CMP Media Inc. Expands Its Services Business With the Launch of Reality Research, Inc.

MANHASSET, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 13, 1998--

Reality Research, Inc. Will Offer Technology Vendors a Host of

Custom Market Research and Consulting Services; 18-Year Industry

Veteran Robin Rather Tapped to Head New Company

CMP Media Inc. today increased its footprint in the technology research and consulting arena with the launch of a new company called Reality Research, Inc. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, with satellite offices in London, New York and San Francisco, Reality Research (http://www.realityresearch.com) will focus on providing technology vendors and users with customized research and consulting services that will help them assess and capitalize on the growing global market for technology products and services. According to CMP Media president and CEO Michael S. Leeds, the formation of the new company is a natural extension to the CMP's offerings and resources, given its depth of knowledge in the technology market. "Reality Research is a key addition and an important part of our overall growth strategy which, in part, calls for better meeting our customers' needs through new venues and synergistic extensions to our existing product mix," Leeds said.

Reality Research, Inc. will be headed by 18-year industry veteran Robin Rather, who will join the new company as president. Rather was previously vice president of research for CMP and prior to that served as an executive with both IntelliQuest and International Data Corporation.

"Reality Research will provide a level of research that goes beyond the actual data," Rather said. "We offer executive-level packaging that delivers strong, actionable conclusions and recommendations that our customers can use to form product strategies. Operating in an environment that's completely independent and separate from CMP's other businesses, we're confident that Reality will be a strong, valuable strategic partner for our customers," she said.

At launch, the company has already inked a significant number of major contracts from leading hardware, software and networking clients. Its first product, "Simultaneous Branding," which tracks forty of the top high-tech brands, has been widely adopted as the dominant benchmark for measuring brand effectiveness in the U.S. An international version of the study is planned for January, 1999. "E-Search", a tracking study designed to analyze worldwide e-business trends will be the company's second product and is scheduled for release in Q1 1999.

In addition to syndicated products, custom research studies will also be conducted. The company offers traditional focus groups and quantitative studies as well as Web-based research methodologies including online panel capabilities which profile technology decision makers in the IT/networking, corporate management, channel target segments.

For the latter, Reality Research, Inc. will work closely with Channel Information Services, CMP's channel consulting service, to leverage its unique expertise in this market.

The launch of Reality Research, Inc. is the latest in a series of launches and acquisitions that expand CMP's capabilities beyond its traditional publishing business. In June the company acquired McGraw-Hill's computer and communications titles and NSTL, an independent technology testing lab. Also in June, CMP formed a Business Forums unit to create regional conferences featuring strong content and an attendee/exhibitor mix that brings together key decision-makers in an environment that is conducive to doing business.

For more information about Reality Research, Inc.'s market research and consulting services, contact Alex Metzger, director of new business development, at [phone] or [e-mail] or visit http://www.realityresearch.com.

CMP Media Inc. (Nasdaq: CMPX) is the only leading high-tech media company that provides essential information and marketing services to the entire technology spectrum--the builders, sellers and users of technology worldwide. With its portfolio of newspapers, magazines, custom publishing, Internet products, research, consulting and conferences, CMP is uniquely positioned to offer marketers comprehensive, integrated solutions tailored to meet their individual needs. Online editions of the company's print publications, along with products and services created exclusively for the Internet, can be found on CMPnet at http://www.CMPnet.com. NSTL, the company's independent testing lab and consulting organization, serves government, corporate and technology vendor clients around the world.