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May 1-15, 2005 Edition

Random House

Sales Remain Flat

for 2004 Year

NEW YORK, NY/04/19/05—Random House experienced relatively flat U.S. sales of about $1.33 billion in 2004, according to Publishers’ Weekly, which cited information in parent Bertlesmann’s annual report.

U.S. sales accounted for $2.22 billion (1.79 euros), or 58.6%, of Random House’s total sales. The figure declined slightly from 66.3% of US sales for 2003. Despite lackluster sales, the company’s operating profits increased 22%.

Random House held an 11% share of the German market, due to the recent acquisition of German publisher Heyne. The company’s expansion into Asian markets resulted in 19% of its sales generated from outside of Europe. English-language publishing worldwide accounted for 85.6% of total revenue in 2004, the PW article said.