"Blackwell has a history of providing the medical community with a comprehensive collection of high-quality medical books. The addition of BMJ titles only strengthens the scope of Blackwell's service to clinicians world-wide, and demonstrates our commitment to growth in medical publishing," said Ren Olivieri, CEO of Blackwell Publishing. "As this transfer moves forward, Blackwell will further the high service standards set by BMJ, reinforcing the strength of publishing excellence for which Blackwell is known."
Richard Smith, editor of the BMJ and Chief Executive of BMJ Publishing Group Ltd said, "This decision has not been easy to make, but it is no longer feasible for us to continue an extensive book publishing business. We have published great books of which we are proud, but our cost structure has meant that we could not produce the return on the business that we hoped."
The sale, undertaken in consultation with union representatives and BMJ employees, follows a strategic review by the company to focus on core activities of journal publishing and developing educational materials for doctors, such as Clinical Evidence and BMJ Learning. "I assure all BMJ Book customers that Blackwell will provide the same superior level of service to which they are accustomed," Smith said. "The books will retain the BMJ Books imprint alongside that of Blackwell and, given Blackwell's international sales operation, we are confi
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Contact: Dawn Peters
dpeters@bos.blackwellpublishing.com
781-388-8334
Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
8-Apr-2004