Appointment of JWT and New Board Member

Bloomsbury Publishing PLC 11 February 2000 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc ('Bloomsbury' or 'the Company') APPOINTMENT OF JWT AND NEW BOARD MEMBER Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, a leading independent publisher, has appointed JWT and Mindshare to work with it on the launch of a new global publishing venture. Bloomsbury will work with JWT offices in London, New York, Tokyo and Frankfurt to launch Bloomsbury's latest major database project, following on from the successful launch of the Encarta World English Dictionary last year and the announcement of the learners of English database in December. The third database, details of which cannot be revealed yet, should contribute to profitability from 2002. Nigel Newton, Bloomsbury's Chief Executive, said, 'We believe we have identified an opportunity with significant revenue generating potential, and for a project of this scale, the additional expertise and resource of JWT will ensure that it will become a globalised branded product for many years to come. JWT are a global brand development and communications agency who will work with us in developing the brand through to its launch'. Marco Rimini, JWT's head of Strategy and Development, said, 'We are delighted to be working on a mould breaking concept all the way from start to finish. It's a great partnership with Bloomsbury which we believe will bring both sides great rewards'. Bloomsbury Publishing, the publishers of Harry Potter, were this week voted the industry's Publisher of the Year Award at the British Book Awards. Bloomsbury also announces the appointment today of Alexandra Pringle, aged 47, as an executive director of the Company. Alexandra Pringle's main responsibility will be editorial in the book division of Bloomsbury. For more information on the venture with JWT, contact Marco Rimini at JWT (0171 631 7633) or Simon Forrest for Bloomsbury (0171 355 5150).