CMP Media to Launch CRN Enterprise Partner For Systems Integrators Selling to Large Organizations.

MANHASSET, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 20, 1998--This fall CMP Media Inc. (Nasdaq: CMPX) will launch CRN Enterprise Partner, a newspaper supplement for systems integrators that service the enterprise market. The new supplement, targeting integrators who work primarily with Fortune 1000 companies and other large organizations, will be the first to address the collaborative purchase process that has developed between integrators and these organizations.

"The information-technology requirements of large enterprises are unique," said Kevin Mannion, publishing director of Computer Reseller News who also will head up CRN Enterprise Partner. "Industry research demonstrates the increasing importance of enterprise relationships with the channel and our own research among systems integrators points to an editorial void in this area. CRN Enterprise Partner will fill the gap for integrators whose success is based on collaborations with large enterprises," he said.

Broad-based research indicates increased enterprise dependence on systems integrators. A Dataquest study shows that companies are increasingly turning to the outside for information-technology (IT) expertise, allowing them to build competencies quickly, gain access to scarce technical expertise and reduce their internal staffs. Dataquest estimates that the channel will handle more than three-quarters of the $218 billion to be spent on technology products and services by the year 2000. Additionally, research conducted by Interbrand, Inc., found that more than 63 percent of technology brand determinations for the large enterprise are made by the channel or in collaboration with the channel.

In discussing the latest addition to CMP's editorial line-up, John Russell, vice president/group publisher of CMP's Channel Group, said, "CMP was the first media company to address the information needs of the channel with the introduction of Computer Reseller News in 1982. We continue to diversify and expand our channel offerings. The combination of our channel expertise and our unrivaled understanding of the enterprise will give CRN Enterprise Partner readers the information and analysis they need to make critical business decisions."

The launch of CRN Enterprise Partner will provide integrators with a wealth of information specific to the needs of the enterprise customer in areas like thin clients, PC manageability, servers and NT vs. UNIX. CRN Enterprise Partner will also publish exclusive research and pulse polls on matters such as purchasing forecasts and trends in the market.

Initial integrator reactions are positive. Peter Lesser of Kraft, Kennedy & Lesser an integrator with annual sales of $9.5 million said, "Existing editorial that targets integrators underserves those of us who focus on enterprise customers. The fact that this one is coming from CRN, which has earned our trust, gives it instant credibility."

Mark Romanowski of Jade Systems Corp., a $30 million integrator, said, "We enterprise integrators don't have a dedicated publication to turn to. The CRN Enterprise Partner focus clearly is what we need."

CMP's Channel Group comprises three category-leading publications: Computer Reseller News, VARBusiness and Computer Retail Week plus their online editions. Other CMP Channel Group products and services include the Channel Information Services research and consulting unit; ChannelWEB, the resellers-only virtual community at http://www.channelweb.com; the CMP Channel Advocate Program; Channel Custom Publishing and the XChange conference series.

CMP Media Inc. (Nasdaq: CMPX) is a leading high-tech media company providing essential information and marketing services to the broad technology spectrum--the builders, sellers and users of technology worldwide. With its portfolio of newspapers, magazines, custom publishing, Internet products 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, serves government, corporate and technology-vendor clients around the world.

CONTACT: CMP Media Inc., Manhasset

Barbara Kerbel, 516/562-5218

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Barry Zusman, 516/562-7040

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