Bloomsbury Announces Database

Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
11 May 2000

                                       
            BLOOMSBURY AND PERSEUS ANNOUNCE MAJOR BUSINESS DATABASE

London 11th. May, 2000: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc and Perseus Books Group, the
leading  US trade publisher, today announced the creation of a major  database
of business information, beginning with the landmark Business Bible in 2002.

Announcing  the  venture, Bloomsbury Chief Executive  Nigel  Newton  said  the
project would 'significantly enhance future earnings after completion'.

The  Business Bible is intended to be the most comprehensive practical
business resource ever - a one-stop reference and interactive tool covering 
virtually every  aspect  of the world of business, providing up to date  and 
accessible information   about   global   business and management. 
Comprehensive, practical, and authoritative, it will include contributions by
leading international business figures, management experts, and professional
organisations.

The  Business Bible will be published simultaneously in the UK,  the  US,  and
around  the world in 2002.  It is aimed at everyone who works rather than  the
narrower  management book market.  Initial publication will be  in  hardcover,
with  subsequent updates and revisions appearing in paperback.  A great number
of  additional works will be created from the database of information that  is
being compiled to produce the Business Bible.  Among the future projects  will
be pocket reference guides, handbooks, and numerous other derivations from the
original work.

In  announcing  the  venture,  Nigel Newton,  Chief  Executive  of  Bloomsbury
Publishing, said, 'We are excited to be launching such an important and unique
project.   The  Business Bible is designed to be the single most comprehensive
business  resource in the world.  We intend that it become an  essential  tool
for   anyone  doing  business  at  any  level,  from  major  corporations   to
entrepreneurs  who  work from home, from CEOs to consultants,  salespeople  to
systems  analysts.  This  project will significantly enhance  future  earnings
after completion.'

Jack  McKeown, CEO of the Perseus Books Group, added, 'We are delighted to  be
partners   with  Bloomsbury  on  this  ground breaking  enterprise.   
Business publishing  is  one of the primary strengths of Perseus Publishing, 
and  this project  represents an enormous opportunity for us to build  and 
expand that strength.  I am confident that the publication of the Business Bible
 will  be hailed as a landmark in business publishing.'

The global marketing strategy for the launch of the project will be handled by
J. Walter Thompson.

This  is  the  third  major database developed by Bloomsbury's  Reference  and
Electronic  Media  Division.   The first two are  the  Encarta  World  English
Dictionary and the English Language Teaching Database.   Negotiations for  the
electronic  rights  to  the Business Bible are taking place  with  a  number 
of leading new media organisations.

The  project  is  being managed at Bloomsbury by Jonathan  Glasspool,  Product
Director and Business Publisher in the Reference and Electronic Media Division
of  the  company.  In the US, Sean Abbott has been appointed US Project Editor
by Perseus Publishing.



For more information:

In  the UK:  Nigel Newton, Chief Executive, Bloomsbury Publishing 
             020 7494 6015
             Simon Forrest, Impact Corporate Communications 0207 355 5150
In the US:   For Jack McKeown, CEO, the Perseus Books Group please contact
             Lisa Warren, Director of Publicity, Perseus Publishing 
             001 [phone].