Publication of New Dictionary for English Learners

Bloomsbury Publishing PLC 3 December 1999 BLOOMSBURY PUBLISHING PLC Bloomsbury Publishing Plc today announces the creation of Its second large-scale global reference databases - a completely new dictionary for learners of English to be published in print form world-wide by Macmillan Publishers, one of the market leaders in the English Language Teaching (ELT) publishing market. This is the first of the two new databases being created by the company, which were announced, but not detailed, in the Interim Statement. The new database extends the pioneering approach developed by Bloomsbury for the Encarta World English Dictionary - a joint venture with Microsoft Inc. It involves utilising a network of language experts world-wide connected by the Internet to create this wholly original database. New software and corpus resources have been commissioned to meet the special requirements of this new English learners reference work. Bloomsbury's Chief Executive, Nigel Newton said ' This project firmly establishes Bloomsbury in the first tier of electronic reference producers. Bloomsbury and Macmillan expect this new publication to become the first choice English learners' dictionary worldwide. The electronic potential of this database is vast, as markets around the world need well-structured English- language digital data, in both British and American spelling and usage forms for software, Internet and telecommunications purposes. Bloomsbury and Macmillan are discussing these rights with a number of potential partners in these areas. We believe this database will become a major revenue source for the company for years to come as well as enhancing the growing value of our intellectual property assets.' Kathy Rooney, Publishing Director of Bloomsbury's Reference and Electronic Media Division said. 'Driven by the Internet, commerce and travel there has never been a greater appetite to learn the English language. Our own research estimates that by the year 2052 over 50% of the world's population will have some competence in English. This new database is aimed specifically at that enormous growing market.' For further information contact: Nigel Newton, Chief Executive, Bloomsbury Publishing plc: 0171-494-6015 Colin Adams, Finance Director, Bloomsbury Publishing plc: 0171-494-6019 Simon Forrest, Impact Corporate Communications: 0171-355-5150 (m ) 0585-317746