a member of the ProQuest family of companies and is headquartered in New
Providence, N.J., with additional operations in England and Australia. For
more information, please visit www.bowker.com

Beth Dempsey, for Bowker, +1-248-349-7810, beth.dempsey at proquest.com