Trader Classified Media: Strong Organic Revenue Growth of 7% in 2002

Business Wire, Jan 23, 2003

Business Editors

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 23, 2003

Trader Classified Media N.V., a global leader in classified advertising, releases today its unaudited full year and fourth quarter 2002 revenue results. -0-

  Full Year 2002
  In (EUR) millions                             Total      Organic
                               2002     2001   Growth %    Growth %(a)
   Print revenues             411.5    393.6       4.5%          5%
   Online revenues             31.2     25.5        22%         26%
   Consolidated revenues      442.7    419.1         6%          7%

(a) Excluding exchange rate impact and the results of acquisitions and
    disposals for 12 months.

    For the full year 2002, consolidated revenues increased by  6% to
(EUR)442.7 million vs. (EUR)419.1 million for the full year 2001.
Excluding exchange rate impact, total growth was  9% and organic
growth was  7%.

   4th Quarter 2002
   In (EUR) millions     4th Q 2002  4th Q 2001    Total    Organic
                                                 Growth %  Growth %(a)
   Print revenues             100.9        101.6     - 1%        4%
   Online revenues              8.2          6.8      21%       28%
   Consolidated revenues      109.1        108.4       1%        6%


(a) Excluding exchange rate impact and the results of acquisitions and
    disposals for 12 months.

In the 4th quarter 2002, consolidated revenues increased by 1% to (EUR)109.1 million vs. (EUR)108.4 million in the 4th quarter of 2001. Excluding exchange rate impact, total growth and organic growth were both 6%.

By source of revenue, organic revenue growth for the full year was driven by:

-- Professional classified ads:  15%

-- Display advertising:  7%

-- Private classified ads:  4.5%

-- Internet:   26%

By region, organic revenue growth for the full year was driven by:

-- Russia & CIS: 19.5%

-- Australia: 13%

-- Spain & Latin America: 6%

-- North America: 5%

Didier Breton, Chief Operating Officer of Trader Classified Media commented: "Our 4th quarter revenue results show continued solid organic growth. In 2003, our priority will be to accelerate growth through the launch of new products and services and the deployment of our call centre strategy across all countries."

Acquisitions completed in the 4th quarter 2002

Hungary (Hirdetes): In October 2002, the Company acquired the Mai Hirdetes free ad publication in Hungary. This acquisition, with annual sales of approximately (EUR)1.5 million, combined with our existing Expressz business, further reinforces our leadership in the classified advertising market in Budapest.

Canada (Auto and Truck Seller Magazines): In December 2002, the Company completed the purchase of the paid ad Auto and Truck Seller Magazines in the Maritimes provinces of Canada. This acquisition, with annual sales of approximately (EUR)2 million, combined with our existing AutoTrader business, further reinforces our presence in Eastern Canada.

Confirming our objectives

John H. MacBain, President and Chief Executive Officer of Trader Classified Media, said: "Our 2002 achievement of 7% organic growth reflects how resilient our business is in current difficult market conditions. We are confident that we will deliver our EBITDA guidance of (EUR)110 million and a positive net income (US Gaap) for the full year. The company is well positioned for improved growth and profitability in 2003".

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 60 web sites in 20 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.