The Gale Group: Thomson Merges Three Companies - Gale, Iac & Psm

Online Newsletter, Oct 1, 1998

Thomson Business Information (TBI) has announced that it is merging three of its electronic and reference publishing subsidiaries: Gale Research, Information Access Company (IAC), and Primary Source Media (PSM). The newly merged company will be called The Gale Group. "We are merging three strong companies into a new worldwide leader," said Patrick J.

Tierney, TBI president. "By combining Gale's extensive new product development, editorial, and print publishing capabilities, IAC's expertise in electronic publishing, and Primary Source Media's expertise with publishing original research materials, we will create compelling new products, strengthen existing ones, and deliver the highest quality of customer service." (Tierney, who is well familiar with the online and information industry, was formerly the president of Knight-Ridder [Dialog] Information Services, Inc. from 1991 to 1997.) Tierney also announced that Allen Paschal, the current IAC president, has been appointed chief executive officer (CEO) of the Gale Group. Paschal, in turn, announced that Dedria Bryfonski, the current CEO of Gale Research, now assumes the new position of president, Library Education Group of The Gale Group; and that David Lucas, CEO of Primary Source Media, will manage all Gale Group operations in Europe and additionally direct the Primary Source Media operations in the U.S. and England. Gale Research produces databases covering a range of subjects from literature and biographies to science and technology, as well as general reference primarily for the public, school, and academic library markets. Gale is well-known for its series of encyclopedias and directories in the online and information fields. The company annually produces hundreds of books and CD-ROMs, as well as Internet- and online-delivered products. Gale was acquired by The Thomson Corporation in 1985. Information Access Company provides information-based products in CD-ROM, microfilm, print, and online formats. The company adds value to the articles, reports, scientific and educational information, and business and financial research it collects from more than 6,500 sources worldwide by applying advanced indexing, coding, and abstracting. The Thomson Corporation acquired IAC in 1995. Primary Source Media is a leading publisher of primary source materials across a spectrum of media. Formerly known as Research Publications, the 31-year-old company provides academic and business libraries with access to some of the world's rarest and most valuable research materials. Primary Source Media was acquired by The Thomson Corporation in 1979. Thomson Business Information (TBI) is a major operating entity of The Thomson Corporation, and is composed of leading professional information businesses in library and business reference, scientific, and other vertical markets worldwide. With annual revenues approaching $6 billion, The Thomson Corporation (TTC) is one of the world's leading information and publishing companies. The Gale Group will be headquartered in the company's new Farmington Hills, Michigan office building, recently completed to house the organization's varied activities. For further information contact: The Gale Group, 27500 Drake Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48331-3535. Telephone: (800) 877-GALE or (248) 699-4253 [GALE]. Fax: (248) 699-8073. Email: galeorder(at)gale.com URL: http://www.gale.com/gale.html