Email News Release: Wiley Completes Acquisition of Blackwell Publishing (Holdings) Ltd.

[Ann Okerson <ann.okerson@yale.edu>]

Of possible interest.

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John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Email News Release

Contact:
Susan Spilka
201-748-6147
sspilka@wiley.com

Wiley Completes Acquisition of Blackwell Publishing (Holdings) Ltd.

Hoboken, N.J., and Oxford, U.K., February 5, 2007

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. announced today that it has finalized the 
acquisition of the outstanding shares of Blackwell Publishing 
(Holdings) Ltd., one of the world's foremost academic and 
professional publishers. The purchase price of 572 million pounds 
was financed with a combination of debt and cash.

Blackwell's publishing program is being merged with Wiley's 
global scientific, technical, and medical business. The merged 
business is now the largest of the three businesses of John Wiley 
& Sons, Inc.; its other businesses are Professional/Trade and 
Higher Education.

"Wiley begins our third century of publishing by embarking on the 
path of growth and expansion, with our new colleagues," said 
William J. Pesce, Wiley's President and Chief Executive Officer. 
"It is an extraordinary milestone in our Company's remarkable 
history."

The integration of the businesses is being guided by a best 
practices approach.  Leadership roles are being assumed by 
colleagues from both companies. Mr. Pesce announced the 
appointment of Wiley's Senior Vice President, STM Publishing, 
Eric A. Swanson to lead the merged business and Blackwell CEO 
Rene Olivieri to serve as its Chief Operating Officer. Mr. 
Olivieri is co-leader of the transition team along with Wiley 
Europe's Chief Operating Officer, Stephen Smith.

Responsibility to stakeholders is an important part of the vision 
guiding the merger. "We want to set the standard for publishing 
for the scientists, physicians, professionals and scholars who 
are our authors and readers," continued Mr. Pesce, "For our 
authors and society partners, we intend to provide best of class 
service through our extensive network of editorial, production, 
marketing, and sales talent.  For our customers, we intend to 
provide more access to more content to more people than ever 
before in the history of the two companies. For our colleagues, 
we intend to provide intellectually stimulating and rewarding 
opportunities."

The combined business and the constituencies it serves will 
benefit from its collaborative, customer- and partner-friendly 
approach.  Moreover, the combined companies will be able to 
invest more in online capabilities than either could as separate 
entities. Global market reach will be strengthened and extended. 
Wiley and Blackwell are two of the world's most respected global 
publishers. Together, the two companies will publish 
approximately 1,250 scholarly peer-reviewed journals (over 1 
million pages) and an extensive collection of books with global 
appeal.

About Wiley

Founded in 1807, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. has been a valued source 
of information and understanding for 200 years, helping people 
around the world meet their needs and fulfill their aspirations. 
Our core businesses include scientific, technical, and medical 
journals; encyclopedias, books, and online products and services; 
professional and consumer books and subscription services; and 
educational materials for undergraduate and graduate students and 
lifelong learners.  Wiley's global headquarters are located in 
Hoboken, New Jersey with operations in the U.S., Europe, Asia, 
Canada, and Australia.  The Company's Web site is www.wiley.com. 
Wiley is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols 
JWa and JWb.

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