GHS.L Regulatory News (GHS)

4 Oct 2006 09:35

NewMedia SPARK PLC04 October 2006 For immediate release 4 October 2006 NewMedia SPARK plc Sale of Mergermarket Limited Declared Unconditional NewMedia SPARK plc ("SPARK"), the investor in early stage digital informationand technology companies, is pleased to announce the sale of MergermarketLimited, ("mergermarket"), to the Financial Times Group part of Pearson plc(LSE:PSON) has been declared unconditional following receipt of confirmationfrom required EU competition authorities that the acquisition can proceed. SPARK's book value for its stake in Mergermarket was £8.0 million at 31 March2005 and £13.0m at 30 September 2005. SPARK'S expected proceeds from this saleamount to approximately £27.8m. For NewMedia SPARK Thomas Teichman, Chairman 07007 333 123 Andrew Carruthers, Chief Executive Officer 020 7851 7777 Isabel Podda, Buchanan Communications 020 7466 5000 Notes to Editors: About NewMedia SPARK plc NewMedia SPARK is a quoted venture capital organisation based in central Londonfocused on early stage investments in the technology, media and telecomssectors. SPARK's portfolio has a particular emphasis on digital media, softwareapplications, technology and communications. As an investor, SPARK expects toadd significant value to its investments through active support and strategicdirection. SPARK is listed on London's Alternative Investment Market. For further information, see www.newmediaspark.com. About Mergermarket Mergermarket is a leading provider of proprietary predictive event-drivenintelligence to investment banks, hedge funds, private equity houses, wealthmanagers, restructuring specialists, law and accountancy firms and corporatesworldwide. Since its foundation in 1999, mergermarket has successfully built anunrivalled blue chip client base through the development of its complementaryportfolio of "must have", subscription-based electronic products includingmergermarket, Debtwire, dealReporter and Wealthmonitor which appeal to a broadrange of the financial services industry as well as corporate clients. Fore more information, please visit www.mergermarket.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange