United Proposes Name Change As Future Growth Plans Announced

United News and Media has announced that it is to seek shareholder permission to change its company name. Under the new title United Business Media plc, the company is planning build on its core businesses, CMP and PR Newswire, “through a combination of organic growth, investment, partnership and acquisition.”

At a presentation this morning, representatives of CMP said that the plans for the group’s publications, events and websites included building on their editorial content and market positions to expand either into new territories or deeper into core markets.

PR Newswire revealed two new services to be launched next year. The ‘Global Business Garden’ will be an online marketplace for start-up companies who want to publicise their products, and for venture capitalist companies and other investors wanting to review potential business opportunities.

Meanwhile, ‘T-button’ will provide a service whereby a company press releases will be converted from a static document to a “comprehensive information source and e-commerce opportunity for that company.” PR Newswire is also aiming to become one of the nominated agents to release price-sensitive information to the market on behalf of listed companies in the UK.

Bernard Gray, United’s director of group strategy said, “Our objective is to build on these businesses and develop the nascent cross-business opportunities that exist across the new United.” Gray also stated that the company expected the strong performance seen in the first half of this year to continue in the remaining six months.

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