Presentation by Crispin Davis

Reed International PLC
6 June 2001




       Issued on behalf of Reed International P.L.C. and Elsevier N.V.


                                                                   6 June 2001



Presentation by Crispin Davis at Merrill Lynch TMT Conference

On Increasing Momentum in an Increasingly Digital World




Speaking at Merrill Lynch's annual TMT conference in London today, Crispin
Davis, Chief Executive Officer of Reed Elsevier plc, gave a presentation
showing the company's increasing momentum in the online publishing
environment.



The presentation included examples illustrating Reed Elsevier's move from
print publishing to digital information services in its Science, Legal and
Business to Business divisions and the growth opportunities that these
represent.  Additionally Crispin Davis gave an update of key indicators of the
acceptance and penetration of Reed Elsevier's online offerings.  He stated
that the penetration of the ScienceDirect online service had increased to 57%
of the Elsevier Science subscriber base by value in April 2001 from the 45%
reported for December 2000.  In the Legal business the latest independent
market research for the Spring 2001 showed preference versus competition
within US law schools for the lexis.com legal research service had risen to
57% up from the 54% reported for Autumn 2000.  He added that in Business to
Business revenues from Internet services should hit the 2001 target of £70
million, up 45% on the prior year and he noted that, in the UK, Internet
revenues would account for around 18% of magazines and directory revenues.



Notes to Editors



Reed Elsevier plc



Reed Elsevier plc is a world leading publisher and information provider.  It
is owned equally by its two parent companies, Reed International P.L.C and
Elsevier NV.  The parent companies are listed on the London, Amsterdam and New
York Stock Exchanges, under the following ticker symbols: London: REED;
Amsterdam: ELSN; New York: RUK, ENL.



In 2000, Reed Elsevier made adjusted profit before taxation of £690 million
($1,042 million) on turnover of £3,768 million ($5,690 million).  The group
employs 27,700 people, including 14,800 in North America.



Operating in the scientific, legal, educational and business-to-business
sectors, Reed Elsevier provides high value and flexible information solutions
to professional end users, with increasing emphasis on internet delivery.



Further information on Reed Elsevier can be found on the company's website at
www.reedelsevier.com