VNU CONFIRMS PURCHASE OF IMARK; SELLS EDUCATIONAL INFO. GROUP.

VNU (Haarlem, The Neth.) has reached an agreement to acquire the European operations of Imark Communications (London) for EUR 18.5 million.

Imark Communications produces b2b technology exhibitions and seminars for such market segments as human resource management and accounting and finance. It also produces exhibitions and conferences for the U.K. technology retail sector. Trade shows include "SoftWorld," "ProjectWorld," "Project Leadership Conferfence," "Comms Dealer Expo." The acquired unit has 40 employees and generated 2000 revenues of EUR 12.6 million.

VNU said the acquired property, together with its Online Information unit, creates the "number one European platform for the electronic publishing industry (and gives) VNU a leading position in the U.K. technology exhibition and conference sector."

In related news, VNU has signed an agreement to sell its Educational Information Group (EIG) to 3i (London), Europe's largest venture capital firm. No terms were given. The sale includes all activities of EIG's two operating units, L.C.G. Malmberg (The Neth.) and Uitgeverij Van In n.v. (Belgium). The two units had combined 2000 revenues of EUR 76 million and operating income of EUR 17 million.

VNU and 3i have agreed that terms of employment will remain unchanged and that there will be no forced dismissals. VNU said the sale is in line with its strategy of focusing on three main activities: marketing and media information, business information and directories.