Trader Classified Media Acquires the Leading Classified Advertising Business in Mexico City

Business Wire, Feb 18, 2003

Business Editors

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 18, 2003

Trader Classified Media N.V., a leader in classified advertising, announces today the acquisition of the leading classified advertising business in Mexico City, Segundamano, and its related brands.

The brand portfolio consists of the print titles: Segundamano, Primera Mano and High Inmuebles. Together these enjoy a combined circulation of more than 100,000 copies per week. Content is also delivered through the www.segundamano.com.mx Internet site which offers a wide range of free and paid ad services. In 2002 the business attained revenues of approximately EUR 7 million.

John H. MacBain, Trader Classified Media's President and Chief Executive Officer, commented : `This acquisition is in line with our strategy of expansion through the acquisition of leading brands in high potential markets. The area served by these brands offers a large opportunity for business growth through the development of both the professional and private customer market segments. The new business will allow us to replicate quickly the Best Practices and successful business models of our existing Spanish and Latin American operations.'

About Trader Classified Media

Trader Classified Media is a leader in classified advertising. The group was founded in Canada in 1987. Today, Trader Classified Media connects buyers and sellers through 300 publications (8 million readers per week) and over 60 web sites in 21 countries. Trader Classified Media has over 5,100 employees worldwide, of which 2,100 are sales people. Trader Classified Media is listed on the Premier Marche (First Market of the Paris Stock Exchange - Euroclear code 5729 and Reuters code: TRD).

Forward looking statement

Certain statements in this press release may be considered to be "forward looking statements" as that term is defined in The United States' Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements that include the words or phrases "will allow," "will continue," " is anticipated," "expectations," or similar expressions. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. The factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by any such statements include, but are not limited to, those identified in our Form 20-F, which is on file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Such factors include risks or uncertainties relating to our history of reported losses, the control of our company by a small group of shareholders, our highly competitive industry, our ability to make and integrate acquisitions, our ability to respond to political and economic conditions generally in the global economy or specifically in the countries in which we operate including Russia and South America, the currencies in which we do business, our dependence on our management team, our content, our brands and our branding strategy, our dependence on advertising including print and online advertising, our ability to expand our online business, the limited history of our online business, our ability to successfully execute our business strategy and our dependence on the growth of Internet usage, as well as general economic and market conditions.