HEALTHWORLD CORP
S-1/A, 1997-11-20
ADVERTISING AGENCIES
Previous: ELECTRIC LIGHTWAVE INC, S-1/A, 1997-11-20
Next: GAMETECH INTERNATIONAL INC, 8-A12G, 1997-11-20




<PAGE>
   
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON NOVEMBER 20, 1997
    
 
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-34751
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 3
    
                                       TO
 
                                    FORM S-1
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
                            HEALTHWORLD CORPORATION
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                       <C>                                       <C>
                DELAWARE                                    7311                                   13-3922288
    (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF             (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL                    (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
     INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)             CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)                  IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
                           100 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10013
                                 (212) 966-7640
              (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
       INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
                            ------------------------
 
                                STEVEN GIRGENTI
               CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                            HEALTHWORLD CORPORATION
                           100 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10013
                                 (212) 966-7640
           (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
                   INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
                            ------------------------
 
                                   Copies to:
 

<TABLE>
<S>                                                             <C>
                    HOWARD S. JACOBS, ESQ.                                          EDWARD D. SOPHER, ESQ.
                     ROSENMAN & COLIN LLP                                           STEPHEN E. OLDER, ESQ.
                      575 MADISON AVENUE                                  AKIN, GUMP, STRAUSS, HAUER & FELD, L.L.P.
                NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022-2585                                         590 MADISON AVENUE
                     TEL: (212) 940-8800                                        NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022-4616
                     FAX: (212) 940-8776                                             TEL: (212) 872-1000
                                                                                     FAX: (212) 872-1002
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
     APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
 
     If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box. / /
 
     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering: / /
 
     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering: / /
 
     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box: /x/
                            ------------------------
 
     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(A), MAY
DETERMINE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>
                            HEALTHWORLD CORPORATION
                             CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
                   PURSUANT TO ITEM 501(B) OF REGULATION S-K
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         ITEM NUMBER AND
                       HEADING IN FORM S-1                                    LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS
      ------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------ 
<S>   <C>                                                     <C>
 1.   Forepart of the Registration Statement and Outside
        Front Cover Page of Prospectus......................  Forepart; Outside Front Cover Page; Inside Cover Page;
                                                                Cross Reference Sheet
 
 2.   Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of
        Prospectus..........................................  Inside Front Cover Page; Additional Information;
                                                                Outside Back Cover Page
 
 3.   Summary Information, Risk Factors and Ratio of
        Earnings to Fixed Charges...........................  Outside Front Cover Page; Prospectus Summary; Risk
                                                                Factors
 
 4.   Use of Proceeds.......................................  Prospectus Summary; Use of Proceeds
 
 5.   Determination of Offering Price.......................  Outside Front Cover Page; Underwriting
 
 6.   Dilution..............................................  Risk Factors; Dilution
 
 7.   Selling Security Holders..............................  *
 
 8.   Plan of Distribution..................................  Outside Front Cover Page; Underwriting
 
 9.   Description of Securities to be Registered............  Description of Capital Stock
 
10.   Interests of Named Experts and Counsel................  Legal Matters; Experts
 
11.   Information with Respect to the Registrant............  Outside Front Cover Page; Prospectus Summary; The
                                                                Consolidation; Risk Factors; Dividend Policy;
                                                                Dilution; Capitalization; Selected Pro Forma
                                                                Combined Financial Information; Selected Financial
                                                                Information of GHB&M and Milton; Management's
                                                                Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
                                                                Results of Operations; Business; Management; Certain
                                                                Relationships and Related Transactions; Principal
                                                                Stockholders; Description of Capital Stock; Shares
                                                                Eligible for Future Sale; Financial Statements
 
12.   Disclosure of Commission Position on Indemnification
        for Securities Act Liabilities......................  *
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
* Omitted because answer is not applicable or is negative.

<PAGE>
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.

PROSPECTUS                                                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
   
                                                           NOVEMBER 20, 1997
    
 
                                2,100,000 SHARES

                        [HEALTHWORLD CORPORATION LOGO]
 
                                  Common Stock
 
                         ------------------------------
 
     Healthworld Corporation (the 'Company') is hereby offering 2,100,000 shares
of its common stock, $.01 par value per share (the 'Common Stock'). Prior to the
Offering, there has been no public market for the Common Stock of the Company.
It is currently estimated that the initial public offering price for the Common
Stock will be between $8.00 and $9.50 per share. See 'Underwriting' for a
discussion of the factors considered in determining the initial public offering
price of the Common Stock. The Common Stock has been approved for quotation on
The Nasdaq National Market under the symbol 'HWLD.'
 
                         ------------------------------
 
        THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK.
                    SEE 'RISK FACTORS' BEGINNING ON PAGE 7.
 
                         ------------------------------
 
 THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
        EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS
        THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
     COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
          ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        UNDERWRITING
                                                PRICE TO               DISCOUNTS AND              PROCEEDS TO
                                                 PUBLIC                COMMISSIONS(1)              COMPANY(2)

<S>                                     <C>                       <C>                       <C>
Per Share.............................             $                         $                         $
Total(3)..............................             $                         $                         $
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Excludes a non-accountable expense allowance payable by the Company to C. E.
    Unterberg, Towbin and Pennsylvania Merchant Group Ltd, the representatives
    (the 'Representatives') of the several underwriters (the 'Underwriters'),
    equal to 1% of the gross proceeds of the Offering. The Company has agreed to
    indemnify the Underwriters against certain liabilities, including
    liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. See
    'Underwriting.'
 
(2) Before deducting expenses of the Offering payable by the Company, estimated
    at $          .
 
(3) The Company has granted to the Underwriters an option, exercisable within 30
    days after the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to 315,000 additional
    shares of Common Stock solely to cover over-allotments, if any. If such
    option is exercised in full, the total Price to Public, Underwriting
    Discounts and Commissions and Proceeds to Company will be $          ,
    $          and $          , respectively. See 'Underwriting.'
 
     The shares of Common Stock are offered by the Underwriters, subject to
receipt and acceptance of such shares by them. The Underwriters reserve the
right to reject any order in whole or in part. It is expected that the shares
will be ready for delivery in New York, New York, on or about              ,
1997.
 
                         ------------------------------
 
C. E. UNTERBERG, TOWBIN                          PENNSYLVANIA MERCHANT GROUP LTD
 
               The date of this Prospectus is             , 1997

<PAGE>

[THE NAME 'HEALTHWORLD CORPORATION' ABOVE A PICTURE OF THE EARTH, BENEATH WHICH
                      IS A LIST OF THE COMPANY'S SERVICES]
 
     CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THE OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK,
INCLUDING OVER-ALLOTMENT, STABILIZING AND SHORT-COVERING TRANSACTIONS IN SUCH
SECURITIES AND THE IMPOSITION OF A PENALTY BID IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING.
FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE 'UNDERWRITING.'
 
     'Healthworld' and the Healthworld logo are registered trademarks for which
the Company holds a license. Trade names and trademarks of other companies
appearing in this Prospectus are the property of their respective holders.
 
                                       2

<PAGE>
     [Three page fold out containing the Healthworld name and logo, along with
the phrase underneath the name and logo 'Worldwide Healthcare Communications,'
various pictures of services provided by the Company and advertising campaigns
and campaign materials prepared by the Company, and the following textual
statements: 'The Company provides a wide array of marketing and communications
services to its clients, ranging from the execution of a discrete marketing
project, such as designing product packaging, to taking responsibility for the
overall marketing message, which enables the Company to incorporate a wide
variety of its services into one integrated marketing campaign' and 'The Company
is a licensee of Healthworld B.V., a worldwide network of licensed independent
agencies offering marketing and communications services. Through Healthworld
B.V., the Company is able to offer its clients the creative talents and
marketing expertise of experienced agencies, as well as their knowledge of local
markets, to develop consistent, integrated multinational programs.']

<PAGE>
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
   
     On November 12, 1997, Healthworld Corporation acquired (the
'Consolidation'), in exchange for shares of its Common Stock, all of the issued
and outstanding common stock of each of (i) Girgenti, Hughes, Butler & McDowell,
Inc. ('GH') and its affiliated entities, consisting of Medical Education
Technologies, Inc., Syberactive, Inc., Brand Research Corporation, Black Cat
Graphics, Inc. and GHBM, Inc. (together with GH, 'GHB&M'), each of which is
under common control and management, and (ii) Milton Marketing Group Limited and
its subsidiaries ('Milton'). Unless otherwise indicated, all references herein
to the 'Company' include GHB&M and Milton and give effect to the Consolidation
and all references herein to 'Healthworld' refer to Healthworld Corporation
prior to the consummation of the Consolidation. The following summary does not
purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information and financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere
in this Prospectus. Unless otherwise indicated, all share, per share and
financial information set forth herein assume no exercise of the Underwriters'
over-allotment option.
    
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
   
     Healthworld is an international marketing and communications services
company specializing in health care. Healthworld acquired GHB&M and Milton on
November 12, 1997 and conducts all of its operations in the United States
through GHB&M and all of its operations in the United Kingdom through Milton,
which have been operating in the marketing and communications industry since
April 1986 and August 1978, respectively. See 'The Consolidation.'
    
 
     The Company provides many of the world's largest pharmaceutical and other
health care companies with a comprehensive range of integrated strategic
marketing services designed to accelerate the market acceptance of new products
and to sustain marketability throughout their life-cycles. The Company's
services include advertising and promotion, contract sales, consulting,
publishing, medical education, public relations, interactive multimedia,
database marketing and marketing research services. The Company offers its
clients global reach and expertise through its operations in the United States
and the United Kingdom, and through Healthworld B.V., a world-wide network of
licensed independent marketing and communications agencies located in 13 other
countries, in which GHB&M and Milton are founding licensees.
 
     The Company believes that its understanding of the scientific and medical
issues relating to its clients' products and its in-depth knowledge of the
health care industry and regulatory environment are competitive advantages and
are critical for developing the most effective marketing and communications
campaigns and strategies. The Company relies on its creative talent and utilizes
new media and technologies to continually develop better ways to effectively
promote its clients' products. GHB&M, which has consistently been recognized in
the industry as one of the top health care communications agencies, was named
'Agency of the Year' in 1993 and 1996 by Med Ad News, a leading medical

advertising and communications trade publication, based on a number of criteria,
including creative marketing ability and account wins and losses, and was a
finalist for such award in 1992 and 1994. GHB&M was also named 'Most Creative
Agency' by Med Ad News in 1995 based on a poll of the presidents of the top 50
communications agencies. The Company believes that GHB&M was one of the first
companies to develop a direct-to-consumer marketing ('DTC') campaign for a
prescription drug, and that it is an industry leader in the development of DTC
campaigns based on the number of DTC assignments it has performed. The Company
also believes that Milton is an industry leader in the development of marketing
strategies and campaigns for 'switching' a drug from prescription to
over-the-counter status, based on the number of switching assignments it has
performed.
 
     Pharmaceutical and other health care companies have been increasing their
spending on marketing and communications services and, in response to
cost-containment pressures, are increasingly outsourcing certain labor
intensive, high cost services, including marketing and sales and research
functions. According to industry sources, worldwide spending by pharmaceutical
and biotechnology companies on promotional marketing and contract sales is
estimated to reach $5.9 billion in 1997. The Company believes that these
spending levels will continue to increase as companies seek to recoup the high
costs of product development, maximize sales, develop brand loyalty and achieve
a high market share in the shortest possible time period due to a limited patent
life on new products. In addition, cost constraints imposed as a result of
health care reform and the emergence of
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
managed care have forced pharmaceutical and other health care companies to spend
more on marketing and communications services to educate the market as to
cost-effectiveness as well as the safety and efficacy of their products.
 
     Furthermore, the use of DTC to promote prescription drugs has grown rapidly
and is expected to continue to grow in the future. In 1996, the first year in
which more money was spent on DTC than on advertising to physicians, industry
sources report that pharmaceutical companies spent approximately $600 million on
DTC, which is twice as much as was spent in 1995 and almost 10 times more than
in 1991, and that figures for the first few months of 1997 suggest that the
total may double again and exceed $1.0 billion for the year. In fiscal 1994,
1995, 1996 and the fiscal nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, the
Company's revenues from DTC represented 18%, 21%, 20%, 18% and 15%,
respectively, of the Company's pro forma combined revenues.
 
     The Company's contract sales teams form a network of trained professionals
that provides clients with substantial flexibility in selecting the extent and
costs of promoting products as well as such clients' level of involvement in
managing the sales effort. The Company believes that the speed of recruitment,
quality of training and management of sales representatives, supported by
advanced information technology, are key to providing clients with a sales force
tailored to meet their geographic and scheduling needs. Currently, the Company's
contract sales organization operates in the United Kingdom and provides its
services primarily to consumer products companies, utilities and other
non-health care related companies. The Company began providing contract sales
services to pharmaceutical and other health care companies in the United Kingdom

in May 1997, and as of September 30, 1997 revenues generated from such clients
were not significant. The Company intends to expand its contract sales
organization into the United States in the second quarter of 1998 and believes
that such expansion will enable it to complement its existing communications
services with a flexible sales force designed to augment its clients' sales
activities.
 
     The Company's strategy is to capitalize on continued growth in marketing
and communications spending by pharmaceutical and other health care companies by
(i) maintaining and enhancing its creative excellence and technical expertise,
(ii) offering its clients a comprehensive range of integrated services, (iii)
continuing to specialize in health care marketing and communications services,
(iv) increasing its contract sales services, and (v) further expanding globally.
The Company intends to implement its strategy through internal development and
potential acquisitions.
 
   
     Healthworld was incorporated in Delaware in September 1996 and conducted no
operations prior to the consummation of the Consolidation on November 12, 1997.
The Company's principal executive offices are located at 100 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, New York 10013. The Company's telephone number is (212)
966-7640.
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
Common Stock offered by the Company..........  2,100,000 shares
 
Common Stock to be outstanding immediately
  after the Offering.........................  7,100,000 shares(1)(2)
 
Use of Proceeds..............................  For (i) start-up and other funding costs relating to the expansion
                                               of the Company's contract sales operations into the United States,
                                               (ii) capital expenditures associated with the expansion of the
                                               Company's New York facility, (iii) the repayment of a $456,000
                                               loan, and (iv) working capital and general corporate purposes,
                                               including potential acquisitions. See 'Use of Proceeds.'
 
Nasdaq National Market Symbol................  HWLD
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
   
(1) Includes 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock issued in connection with the
    Consolidation.
    
 
   
(2) Excludes 710,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance upon the
    exercise of stock options which may be granted under the Company's 1997

    Stock Option Plan (the 'Stock Option Plan'), none of which have been granted
    to date. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Company will grant options
    under the Stock Option Plan to purchase up to an aggregate of 539,500 shares
    of Common Stock, at an exercise price per share equal to the initial public
    offering price. See 'Management--Stock Option Plan.'
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
                SUMMARY PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     The following summary pro forma combined financial information gives effect
to the Consolidation, among other events, as more fully described in 'The
Consolidation,' and should be read in conjunction with the Company's unaudited
Pro Forma Combining Financial Statements and notes thereto, the Combined
Financial Statements of GHB&M and notes thereto, the Consolidated Financial
Statements of Milton and notes thereto and 'Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations' contained elsewhere in this
Prospectus. The Consolidation will be accounted for as a pooling of interests.
Such financial data covers periods when GHB&M and Milton were not under common
control or management and may not be indicative of results that would have been
reported had the Consolidation and the other pro forma adjustments occurred nor
may it be indicative of the Company's future financial position or operating
results.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, (1)     SEPTEMBER 30, (2)
                                                              -----------------------------    ------------------
                                                               1994       1995       1996       1996       1997
                                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
                                                                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
Revenues...................................................   $13,081    $16,767    $24,209    $17,359    $23,186
Operating expenses:
  Salaries and related costs...............................     7,890      9,857     15,733     11,889     16,042
  Other operating expenses.................................     3,727      4,469      5,274      3,729      4,358
                                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
                                                               11,617     14,326     21,007     15,618     20,400
                                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
Income from operations.....................................     1,464      2,441      3,202      1,741      2,786
Income before provision for income taxes...................     1,450      2,439      3,133      1,726      2,794
Net income(3)..............................................   $   837    $ 1,401    $ 1,828    $ 1,003    $ 1,612
                                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
                                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
Earnings per share.........................................   $  0.17    $  0.28    $  0.37    $  0.20    $  0.32
                                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
                                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
Shares used in computing earnings per share................     5,000      5,000      5,000      5,000      5,000
</TABLE>
 
   

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                                                                                         ---------------------------
                                                                                                        PRO FORMA
                                                                                         PRO FORMA    AS ADJUSTED(4)
                                                                                         ---------    --------------
                                                                                               (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                      <C>          <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital.......................................................................    $   594        $ 15,588
Total assets..........................................................................     22,677          37,215
Long-term debt, including current portion.............................................      1,275             819
Stockholders' equity..................................................................      6,597          21,591
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------
(1) Includes financial data for GHB&M based on a December 31 fiscal year end and
    for Milton based on a November 30 fiscal year end.
 
(2) Includes financial data for GHB&M for the nine month period ended September
    30 and for Milton for the nine month period ended August 31.
 
   
(3) As a result of the consummation of the Consolidation on November 12, 1997,
    the status of the companies comprising GHB&M as 'S Corporations' under
    Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the 'Code'),
    terminated. The pro forma provision for income taxes reflects a provision
    for federal income taxes as if each of such entities were a 'C Corporation'
    rather than an 'S Corporation' for such periods. See 'The Consolidation.'
    
 
(4) Gives effect to the Offering at an assumed initial public offering price of
    $8.75 per share and the application of the estimated net proceeds therefrom,
    including the repayment of a $456,000 loan. See 'Use of Proceeds.'
 
                                       6

<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     An investment in the Common Stock offered hereby involves a high degree of
risk and immediate substantial dilution. In addition to the other information
contained in this Prospectus, prospective investors should carefully consider
the following considerations and risks in evaluating an investment in the
Company.
 
   
     ABSENCE OF COMBINED OPERATING HISTORY.  Although GHB&M and Milton have been
operating in the advertising, marketing and communications industry since April
1986 and August 1978, respectively, Healthworld, which was incorporated in
September 1996, conducted no operations and generated no revenues prior to its
acquisition of GHB&M and Milton on November 12, 1997. GHB&M and Milton have
historically operated and will continue to operate as separate entities after
the Consolidation. The Company intends to manage the operations of each of GHB&M
and Milton, institute necessary Company-wide systems and procedures to
effectively provide such management, and implement its growth strategy, and does
not expect to realize any cost reductions in the foreseeable future as a result
of the Consolidation. The inability of the Company to successfully manage GHB&M
and Milton would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations and would make it unlikely that
the Company's growth strategy will be successful. The unaudited pro forma
combining historical financial results of the Company cover periods when GHB&M,
Milton and Healthworld were not under common control or management and,
therefore, may not be indicative of results that would have been reported by the
Company had such events occurred on the dates specified, nor may they be
indicative of the Company's future financial or operating results. See 'The
Consolidation,' 'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations,' the Company's Pro Forma Combining Financial Statements,
the Combined Financial Statements of GHB&M and the related notes thereto, and
the Consolidated Financial Statements of Milton and the related notes thereto.
    
 
     DEPENDENCE ON CERTAIN KEY CLIENTS.  The Company's revenues are highly
dependent upon the advertising, sales and marketing expenditures of
pharmaceutical and other health care companies and other clients. Generally,
clients are not bound to an individual marketing and communications company, and
any client of the Company could at any time in the future and for any reason,
including a prolonged economic recession or regulatory problems with respect to
a product, reduce its marketing budget, transfer its business to another agency
or take in-house all or part of the business performed by the Company.
 
   
     The Company derives a large portion of its revenues from a small number of
clients. These clients generally do not engage the Company on an exclusive basis
and may engage different agencies for different services with respect to their
products or with respect to a particular product. Moreover, the contracts with
the Company's clients, except with respect to contract sales services, generally
have a term of one year and, with respect to long-term projects, are renewed on
a year-to-year basis. Such contracts typically relate to specific services or
services only for specific products and may be terminated by the client on short
notice. The Company's contracts relating to its contract sales services

generally are either short-term (i.e., one week to six months) or long-term
(i.e., up to three years), and may also be terminated by the client on short
notice. As a result, the Company's results of operations may be materially
adversely affected by the loss of one or more of its clients, the deterioration
of the Company's relationship with any of its major clients, a decline in the
business of its major clients or a decline in the marketing and communications
spending by its major clients, either generally or with respect to specific
products for which the Company is engaged. See 'Business--Clients' and
'--Competition.' In the third quarter of 1997, one of GHB&M's clients withdrew a
product due to possible side effects previously not associated with such
product, which, for the fiscal nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997,
accounted for approximately 5.5% and 6.0%, respectively, of GHB&M's combined
revenues and approximately 3.2% and 3.3%, respectively, of the Company's pro
forma combined revenues. However, as is typically the case with the Company's
clients, the Company is retained by the client to provide marketing and
communications services with respect to multiple products, and the loss of
business with respect to the withdrawn product is not expected to have a
material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations.
    
 
     For the 1996 fiscal year and the fiscal nine months ended September 30,
1997, the five largest clients of the Company represented an aggregate of 52%
and 48%, respectively, of the Company's pro forma combined revenues, and the
five largest clients of GHB&M represented an aggregate of 78% and 80%,
respectively, of GHB&M's combined revenues. For the 1996 fiscal year and the
nine months ended August 31, 1997, the five largest clients of Milton
represented an aggregate of 49% and 52%, respectively, of Milton's consolidated
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
revenues. For the 1996 fiscal year, American Home Products (through its
Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories and Whitehall Laboratories divisions), Ortho/McNeil
Pharmaceuticals (a division of Johnson & Johnson) and Kraft Jacobs Suchard
Limited accounted for an aggregate of approximately 27%, 9% and 6%,
respectively, of the Company's pro forma combined revenues, American Home
Products, Ortho/McNeil Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi Winthrop Pharmaceuticals
accounted for approximately 42%, 16% and 9%, respectively, of GHB&M's combined
revenues, and Ionica plc, Kraft Jacobs Suchard Limited and The Hospital Savings
Association accounted for approximately 13%, 13% and 8%, respectively, of
Milton's consolidated revenues. For the fiscal nine months ended September 30,
1997, American Home Products, Ionica plc and Ortho/McNeil Pharmaceuticals
accounted for approximately 18%, 9% and 9%, respectively, of the Company's pro
forma combined revenues, American Home Products, Ortho/McNeil Pharmaceuticals
and Sanofi Winthrop Pharmaceuticals accounted for approximately 33%, 17% and
11%, respectively, of GHB&M's combined revenues. For the nine months ended
August 31, 1997, Ionica plc, News International and Kraft Jacobs Suchard Limited
accounted for approximately 19%, 14% and 9%, respectively, of Milton's
consolidated revenues.
 
     MANAGEMENT OF GROWTH; ACQUISITION RISKS.  The Company's growth will depend
on a number of factors, including the Company's ability to maintain the high
quality of the services it provides to customers and to increase the number of
services it provides to existing clients, as well as to recruit, motivate and
retain highly skilled creative, technical and marketing personnel. Competition

for highly qualified personnel in the health care communications industry is
intense and the inability to attract and retain key personnel could have a
material adverse effect upon the Company's business, results of operations or
financial condition.
 
     The Company also intends to grow through the acquisition of businesses
specializing primarily in servicing the pharmaceutical and other health care
industries. Although the Company believes that opportunities for future
acquisitions are currently available, due to considerable acquisitions and
consolidations in the marketing and communications industry in recent years,
increased competition for acquisition candidates exists and may continue in the
future. Consequently, there may be fewer acquisition opportunities available to
the Company as well as higher acquisition prices. There can be no assurance that
the Company will be able to identify, acquire, manage or successfully integrate
acquired businesses without substantial costs, delays or operational or
financial problems. While the Company regularly evaluates and discusses
potential acquisitions, the Company currently has no understandings, commitments
or agreements with respect to any acquisitions. The Company may be required to
obtain additional financing to fund future acquisitions. The Company has no
current commitments or arrangements for such additional financing and there can
be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain additional financing on
acceptable terms or at all. See 'Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources'
and 'Business--Strategy.'
 
   
     FLUCTUATIONS IN QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS.  The results of operations of
each of GHB&M and Milton have been, and the Company's results of operations are
expected to be, subject to quarterly fluctuations. Generally, GHB&M's and
Milton's revenues and profits are lowest in the first quarter and highest in the
fourth quarter. GHB&M's and Milton's quarterly revenue trends result from a
number of factors, including, among other things, the timing of commencement,
completion or cancellation of major projects and industry billing practices
which are tied to clients' annual marketing budgets, while GHB&M's and Milton's
communications services expenses generally remain constant. The Company's
quarterly results may fluctuate as a result of such factors and a number of
additional factors, including delays or costs associated with acquisitions,
government regulatory initiatives and conditions in the health care industry
generally. The Company believes that quarterly comparisons of its financial
results should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance. See
'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Quarterly Operating Results.'
    
 
     CLIENT CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.  Client conflicts of interest are inherent in
the marketing and communications industry, particularly with respect to
pharmaceutical and other health care clients for which the Company performs
marketing and communications services, due to the proprietary nature of such
clients' products. The Company's ability to compete for new clients and
assignments is limited by the Company's general practice, and the practice
followed by many of the Company's competitors, of not representing clients with
competing product lines. In addition, the Company is often contractually
precluded from representing companies with competing products. As a result, the
Company may not be retained by existing, new or potential clients with respect

to certain products if the Company provides marketing or communications services
for competing products.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
     COMPETITION; INDUSTRY CONSOLIDATION.  The health care marketing and
communications industry throughout the United States and Europe is highly
competitive. The Company competes with other marketing and communications firms,
including international and local full-service and specialty marketing and
communications firms and, with respect to contract sales and marketing services,
with in-house sales departments of its clients and other contract sales and
marketing organizations.
 
     Consolidation within the pharmaceutical and health care industries as well
as a trend by pharmaceutical and health care companies to allocate outsourcing
of sales, marketing and communications services to fewer organizations, has
heightened the competition among such service providers for a smaller number of
clients. In addition, many of the larger consumer marketing and communications
companies have acquired health care marketing and communications companies,
which themselves have been increasingly consolidating in recent years. Many of
these companies have substantially greater financial resources, personnel and
facilities than the Company. In addition, if the previously described
consolidation trends continue, the Company may face greater competition for
clients. Although the Company believes it is able to compete on the basis of the
quality of its creative product, service, reputation and personal relationships
with clients, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
maintain its competitive position in the industry. See 'Business--Competition.'
 
     EXPANSION OF CONTRACT SALES SERVICES.  Currently, the Company's contract
sales organization operates only in the United Kingdom and provides its services
primarily to consumer products companies, utilities and other nonhealth care
related companies. The Company began providing contract sales services to
pharmaceutical and other health care companies in the United Kingdom to take
advantage of the increased use by such companies in the United Kingdom of
contract sales forces to market their products in May 1997 and as of September
30, 1997 revenues generated from such clients were not significant. In addition,
the Company currently intends to develop a contract sales organization in the
United States to provide contract sales services to pharmaceutical and other
health care companies. The successful expansion of the Company's contract sales
operations in the United Kingdom and in the United States will be dependent on a
number of factors, including (i) its ability to effectively compete against the
in-house sales departments of pharmaceutical companies and contract sales
organizations specializing in pharmaceutical and other health care products;
(ii) the hiring and training of qualified management personnel; and (iii) the
ability to integrate such contract sales operations into the Company's current
structure. An inability to manage future growth, compete effectively, or
successfully integrate such contract sales operations could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or results of
operations. See 'Business--Strategy' and 'Business--Competition.'
 
   
     DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL.  The Company is dependent on the efforts and
abilities of its senior management, including Steven Girgenti, its Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, and William Leslie Milton, its Vice Chairman and

President. The loss of the services of either of Mr. Girgenti or Mr. Milton, or
any other key employee could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Although the Company intends to obtain key person life insurance on the lives of
Messrs. Girgenti and Milton in the amounts of $4.0 million and $2.0 million,
respectively, as to which the Company will be the sole beneficiary, there can be
no assurance that such policies, if procured, would adequately compensate for
the loss of such individuals. Each of Messrs. Girgenti and Milton and certain
other executive officers of the Company have entered into employment agreements
with the Company. Each member of the Company's management and other key
employees have or will have executed confidentiality and non-solicitation
agreements that restrict such persons from misappropriating confidential
information during such person's term of employment and thereafter and from
soliciting the Company's clients, prospects or employees following termination
of employment. Notwithstanding such agreements, in the event of loss of any such
personnel there can be no assurance that the Company would be able to prevent
the unauthorized disclosure or use of its knowledge, practices, procedures or
client lists. See 'Management.'
    
 
     UNCERTAINTY IN HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY AND POSSIBLE HEALTH CARE REFORM.  The
health care industry is subject to changing political, economic and regulatory
influences that may affect pharmaceutical and other health care companies,
particularly with respect to spending by such companies on marketing and
communications services to promote their products. Numerous governments have
undertaken efforts to control growing health care costs through legislation,
regulation and voluntary agreements with medical care providers and
pharmaceutical and other health care product companies. Implementation of
government health care reform may adversely affect marketing expenditures by
pharmaceutical and other health care companies which could
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
decrease the business opportunities available to the Company. Management is
unable to predict the likelihood of health care reform legislation being enacted
or the effects such legislation would have on the Company. In addition, the
success of the Company's growth strategy depends on its ability to take
advantage of certain industry trends, including continued increases in overall
spending levels by pharmaceutical and other health care companies for marketing
and communications services. Such growth in spending levels has evolved rapidly
in recent years and the Company is unable to predict whether such growth in
spending will continue at present levels or at all. The Company's results of
operations could be materially adversely affected in the event the Company is
unable to respond effectively to the enactment of health care reform legislation
or changing industry trends which may affect future spending levels by
pharmaceutical and other health care companies for marketing and communications
services. See 'Business--Industry Background.'
 
     INSURANCE AND POTENTIAL LITIGATION.  The Company, as part of its business,
develops marketing and communications campaigns and materials and provides
contract sales services with respect to pharmaceutical and other health care
products, including newly developed drugs and other health care products. As a
result, the Company may, in the future, be subject to certain types of
litigation, including claims arising from false or misleading statements made
with respect to the use or efficacy of such pharmaceutical and health care

products or, in limited circumstances, product liability claims. Certain of the
Company's contracts with its clients provide for the client to indemnify the
Company against such liabilities. In addition, the Company maintains liability
insurance, although there can be no assurance that the coverage maintained by
the Company will be sufficient to cover all future claims. In certain limited
circumstances, however, the Company is obligated to indemnify its clients with
respect to such claims and liabilities. The Company could be materially and
adversely affected if it were required to pay damages or bear the costs of
defending any claim outside the scope of or in excess of a contractual
indemnification provision or beyond the level of insurance coverage or in the
event that an indemnifying party does not fulfill its indemnification
obligations. Even if any such claim was without merit, defending against such
claim could result in adverse publicity and diversion of management's time and
attention and could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
 
   
     CONTROL OF THE COMPANY.  Upon completion of the Offering, certain directors
and executive officers of the Company will collectively own approximately 70% of
the Company's outstanding Common Stock. Consequently, such stockholders will be
able to control the outcome of matters submitted to a vote by the Company's
stockholders, such as the election of the Company's Board of Directors, and
control the direction and future operations of the Company. Healthworld's
Certificate of Incorporation allows for any action which can be taken at a
meeting of its stockholders to be taken by written consent in lieu of a meeting.
Such concentrations of share ownership and ease of stockholder action may have
the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control of the
Company. See 'Principal Stockholders.'
    
 
   
     DILUTION.  Immediately upon issuance of the Common Stock offered hereby at
an assumed initial public offering price of $8.75 per share, purchasers of the
Common Stock will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the pro forma
net tangible book value per share of Common Stock of $6.23. See 'Dilution.'
    
 
     FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE RISKS.  Exchange rates for some local currencies in
countries where the Company currently operates or may operate in the future may
fluctuate in relation to the U.S. Dollar and such fluctuations may have an
adverse effect on the Company's earnings or assets when local currencies are
translated into U.S. Dollars. In particular, because Milton currently operates
only in the United Kingdom, the Company is susceptible to foreign exchange rate
fluctuations between the British Pound Sterling and the U.S. Dollar. Any
weakening of the value of a local currency, including the British Pound
Sterling, against the U.S. Dollar could result in lower revenues and earnings
for the Company when such local currencies are translated into U.S. Dollars.
Therefore, there can be no assurance that currency exchange rates will not have
a material adverse effect on the Company. See 'Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.'
 
   
     NO PRIOR MARKET FOR THE COMMON STOCK; DETERMINATION OF OFFERING
PRICE.  Prior to the Offering, there has been no public market for the Common
Stock of Healthworld. The initial public offering price for the Common Stock has

been determined through negotiations between the Company and the Representatives
based on such factors as the earnings prospects of the Company and prevailing
market conditions, and does not necessarily bear any relationship to the
Company's book value, past operating results or other established criteria of
value. Such price may not be indicative of the market price of the Common Stock
after the Offering has been
    
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
consummated. The Common Stock has been approved for quotation on The Nasdaq
National Market under the symbol 'HWLD.' There can be no assurance that an
active trading market for the Common Stock will be established, or if so
established, sustained. See 'Underwriting.'
 
     After the Offering, the market price of the Common Stock may be subject to
significant fluctuations in response to numerous factors, including, but not
limited to, variations in the annual or quarterly financial results of the
Company, changes by financial research analysts in their estimates of the
earnings of the Company, conditions in the economy in general or in the
Company's industry in particular, unfavorable publicity or changes in applicable
laws and regulations (or judicial or administrative interpretations thereof)
affecting the Company or the health care communications industry. From
time-to-time, the stock market experiences significant price and volume
volatility, which may affect the market price of the Common Stock for reasons
unrelated to the Company's performance.
 
   
     SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE.  Upon completion of the Offering, there
will be 7,100,000 shares of Common Stock outstanding, of which the 2,100,000
shares sold pursuant to the Offering will be tradeable without restriction by
persons other than 'affiliates' of the Company. The remaining 5,000,000 shares
of Common Stock, which were issued in connection with the Consolidation, are
'restricted' securities within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the 'Securities Act'), and may not be sold in the absence of
registration under the Securities Act or an exemption therefrom, including the
exemptions contained in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. No prediction can be
made as to the effect, if any, that future sales of shares of Common Stock will
have on the market price of the Common Stock prevailing from time-to-time. Sales
of substantial amounts of Common Stock, or the perception that these sales could
occur, could adversely affect prevailing market prices for the Common Stock and
could impair the ability of the Company to raise additional capital through the
sale of its equity securities or through debt financing. The Company and its
officers and directors and the stockholders of GHB&M and Milton who received
shares of Common Stock in the Consolidation have entered into agreements (the
'Lock-up Agreements') under which they have agreed not to offer, sell or
otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the
Company for a period of 180 days commencing upon the date of this Prospectus,
without the prior written consent of C. E. Unterberg, Towbin, other than sales
or issuances by the Company pursuant to the exercise of the Underwriters'
over-allotment option or pursuant to the grants of stock options under the
Company's 1997 Stock Option Plan. Thereafter, shares of Common Stock held by the
stockholders of GHB&M and Milton may be sold under Rule 144 under the Securities
Act, subject to the volume, manner of sale and other restrictions of Rule 144.

In addition, the Company has granted to such stockholders unlimited piggy-back
registration rights with respect to such shares, commencing one year from the
date of this Prospectus. See 'Shares Eligible for Future Sale' and
'Underwriting.'
    
 
     CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS.  Healthworld's Certificate of
Incorporation authorizes the Board of Directors of Healthworld to issue
preferred stock in one or more series with such rights and preferences as may be
determined from time-to-time by the Board of Directors. Accordingly, the Board
of Directors may, without stockholder approval, issue shares of preferred stock
with voting, dividend, liquidation, conversion or other rights which could
adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of Common
Stock. Although the Company does not currently intend to issue any shares of
preferred stock, there can be no assurance that the Company will not do so in
the future. The ability to issue preferred stock as described above, as well as
certain applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law relating
to business combinations, may have the effect of rendering more difficult,
delaying, discouraging or preventing an acquisition of the Company or change in
control of the Company. See 'Description of Capital Stock.'
 
     ABSENCE OF DIVIDENDS.  The Company has no current intention to pay
dividends on its Common Stock and anticipates that, for the foreseeable future,
working capital and earnings, if any, will be retained to finance the expansion
of its business and for general corporate purposes. See 'Dividend Policy' and
'Description of Capital Stock.'
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
                               THE CONSOLIDATION
 
   
     Healthworld was incorporated in Delaware on September 12, 1996 and
conducted no operations prior to the consummation of the Consolidation on
November 12, 1997. Healthworld entered into separate Agreements and Plans of
Organization (the 'Consolidation Agreements') in October 1997 with the
stockholders of GHB&M and Milton and, pursuant thereto, acquired GHB&M and
Milton on November 12, 1997. Prior to November 12, 1997, each of the companies
comprising GHB&M were owned by Steven Girgenti, the Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company, William Butler, the Executive Vice
President of Global Communications Services of GH, Herbert Ehrenthal, the
Executive Vice President of U.S. Communications Services of GH, and Francis
Hughes, a director of the Company and Creative Director of GH. Prior to November
12, 1997, Milton Marketing Group Limited ('MMGL') was owned by William Leslie
Milton, the Vice Chairman of the Board and President of the Company, and
minority interests of Milton Marketing Limited, Effective Sales Personnel (f/k/a
Milton Headcount Limited), PDM Communications Limited ('PDM') and Milton Cater
Limited, each a subsidiary of MMGL, were owned by Michael Bourne, Michael
Garnham (the Managing Director of U.K. Contract Sales Services), Leonard Moreton
and Claire Cater, respectively.
    
 
   
     Pursuant to the terms of the Consolidation Agreements, in exchange for all

of the shares of common stock of the companies comprising GHB&M and all of the
shares of common stock of the companies comprising Milton, including Milton's
minority interests, Healthworld issued an aggregate of 5,000,000 shares of its
Common Stock, of which 3,450,000 shares were issued to the stockholders of GHB&M
and 1,550,000 shares were issued to the stockholders of Milton, other than
Claire Cater, who did not receive any of such shares since her minority interest
was redeemed by Milton for no consideration pursuant to a prior agreement
between Milton and Ms. Cater. See 'Principal Stockholders.' The allocation of
the shares of Common Stock issued in the Consolidation to the GHB&M stockholders
was made in the same proportion as each such stockholder's current ownership
interest in the GHB&M companies. Of the shares of Common Stock issued to
Milton's stockholders, Mr. Milton received 1,290,984 shares and the minority
stockholders (other than Ms. Cater) received an aggregate of 259,016 shares. In
addition, pursuant to a pre-existing agreement between PDM and Leonard Moreton,
certain of the terms of which were incorporated in the Consolidation Agreements,
the Company will pay to Mr. Moreton no later than July 31, 1999 an amount in
cash up to approximately $320,000 based on the profits earned by PDM. As a
result of the Consolidation, all of the shares of GHB&M and Milton (including
the minority interests in the subsidiaries of Milton) were acquired by
Healthworld as described above, and GHB&M and Milton became wholly owned
subsidiaries of Healthworld.
    
 
   
     The Consolidation has been accounted for as a pooling of interests, which
method of accounting assumes that GHB&M and Milton have been combined from
inception and restates the historical financial statements for the periods prior
to the consummation of the Consolidation as though GHB&M and Milton had been
combined from inception. The acquisition by Healthworld of the minority
interests in certain of the subsidiaries comprising Milton occurred
simultaneously with the acquisition by Healthworld of GHB&M and MMGL, and has
been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting.
    
 
     Pursuant to the Consolidation Agreements, Messrs. Milton and Garnham and
each of the stockholders of GHB&M have agreed not to compete with the Company
for a two year period, and Messrs. Bourne and Moreton have agreed not to compete
with the Company for a six month period, commencing on the date of this
Prospectus. In addition, members of the Company's management have or will have
entered into agreements pursuant to which they will not compete with the Company
during their employment with the Company and for a certain time period
thereafter. See 'Management--Employment Agreements.'
 
   
     Prior to the consummation of the Consolidation, the companies comprising
GHB&M (other than Syberactive, Inc. ('Syberactive'), which is treated as a C
Corporation) elected to be treated as S Corporations under the Code, pursuant to
which income or loss of each of such companies was allocated to its stockholders
by inclusion in their respective individual income tax returns. As a result of
the consummation of the Consolidation, the status of each of the companies
comprising GHB&M as S Corporations terminated and each of the companies
comprising GHB&M became subject to Federal and state income taxes at applicable
corporate rates.
    

 
   
     In connection with the termination of the status of each of the companies
comprising GHB&M as S Corporations, GHB&M entered into an agreement under which,
prior to the consummation of the Consolidation, GHB&M sold approximately $2.6
million of its accounts receivable to an unaffiliated financial institution at a
discount rate equal to 2% of the gross face amount of the accounts receivable
sold (the 'Accounts Receivable Sale'). Immediately prior to the consummation of
the Consolidation, GHB&M made distributions (the 'S Corporation Distributions')
to its stockholders of $3.7 million in the aggregate from existing cash balances
for the payment by such stockholders of taxes due on GHB&M's estimated 1997 S
Corporation earnings through the date of the Consolidation (including taxable
earnings arising from the Accounts Receivable Sale). See 'Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operation--Liquidity and Capital Resources.'
    
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds from the sale of the 2,100,000 shares of Common Stock
offered hereby, at an assumed initial public offering price of $8.75 per share,
are estimated to be approximately $15.0 million, after deducting underwriting
discounts and commissions and other estimated expenses payable by the Company in
connection with the Offering (or approximately $17.5 million if the
Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full).
 
   
     The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for (i)
approximately $2.0 million of start-up and other funding costs related to the
expansion of the Company's contract sales operations into the United States,
(ii) approximately $1.3 million of capital expenditures associated with the
expansion of the Company's New York facility and the acquisition of additional
office furniture and computer equipment, and (iii) the repayment of a loan in
the principal amount of $456,000 which was originally issued in connection with
Milton's acquisition of Milton Headcount Limited (f/k/a Effective Sales
Personnel Limited), bears interest at the rate of 4% per annum and is payable in
March 1998. The remainder of such net proceeds will be used for working capital
and general corporate purposes, including (i) funding working capital needs
which will result from the Accounts Receivable Sale to be undertaken in
connection with the S Corporation Distributions of approximately $3.7 million,
and (ii) for potential acquisitions. The Company regularly evaluates and
discusses potential acquisitions. While the Company believes that opportunities
for future acquisitions are currently available, it currently has not entered
into any commitment, agreement or understanding with any third party with
respect to any possible acquisition, and there can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to identify or acquire suitable acquisition candidates, or
that if identified such acquisition candidate will be acquired by the Company or
successfully and profitably integrated into the Company. Pending use of the net
proceeds for the foregoing purposes, the Company intends to invest the net
proceeds in short-term, U.S. Dollar denominated, investment grade
interest-bearing securities. See 'The Consolidation,' 'Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations' and

'Business--Strategy--Growth Through Acquisitions.'
    
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
   
     Healthworld has never declared or paid a dividend on its Common Stock. The
companies comprising GHB&M, as S Corporations (other than Syberactive, which has
always been treated as a C Corporation), made cash distributions on their common
stock to the stockholders of GHB&M of an aggregate of $209,000 in fiscal 1995,
$1.5 million in fiscal 1996, $498,000 in fiscal 1997 through September 30, 1997,
and, immediately prior to the consummation of the Consolidation, made the S
Corporation Distributions of approximately $3.7 million. The companies
comprising Milton made cash distributions on their common stock to the
stockholders of Milton of an aggregate of $101,000 in fiscal 1995, none in
fiscal 1996 and $160,000 in fiscal 1997 through August 31, 1997.
    
 
   
     The Company intends to retain all earnings, if any, to finance the
expansion of its business and for general corporate purposes, including future
acquisitions, and does not anticipate paying any cash dividends on its Common
Stock for the foreseeable future. Any future determination to pay cash dividends
will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will be dependent on the
Company's financial condition, results of operations, financial requirements and
such other factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant.
    
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
                                    DILUTION
 
   
     At September 30, 1997, the Company had a pro forma net tangible book value
of $2.9 million, or $0.58 per share of Common Stock. Pro forma net tangible book
value per share is, after giving effect to the Consolidation and the S
Corporation Distributions, the Company's total pro forma tangible assets less
its pro forma total liabilities, divided by the number of shares of outstanding
Common Stock. Pro forma tangible assets are defined as the pro forma assets of
the Company, excluding intangible assets, such as goodwill. After giving effect
to the sale by the Company of 2,100,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby at
an assumed initial public offering price of $8.75 per share (and after deducting
underwriting discounts and commissions and Offering expenses payable by the
Company), the pro forma net tangible book value of the Company at September 30,
1997 would have been approximately $17.9 million or $2.52 per share. This
represents an immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book value of $1.94
per share to existing stockholders and an immediate dilution of $6.23 per share
to new investors. Dilution represents the difference between the initial public
offering price paid by purchasers in the Offering and the net tangible book
value per share immediately after completion of the Offering. The following
table illustrates this per share dilution:
    
 
   

<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>         <C>
Initial public offering price
  per share...................              $     8.75
  Pro forma net tangible book
     value per share before
     the Offering.............  $     0.58
  Increase in pro forma net
     tangible book value per
     share attributable to the
     sale of the Common Stock
     offered hereby...........        1.94
                                ----------
Pro forma net tangible book
  value per share after the
  Offering....................                    2.52
                                            ----------
Dilution per share to new
  investors...................              $     6.23
                                            ----------
                                            ----------
</TABLE>
    
 
     The following table sets forth, on a pro forma basis as of September 30,
1997, after giving effect to the Consolidation and the S Corporation
Distributions, a comparison of the number of shares of Common Stock acquired
from the Company, the total consideration paid to the Company and the respective
average purchase price per share paid by existing stockholders and new
investors. The following computations are based on an assumed initial public
offering price of $8.75 per share, before deducting the underwriting discounts
and commissions and estimated Offering expenses payable by the Company.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             SHARES PURCHASED       TOTAL CONSIDERATION
                                           --------------------    ----------------------        AVERAGE
                                            NUMBER      PERCENT      AMOUNT       PERCENT    PRICE PER SHARE
                                           ---------    -------    -----------    -------    ---------------
<S>                                        <C>          <C>        <C>            <C>        <C>
Existing stockholders...................   5,000,000      70.4%    $ 6,597,000(1)   26.4%         $1.32
New investors...........................   2,100,000      29.6%     18,375,000      73.6%          8.75
                                           ---------    -------    -----------    -------
  Total.................................   7,100,000     100.0%    $24,972,000     100.0%
                                           ---------    -------    -----------    -------
                                           ---------    -------    -----------    -------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------
(1) Represents the pro forma combined stockholders' equity of the Company before
    the Offering. See 'The Consolidation.'
 

                                       14
<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
     The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company at
September 30, 1997, which, pro forma, gives effect to the Consolidation and the
S Corporation Distributions, and pro forma as adjusted, gives effect to the
Consolidation, the S Corporation Distributions and the sale of 2,100,000 shares
of Common Stock offered hereby at an assumed initial public offering price of
$8.75 per share and the application of the estimated net proceeds therefrom. See
'The Consolidation,' 'Use of Proceeds' and 'Selected Pro Forma Financial
Information.' This table should be read in conjunction with the Pro Forma
Combining Financial Statements of the Company and the related notes thereto
included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                                          --------------------------
                                                         PRO FORMA
                                           PRO FORMA    AS ADJUSTED
                                          ------------  ------------
                                            (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT
                                                 SHARE DATA)
<S>                                       <C>           <C>
Long-term obligations, less current
  maturities............................  $     471     $     471
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred Stock, $.01 par value,
     1,000,000 shares authorized, no
     shares outstanding.................         --            --
  Common Stock, $.01 par value,
     20,000,000 shares authorized;
     5,000,000 shares outstanding, pro
     forma; 7,100,000 shares
     outstanding, pro forma as
     adjusted...........................         50            71
  Additional paid-in capital............      5,721        20,694
  Retained earnings.....................        826           826
                                          ------------  ------------
     Total stockholders' equity.........      6,597        21,591
                                          ------------  ------------
     Total capitalization...............  $   7,068     $  22,062
                                          ------------  ------------
                                          ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       15

<PAGE>
               SELECTED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     The following selected pro forma combined financial information gives
effect to the Consolidation, among other events, as more fully described in 'The
Consolidation,' and should be read in conjunction with the Company's unaudited
Pro Forma Combining Financial Statements and notes thereto, the Combined
Financial Statements of GHB&M and notes thereto, the Consolidated Financial
Statements of Milton and notes thereto, and 'Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations' contained elsewhere
in this Prospectus. The Consolidation will be accounted for as a pooling of
interests. The selected pro forma combined statement of income data for the
fiscal years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and for the fiscal nine
months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997 and the selected pro forma combined
balance sheet data as of December 31, 1995 and 1996 and September 30, 1997 are
derived from the Company's unaudited Pro Forma Combining Financial Statements
included elsewhere herein. The selected pro forma combined statement of income
data for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1992 and 1993, and the selected pro
forma combined balance sheet data as of December 31, 1992, 1993 and 1994, is
derived from the Company's unaudited Pro Forma Combining Financial Statements
not included herein. In the opinion of management, all such financial data
includes all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary
for a fair presentation of such data. Such financial data covers periods when
GHB&M and Milton were not under common control or management and may not be
indicative of results that would have been reported had the Consolidation and
the other pro forma adjustments occurred nor may it be indicative of the
Company's future financial or operating results.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, (1)              SEPTEMBER 30, (2)
                                              -----------------------------------------------    ------------------
                                               1992      1993      1994      1995      1996       1996       1997
                                              -------   -------   -------   -------   -------    -------    -------
                                                              (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                           <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
Revenues....................................  $10,569   $11,206   $13,081   $16,767   $24,209    $17,359    $23,186
                                              -------   -------   -------   -------   -------    -------    -------
Operating expenses:
  Salaries and related costs................    6,876     7,554     7,890     9,857    15,733     11,889     16,042
  Other operating expenses..................    2,596     3,321     3,727     4,469     5,274      3,729      4,358
                                              -------   -------   -------   -------   -------    -------    -------
                                                9,472    10,875    11,617    14,326    21,007     15,618     20,400
                                              -------   -------   -------   -------   -------    -------    -------
Income from operations......................    1,097       331     1,464     2,441     3,202      1,741      2,786
Interest expense, net.......................        7         8        14         2        69         15         (8)
                                              -------   -------   -------   -------   -------    -------    -------
Income before provision for income taxes....    1,090       323     1,450     2,439     3,133      1,726      2,794
Provision for income taxes(3)...............      436       106       613     1,038     1,305        723      1,182
                                              -------   -------   -------   -------   -------    -------    -------
Net income..................................  $   654   $   217   $   837   $ 1,401   $ 1,828    $ 1,003    $ 1,612
                                              -------   -------   -------   -------   -------    -------    -------

                                              -------   -------   -------   -------   -------    -------    -------
Earnings per share..........................  $  0.13   $  0.04   $  0.17   $  0.28   $  0.37    $  0.20    $  0.32
                                              -------   -------   -------   -------   -------    -------    -------
                                              -------   -------   -------   -------   -------    -------    -------
Shares used in computing earnings
  per share.................................    5,000     5,000     5,000     5,000     5,000      5,000      5,000
</TABLE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 DECEMBER 31, (1)
                                                ---------------------------------------------------    SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                 1992       1993       1994       1995       1996          1997
                                                -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------------
                                                                           (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital..............................   $ 2,461    $ 1,834    $ 2,391    $ 3,904    $ 4,132       $   594
Total assets.................................    11,327     13,792     13,913     18,774     22,659        22,677
Long-term debt, including current portion....     1,021        907        733      1,223      1,419         1,275
Stockholders' equity.........................     3,501      2,914      3,880      7,410      8,638         6,597
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------
(1) Includes financial data for GHB&M based on a December 31 fiscal year end and
    for Milton based on a November 30 fiscal year end.
 
(2) Includes financial data for GHB&M for the nine month period ended September
    30 and for Milton for the nine month period ended August 31.
 
   
(3) The status of the companies comprising GHB&M as S Corporations under the
    Code terminated upon the consummation of the Consolidation. The pro forma
    provision for income taxes reflects a provision for federal income taxes as
    if each of such entities were a C Corporation rather than an S Corporation
    for such periods. See 'The Consolidation.'
    
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
               SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF GHB&M AND MILTON
 
     The following selected financial information for each of GHB&M and Milton
should be read in conjunction with the Combined Financial Statements of GHB&M
and the notes thereto, the Consolidated Financial Statements of Milton and the
notes thereto, and 'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations' contained elsewhere in this Prospectus. The selected
combined statement of income data of GHB&M for the years ended December 31,
1994, 1995, 1996 and the selected combined balance sheet data as of December 31,
1995 and 1996 are derived from GHB&M's audited Combined Financial Statements
which are included elsewhere herein. The selected combined statement of income
data of GHB&M for the years ended December 31, 1992 and 1993 and the selected

combined balance sheet data as of December 31, 1992, 1993 and 1994 are derived
from GHB&M's unaudited Combined Financial Statements not included herein, and in
the opinion of management, include all adjustments necessary for a fair
presentation of such data. The selected combined statement of income data of
GHB&M for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997 and the selected
combined balance sheet data as of September 30, 1997 are derived from GHB&M's
unaudited Combined Financial Statements included elsewhere herein which, in the
opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring
adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the combined financial
position and results of operations of GHB&M. The selected consolidated statement
of income data of Milton for the years ended November 30, 1994, 1995 and 1996
and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of November 30, 1995 and
1996 are derived from Milton's audited Consolidated Financial Statements, which
are included elsewhere herein. The selected consolidated statement of income
data of Milton for the years ended November 30, 1992 and 1993 and the selected
consolidated balance sheet data as of November 30, 1992, 1993 and 1994 are
derived from Milton's audited Consolidated Financial Statements not included
herein, and in the opinion of management include all adjustments necessary for a
fair presentation of such data. The selected consolidated statement of income
data of Milton for the nine months ended August 31, 1996 and 1997 and the
selected consolidated balance sheet data as of August 31, 1997 are derived from
Milton's unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein
which, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting of
normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the
consolidated financial position and results of operations of Milton. The results
of operations of GHB&M for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and of
Milton for the nine months ended August 31, 1997 are not necessarily indicative
of the results for the full fiscal year.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      GHB&M
                             ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                                         NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                           SEPTEMBER 30,
                             -----------------------------------------------   -------------------------------------
                              1992      1993      1994      1995      1996           1996                1997
                             -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -----------------   -----------------
<S>                          <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>                 <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
Revenues...................  $ 9,036   $ 9,234   $10,415   $12,368   $14,314        $10,165             $12,562
                             -------   -------   -------   -------   -------       --------            --------
Income from operations.....      991        16     1,088     1,927     2,183          1,130               2,259
Net income.................      927        11     1,067     1,816     2,049          1,096               2,176
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   DECEMBER 31,
                                                ---------------------------------------------------    SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                 1992       1993       1994       1995       1996          1997
                                                -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------------
<S>                                             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>

BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital..............................   $ 2,606    $ 1,974    $ 2,455    $ 4,061    $ 4,668       $ 5,403
Total assets.................................    10,264     11,190     12,232     13,287     14,049        16,237
Long-term debt, including current portion....       875        785        587         82        223           151
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               MILTON
                                               ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                                                  NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                           YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30,                    AUGUST 31,
                                               -----------------------------------------------   --------------------
                                                1992      1993      1994      1995      1996      1996        1997
                                               -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   ----------
<S>                                            <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
Revenues.....................................  $ 1,533   $ 1,972   $ 2,666   $ 4,399   $ 9,895   $ 7,194    $ 10,624
                                               -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   ----------
Income from operations.......................      106       315       390       558     1,085       663         579
Net income...................................       64       230       222       316       502       276         151
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   NOVEMBER 30,
                                                ---------------------------------------------------    AUGUST 31,
                                                 1992       1993       1994       1995       1996         1997
                                                -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    ----------
<S>                                             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital..............................   $  (145)   $  (140)   $   (64)   $  (157)   $  (536)    $ (1,109)
Total assets.................................     1,063      2,602      1,681      3,401      6,487        8,158
Long-term debt, including current portion....       146        122        146      1,141      1,196        1,124
</TABLE>
 
                                       17

<PAGE>
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company's
unaudited Pro Forma Combining Financial Statements and notes thereto, the
Combined Financial Statements of GHB&M and notes thereto and the Consolidated
Financial Statements of Milton and notes thereto appearing elsewhere herein.
 
INTRODUCTION
 
   
     Healthworld was formed in September 1996 and conducted no operations prior
to the consummation of the Consolidation on November 12, 1997. In October 1997,
Healthworld entered into the Consolidation Agreements pursuant to which
Healthworld acquired GHB&M and Milton on November 12, 1997. As a result of the
Consolidation, the entities comprising GHB&M and Milton have become wholly owned
subsidiaries of Healthworld, and Healthworld conducts all of its operations in
the marketing communications industry segment through GHB&M in the United States
and through Milton in the United Kingdom. For a discussion of the Consolidation
and other related events, including the S Corporation Distributions, see 'The
Consolidation.'
    
 
     GHB&M, which is based in New York City, is comprised of the following
affiliated entities: (i) Girgenti, Hughes, Butler & McDowell, Inc. ('GH'),
founded in 1986, which through (x) its GHB&M Division, has been providing
traditional advertising and promotion services and public relations services
since 1986, (y) Rubin Ehrenthal & Associates, a division acquired through a
merger with GH in 1991, specializes in DTC campaigns, and (z) its Data Health
Division, organized in March 1996, provides database marketing services; (ii)
Medical Education Technologies, Inc., organized in 1986, which provides medical
education services; (iii) Syberactive, organized in January 1996, which provides
interactive multimedia services; (iv) Brand Research Corporation, organized in
1992, which provides marketing research services; and (v) Black Cat Graphics,
Inc., organized in 1986, which creates graphic designs and artwork for
advertising and promotion campaigns.
 
     Milton, which is based in the United Kingdom, is comprised of the following
subsidiaries: (i) Milton Marketing Limited ('Milton Marketing'), organized in
1978, which provides traditional advertising and promotion services and
specializes in switching pharmaceutical products from prescription to 'over-the-
counter' status; (ii) Milton Headcount Limited ('Headcount') (f/k/a Effective
Sales Personnel Limited), originally formed as a division of Milton Marketing in
January 1994, which, along with Effective Sales Personnel Limited ('ESP') (f/k/a
Milton Headcount Limited), acquired in November 1995, provides contract sales
services; (iii) Milton Cater Limited ('Milton Cater'), organized in April 1996,
which provides public relations services; and (iv) PDM, acquired in November
1996, which provides direct marketing services.
 
     The following discussion relating to the pro forma combined historical
financial results of the Company covers periods prior to the Consolidation when
GHB&M and Milton were not under common control or management and, therefore, may
not be indicative of results that would have been reported had the Consolidation

and other pro forma adjustments occurred. Accordingly, the results of operations
for the Company discussed below may not be indicative of future financial or
operating results.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Company is retained by its clients on assignments ranging in duration
from several weeks to several years. The Company offers to its pharmaceutical
and other health care clients a comprehensive range of integrated services
throughout a product's life-cycle, from the development stage (pre-regulatory
approval) to product launch and continuing through the post-launch stage and, if
applicable, such product's switch from prescription to over-the-counter status.
 
     The Company derives its revenues from fees generated from providing
marketing and communications services to its clients. For services such as the
production of advertising and promotion materials and medical education
programs, fees are recognized when the production materials or programs are
completed. With respect to services such as consulting, publishing and public
relations, the Company is either paid a monthly retainer or bills on an actual
time incurred basis. Advance production billings represent project costs and
fees that are billed to clients as projects progress, and are recognized at
completion. Income for field marketing support is recognized as services are
provided. In limited circumstances, the Company derives revenues through
commissions on media and production costs.
 
     Milton operates only in the United Kingdom and, as a result, the Company is
susceptible to foreign exchange rate fluctuations between the British Pound
Sterling and the U.S. Dollar. The Company's financial statements are denominated
in U.S. Dollars, and accordingly, changes in the exchange rate between the
British
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
Pound Sterling and the U.S. Dollar will affect the translation of Milton's
financial results into U.S. Dollars for purposes of reporting the Company's
consolidated financial results.
 
     The Company has provided contract sales services since January 1994.
Currently, the Company's contract sales organization operates only in the United
Kingdom and provides its services primarily to consumer products companies,
utilities and other non-health care related companies. The Company began
providing contract sales services to pharmaceutical and other health care
companies in order to take advantage of the increased use by such companies in
the United Kingdom of contract sales forces to market their products in May 1997
and as of September 30, 1997 revenues generated from such clients were not
significant. The Company intends to expand its contract sales operations into
the United States by the end of the second quarter of 1998 and anticipates that
such operations will focus almost exclusively on pharmaceutical and other health
care products.
 
     A significant portion of the Company's growth in recent years is
attributable to the expansion of the Company's contract sales operations.
Revenues from contract sales services for the fiscal years ended December 31,
1994, 1995 and 1996 and for the fiscal nine months ended September 30, 1996 and

1997 were $280,000, $1.5 million, $6.6 million, $4.9 million and $7.7 million,
respectively, and represented 2.0%, 9.0%, 27.0%, 28.5% and 33.1%, respectively,
of the Company's pro forma combined revenues. As a result of the continued
growth and planned expansion of the Company's contract sales operations, the
Company anticipates that, in the future, revenues derived from contract sales
will continue to increase as a percentage of total revenues. In addition,
although profit margins for contract sales have been lower than profit margins
for other marketing and communications services, the Company believes that the
growth in its specialty pharmaceutical and health care contract sales services
will result in higher profit margins for contract sales in the future. Due to
the labor intensive nature of providing contract sales services, the Company
anticipates that its direct labor costs will increase as its contract sales
operations grow, and that the Company's working capital requirements will also
increase in order to enable the Company to fund such increases in business.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS--THE COMPANY
 
     The following table set forth certain pro forma combined income statement
data of the Company expressed as a percentage of revenues for the periods
indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        NINE MONTHS
                                                                                           ENDED
                                                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,       SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                   (1)                      (2)
                                                        -------------------------     ---------------
                                                        1994      1995      1996      1996      1997
                                                        -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
<S>                                                     <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Revenues............................................    100.0%    100.0%    100.0%    100.0%    100.0%
Operating expenses:
  Salaries and related costs........................     60.3      58.8      65.0      68.5      69.2
  Other operating expenses..........................     28.5      26.6      21.8      21.5      18.8
                                                        -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
                                                         88.8      85.4      86.8      90.0      88.0
                                                        -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
Income from operations..............................     11.2      14.6      13.2      10.0      12.0
Interest expense, net...............................      0.1      --         0.3      --        --
                                                        -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
Income before provisions for income taxes...........     11.1      14.6      12.9      10.0      12.0
Provision for income taxes..........................      4.7       6.2       5.3       4.2       5.0
                                                        -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
Net income..........................................      6.4%      8.4%      7.6%      5.8%      7.0%
                                                        -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
                                                        -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
(1) Includes financial data for GHB&M based on a December 31 fiscal year end and
    for Milton based on a November 30 fiscal year end.
(2) Includes financial data for GHB&M for the nine month period ended September
    30 and for Milton for the nine month period ended August 31.

 
FISCAL NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 COMPARED TO FISCAL NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
 
     Revenues for the first nine months of 1997 were $23.2 million, an increase
of $5.8 million, or 33.6%, from $17.4 million for the first nine months of 1996.
Of such increase, (i) $2.8 million was primarily attributable to the growth of
the Company's advertising and promotion services, which resulted primarily from
new projects from existing clients and (ii) $2.7 million was attributable to the
growth of the Company's contract sales operations, which resulted primarily from
additional business relating to the duration and size of assignments for
existing clients and new clients. Such increases were partially offset by a
decline in revenues from medical education services resulting from the timing of
clients' medical education related activities.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
     Salaries and related costs include all compensation and related benefits
for all employees and contracted talent. Salaries and related costs for the
first nine months of 1997 were $16.0 million, an increase of $4.1 million, or
34.9%, from $11.9 million for the first nine months of 1996. Such increase was
primarily attributable to (i) $1.8 million of labor and other direct costs
relating to the growth of the Company's contract sales operations, (ii) $1.1
million relating to additional staff hired to support the increased level of
business activity in the United States, and (iii) $600,000 relating to staffing
costs in the United Kingdom incurred in anticipation of increased business
activity in advertising and promotion and public relations. Salaries and related
costs represented 69.2% of revenues in the first nine months of 1997, compared
to 68.5% in the first nine months of 1996. Such increase, as a percentage of
revenues, was primarily attributable to growth of the Company's contract sales
operations and the corresponding increase in labor costs and increased staffing
costs. Generally, labor costs associated with contract sales operations are
greater as a percentage of corresponding revenues than those for the Company's
other services.
 
     Other operating expenses primarily include rent and occupancy, client
development and other related administrative costs. Other operating expenses for
the first nine months of 1997 were $4.4 million, an increase of $629,000, or
16.9%, from $3.7 million for the first nine months of 1996. Such increase was
primarily attributable to (i) increased miscellaneous costs of $382,000
primarily related to increased business development costs and (ii) additional
rent and occupancy costs of $306,000 primarily related to the expansion of
office space in the United Kingdom in connection with the acquisition by Milton
of PDM in November 1996 and the growth of the Company's contract sales
operations, partially offset by a decrease in professional costs. Other
operating expenses represented 18.8% of revenues in the first nine months of
1997, compared to 21.5% of revenues in the first nine months of 1996. The
decrease in other operating expenses, as a percentage of revenues, was primarily
attributable to such expenses generally being fixed relative to increases in the
Company's revenues.
 
     Income from operations for the first nine months of 1997 was $2.8 million,
an increase of $1.1 million, or 60.0%, from $1.7 million for the first nine
months of 1996. Income from operations represented 12.0% of revenues in the

first nine months of 1997, compared to 10.0% in the first nine months of 1996.
 
     The provision for income taxes for the first nine months of 1997 was $1.2
million, an increase of $459,000, or 63.5%, from $723,000 for the first nine
months of 1996. Such increase was primarily attributable to higher income before
taxes in the first nine months of 1997, as compared to the first nine months of
1996. The effective tax rate was 42.3% for the first nine months of 1997,
compared to 41.9% for the first nine months of 1996. The provision for income
taxes reflects a provision for Federal income taxes as if each of the companies
comprising GHB&M were treated as C Corporations rather than S Corporations for
such periods.
 
FISCAL 1996 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1995
 
     Revenues for 1996 were $24.2 million, an increase of $7.4 million, or
44.4%, from $16.8 million for 1995. Of such increase, (i) $5.1 million was
attributable to the growth of the Company's contract sales operations, of which
$2.5 million was attributable to the operations of Headcount (acquired in
November 1995) and the remainder was primarily attributable to additional
business from new clients, and (ii) $1.3 million, $300,000, $300,000 and
$200,000 was attributable to additional revenues from advertising and promotion,
medical education, consulting and public relations services, respectively, which
all resulted primarily from new projects from existing clients.
 
     Salaries and related costs for 1996 were $15.7 million, an increase of $5.8
million, or 59.6%, from $9.9 million for 1995. Such increase was primarily
attributable to (i) $3.4 million of labor and other direct costs related to the
Company's contract sales operations, (ii) $1.5 million for additional staff
hired to support the higher level of business activity, (iii) $500,000 for
annual salary increases, and (iv) $400,000 related to the retention of the staff
of Headcount as a result of its acquisition by Milton. Salaries and related
costs represented 65.0% of revenues in 1996, compared to 58.8% in 1995. Such
increase, as a percentage of revenues, was primarily attributable to the growth
of the Company's contract sales operations and the corresponding increase in
labor costs of such operations, and increases in salaries and other costs.
 
     Other operating expenses for 1996 were $5.3 million, an increase of
$805,000, or 18.0%, from $4.5 million for 1995. Such increase was primarily
attributable to additional rent and occupancy costs of $500,000 primarily
related to expanded office space, and increased business development costs of
$300,000 in the United States and the United Kingdom. Other operating expenses
represented 21.8% of revenues in 1996, compared to 26.6% in 1995. The decrease
in other operating expenses, as a percentage of revenues, was primarily
attributable to such expenses generally being fixed relative to increases in the
Company's revenues.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
     Income from operations for 1996 was $3.2 million, an increase of $761,000,
or 31.2%, from $2.4 million for 1995. Income from operations represented 13.2%
of revenues in 1996, compared to 14.6% in 1995.
 
     The provision for income taxes for 1996 was $1.3 million, an increase of
$267,000, or 25.7%, from $1.0 million for 1995. Such increase was primarily

attributable to higher income before taxes in 1996, as compared to 1995. The
effective tax rate was 41.7% in 1996, compared to 42.6% in 1995. The provision
for income taxes reflects a provision for Federal income taxes as if each of the
companies comprising GHB&M were treated as C Corporations rather than S
Corporations for such periods.
 
FISCAL 1995 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1994
 
     Revenues for 1995 were $16.8 million, an increase of $3.7 million, or
28.2%, from $13.1 million for 1994. Of such increase (i) $1.3 million was
attributable to growth in the Company's advertising and promotion services,
resulting primarily from new projects from existing clients, (ii) $1.2 million
was attributable to the expansion of the Company's contract sales operations
resulting primarily from business from new clients as such operations continued
to grow, (iii) $600,000 was attributable to the growth in medical education
services, resulting primarily from the completion of two significant projects in
fiscal 1995, and (iv) $300,000 was attributable to growth in publishing
services, resulting from an increase in billing rates.
 
     Salaries and related costs for 1995 were $9.9 million, an increase of $2.0
million, or 24.9%, from $7.9 million for 1994. Such increase primarily resulted
from $1.1 million related to the addition of staff, primarily in the U.S., to
support the higher level of business activity, and $800,000 of additional labor
and other direct costs of the Company's contract sales operations. Salaries and
related costs represented 58.8% of revenues in 1995, compared to 60.3% in 1994.
 
     Other operating expenses for 1995 were $4.5 million, an increase of
$742,000, or 19.9%, from $3.7 million for 1994. Such increase primarily resulted
from additional rent and occupancy costs of $300,000 primarily related to
additional office space, and additional business development costs of $500,000,
which was partially offset by a decrease in professional fees. Other operating
expenses represented 26.6% of revenues in 1995, compared to 28.5% in 1994.
 
     Income from operations for 1995 was $2.4 million, an increase of $977,000,
or 66.7%, from $1.5 million in 1994. Income from operations represented 14.6% of
revenues in 1995, compared to 11.2% in 1994.
 
     The provision for income taxes for 1995 was $1.0 million, an increase of
$425,000, or 69.3%, from $613,000 for 1994. The increase was primarily
attributable to higher income before taxes in 1995, as compared to 1994. The
effective tax rate was 42.6% in 1995, compared to 42.3% in 1994. The provision
for income taxes reflects a provision for Federal income taxes as if each of the
companies comprising GHB&M were treated as C Corporations rather than S
Corporations for such periods.
 
QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS
 
   
     GHB&M's and Milton's results of operations have been, and the Company's
results of operations are expected to be, subject to quarterly fluctuations.
Generally, GHB&M's and Milton's revenues and profits are lowest in the first
quarter and highest in the fourth quarter. GHB&M's and Milton's quarterly
revenue trends result from a number of factors including, among other things,
the timing of commencement, completion or cancellation of major projects and

industry billing practices which are tied to clients' annual marketing budgets,
while GHB&M's and Milton's communications services expenses generally remain
constant. The Company's quarterly results may fluctuate as a result of such
factors and a number of additional factors, including delays or costs associated
with acquisitions, government regulatory initiatives and conditions in the
health care industry generally. The Company believes that because of such
fluctuations, quarterly comparisons of its financial results cannot be relied
upon as an indication of future performance.
    
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
     The following table sets forth, on a quarterly basis, certain pro forma
combined financial information of the Company for the periods indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    1995(1)                                  1996(1)                             1997(1)
                     -------------------------------------    -------------------------------------    ---------------------------
                       1ST       2ND       3RD       4TH        1ST       2ND       3RD       4TH        1ST       2ND       3RD
                     QUARTER   QUARTER   QUARTER   QUARTER    QUARTER   QUARTER   QUARTER   QUARTER    QUARTER   QUARTER   QUARTER
                     -------   -------   -------   -------    -------   -------   -------   -------    -------   -------   -------
                                                               (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                  <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>
Revenues...........  $3,387    $3,910    $4,235    $5,235     $4,705    $6,100    $5,954    $7,450     $6,278    $7,473    $9,435
Operating expenses:
  Salaries and
    related costs..   2,209     2,245     2,523     2,880      3,691     4,010     3,782     4,250      4,808     5,083     6,151
  Other operating
    expenses.......     748     1,064     1,350     1,307      1,296     1,325     1,324     1,329      1,270     1,513     1,575
                     -------   -------   -------   -------    -------   -------   -------   -------    -------   -------   -------
                      2,957     3,309     3,873     4,187      4,987     5,335     5,106     5,579      6,078     6,596     7,726
                     -------   -------   -------   -------    -------   -------   -------   -------    -------   -------   -------
Income from
  operations.......  $  430    $  601    $  362    $1,048     $ (282 )  $  765    $  848    $1,871     $  200    $  877    $1,709
                     -------   -------   -------   -------    -------   -------   -------   -------    -------   -------   -------
                     -------   -------   -------   -------    -------   -------   -------   -------    -------   -------   -------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
(1) Includes financial data for GHB&M based on quarterly fiscal periods for a
    December 31 fiscal year end and for Milton based on quarterly fiscal periods
    for a November 30 fiscal year end.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
   
     Healthworld is a holding company whose principal assets are the common
stock of GHB&M and Milton. The principal sources of funds for Healthworld are
dividends from GHB&M and Milton and, upon consummation of the Offering, the
proceeds of the Offering.
    
 
     GHB&M's cash provided by operations for the nine months ended September 30,

1997 was $1.1 million and was comprised of net income of $2.2 million, non-cash
charges of $570,000, a decrease in accounts receivable of $109,000, an increase
in accounts payable of $938,000, and an increase in accrued expenses of
$294,000, partially offset by (i) an increase in unbilled production charges of
$1.6 million, (ii) an increase in other assets of $989,000, and (iii) a decrease
in advanced production billings of $500,000. GHB&M's cash used in investing
activities for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 was $450,000 consisting
of capital expenditures. GHB&M's cash used in financing activities for the nine
months ended September 30, 1997 was $970,000 and was primarily comprised of S
Corporation distributions to stockholders of $498,000 and the repayment of bank
debt of $472,000, in the aggregate. GHB&M's accounts receivable tend to be
highest during the fourth quarter as a result of the timing of GHB&M's billings
to its clients, which generally are highest in the fourth quarter. The higher
billings in the fourth quarter are attributable to a number of factors,
including the timing of commencement, completion or cancellation of major
projects and industry billing practices which are tied to annual marketing
budgets. GHB&M's unbilled production charges may vary from period to period
depending primarily on the stage of completion of the Company's ongoing projects
for its clients.
 
     Milton's cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended August
31, 1997 was $349,000 and was comprised of (i) an increase in accounts
receivable of $1.3 million, (ii) an increase in unbilled production charges of
$109,000, (iii) an increase in other current assets and other assets of
$285,000, partially offset by an increase in accounts payable and accrued
expenses of $523,000, an increase in advance billings of $378,000, and non-cash
charges of $346,000. Milton's cash used in investing activities for the nine
months ended August 31, 1997 was $53,000, consisting of capital expenditures of
$128,000, partially offset by the sale of fixed assets of $75,000. Milton's cash
provided by financing activities for the nine months ended August 31, 1997 was
primarily comprised of additional bank overdraft borrowings of $748,000,
partially offset by repayment of bank loans and capital lease obligations of
$186,000, and the payment of dividends of $160,000.
 
     Cash provided by operations of the Company on a combined basis for fiscal
1996 was $3.4 million and primarily consisted of net income for the period of
$2.6 million, a reduction in unbilled production charges of $1.6 million, and an
increase in accrued liabilities of $885,000, partially offset by an increase in
accounts receivable of $2.1 million and a reduction in accounts payable of
$394,000. Cash used in investing activities of the Company on a combined basis
for fiscal 1996 was $913,000 and was primarily attributable to capital
expenditures of $721,000, the acquisition of PDM and an additional equity
interest in Milton Marketing for an aggregate of $242,000. Cash used in
financing activities of the Company on a combined basis for fiscal 1996 was $1.4
million and was primarily comprised of S Corporation distributions to
stockholders of $1.5 million and repayment of long-term debt and capital lease
obligations of $66,000, which were partially financed by net proceeds from line
of credit and bank overdraft borrowings of $109,000.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
     With respect to the Company's billing practices for its non-contract sales
services, fee billings for time incurred are billed either on a monthly retainer
basis or in each month following a month in which services were provided by the

Company. Production billings are progress billed when costs are incurred and
final billed when completed. Fees for a portion of contract sales services are
advanced billed prior to commencement of the assignment and the remainder of
such fees are billed in the month following the month in which services were
provided by the Company. GHB&M and Milton have each maintained reserves for bad
debts, although neither GHB&M nor Milton has incurred any material losses from
bad debts. The Company does not expect to incur any material losses from bad
debts, although there can be no assurance to such effect. The Company believes
that the continued growth and planned expansion of its contract sales operations
will not materially adversely affect its ability to bill and collect on a timely
basis for services provided.
    
     GHB&M's bank borrowings from Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. (the 'GHB&M Credit
Facility') consist of (i) an uncommitted line of credit (the 'GHB&M Line of
Credit') which expires on June 30, 1998 and bears interest at the bank's prime
rate (8.5% as of November 10, 1997) plus 1.0% per annum, pursuant to which GHB&M
may request borrowings of, but the bank is not obligated to lend, up to $3.5
million, (ii) a term note in the principal amount of $300,000 (the 'GHB&M Term
Note'), and (iii) a letter of credit in the amount of $300,000 (the 'GHB&M
Letter of Credit'). The GHB&M Credit Facility is secured by a first security
interest in GHB&M's personal property and is personally guaranteed by certain of
GHB&M's stockholders. The GHB&M Term Note, which was provided to GHB&M to
finance the construction of additional office space, had $151,000 outstanding as
of September 30, 1997 and bears interest at 7.75% per annum and is payable in 36
equal monthly installments with the last installment due February 1999. Although
no amounts were outstanding under the GHB&M Line of Credit as of September 30,
1997, $1.0 million was outstanding under the GHB&M Line of Credit as of 
November 10, 1997.
    
 
   
     Milton's borrowings consist of an overdraft facility (the 'Milton Overdraft
Facility') with Bank of Scotland ('Bank of Scotland') in an amount which was
reduced on October 31, 1997 from up to $1,222,500 to an aggregate amount of up
to $815,000. Amounts drawn under the Milton Overdraft Facility bear interest
payable at the United Kingdom base rate (7.0% as of August 31, 1997) plus 2.0%
per annum (the 'Prevailing Rate'). As of August 31, 1997, Milton had an
outstanding balance of approximately $1.2 million under the facility. Amounts
owed by Milton under the Milton Overdraft Facility, as well as any other amounts
which may be owed by Milton to Bank of Scotland, are secured under a debenture
pursuant to which any securities held by MMGL in its subsidiaries are pledged to
Bank of Scotland. The Milton Overdraft Facility expires on November 30, 1997,
unless renewed or extended by Bank of Scotland prior to such date. In addition,
as of August 31, 1997, Milton had the following outstanding indebtedness: (i) a
term loan from Bank of Scotland (the 'Milton Term Loan') in the principal amount
of $588,000 (of which $400,000 was outstanding on August 31, 1997), which bears
interest payable at the Prevailing Rate with principal payable in installments
of $58,000 each May and November through November 2000; (ii) a term loan in the
principal amount of $456,000 (all of which was outstanding), which bears
interest at the rate of 4% per annum, originally issued in connection with
Milton's acquisition of Headcount, under which principal is due and payable in
March 1998, and (iii) a term loan from National Westminster Bank plc in the
principal amount of $75,000 ($10,000 of which was outstanding as of August 31,
1997), which bears interest at 10.5% per annum payable in monthly installments,
with the final payment due in April 1998.
    
 

   
     As a result of the consummation of the Consolidation, the status of the
companies comprising GHB&M (other than Syberactive) as S Corporations terminated
and each of the companies comprising GHB&M is subject to Federal and state
income taxes at applicable corporate rates. In connection with the termination
of the S Corporation status of such companies, GHB&M entered into an agreement
with respect to the Accounts Receivable Sale pursuant to which, prior to the
consummation of the Consolidation, GHB&M sold approximately $2.6 million of its
accounts receivable to an unaffiliated financial institution at a discount rate
equal to 2% of the gross face amount of the accounts receivable sold. GHB&M's
obligations in connection with the Accounts Receivable Sale are secured by a
security interest in its existing and future accounts receivable and related
assets. Immediately prior to the consummation of the Consolidation, GHB&M made
the S Corporation Distributions to its stockholders of $3.7 million in the
aggregate from existing cash balances for payment by such stockholders of income
taxes due on S Corporation earnings. See 'The Consolidation.'
    
 
     The Company anticipates that capital expenditures for 1997 and 1998 will
total approximately $700,000 (of which $578,000 has been spent as of September
30, 1997) and $1.3 million, respectively. Such expenditures will primarily
include spending associated with the expansion of the Company's New York offices
and the acquisition of additional office furniture and computer equipment.
 
     Pursuant to the Consolidation Agreements, the Company will pay to one of
Milton's minority stockholders no later than July 31, 1999 an amount in cash up
to approximately $320,000 based on the profits earned by PDM.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
   
     As a result of the consummation of the Consolidation on November 12, 1997,
the entities comprising GHB&M and Milton have become wholly owned subsidiaries
of Healthworld and Healthworld operates as a holding company and conducts all of
its operations through GHB&M and Milton. The Company's primary capital needs
after the Offering will be for (i) approximately $2 million of start-up and
other funding costs relating to the expansion of the Company's contract sales
operations into the United States, (ii) approximately $1.3 million of capital
expenditures, (iii) the repayment of a term loan in the principal amount of
$456,000 which is due and payable in March 1998, (iv) funding working capital
requirements and general corporate purposes, including working capital needs
which will result from the Accounts Receivable Sale undertaken in connection
with the S Corporation Distributions of approximately $3.7 million, and (v)
potential acquisitions. The Company believes that cash generated from operations
of GHB&M and Milton and the net proceeds received by the Company from the
Offering will be sufficient to fund such capital needs on a short-term basis and
for at least the next 12 months.
    
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS--GHB&M
 
     GHB&M's revenues are derived primarily from providing advertising and
promotion, consulting, medical education, publishing and public relations
services to its clients.

 
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 COMPARED TO NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1996
 
     Revenues for the first nine months of fiscal 1997 were $12.6 million, an
increase of $2.4 million, or 23.6%, from $10.2 million for the first nine months
of fiscal 1996. This increase was primarily attributable to a $2.2 million
increase in revenues from advertising and promotion services and a $538,000
increase in revenues from consulting services, which increases were partially
offset by declines in revenues from medical education services. The increases in
advertising and promotion and consulting services resulted primarily from new
projects from existing clients. The decline in revenues derived from medical
education services primarily resulted from the timing of clients' medical
education related activities.
 
     Salaries and related costs include all compensation and related benefits
for all employees and contracted talent. Salaries and related costs for the
first nine months of fiscal 1997 were $7.8 million, an increase of $1.1 million,
or 16.8%, from $6.7 million for the first nine months of fiscal 1996. The
increase was primarily attributable to the additional staff hired to support the
increased level of business activity. Salaries and related costs represented
62.0% of revenues in the first nine months of fiscal 1997, as compared to 65.6%
in the first nine months of fiscal 1996.
 
     Other operating expenses primarily include rent and occupancy, client
development and other related administrative costs. Other operating expenses for
the first nine months of fiscal 1997 were $2.5 million, an increase of $146,000,
or 6.2%, from $2.4 million for the first nine months of fiscal 1996. Other
operating expenses represented 20.0% of revenues in the first nine months of
fiscal 1997, as compared to 23.3% in the first nine months of fiscal 1996.
 
     Income from operations for the first nine months of fiscal 1997 was $2.3
million, an increase of $1.2 million, from $1.1 million for the first nine
months of fiscal 1996. Income from operations represented 18.0% of revenues in
the first nine months of fiscal 1997, as compared to 11.1% in the first nine
months of fiscal 1996. The increase in income from operations, as a percentage
of revenues, resulted from the increase in revenues, without a commensurate
increase in operating expenses.
 
     The provision for income taxes for the first nine months of 1997 was
$177,000, an increase of $92,000 from $85,000 for the first nine months of 1996.
This increase was primarily attributable to higher income before taxes in the
first nine months of 1997, as compared to the first nine months of 1996. The
effective tax rate was 7.5% for the first nine months of 1997, compared to 7.2%
for the first nine months of 1996. As S Corporations, the companies comprising
GHB&M (other than Syberactive) were not taxed at the Federal level but were
subject to certain state corporate taxes and the New York City General
Corporation Tax.
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
     Revenues for fiscal 1996 were $14.3 million, an increase of $1.9 million,
or 15.7%, from $12.4 million for fiscal 1995. This increase was primarily
attributable to a $1.1 million increase in revenues from advertising and

promotion services, a $300,000 increase in revenues from consulting services and
a $300,000 increase in revenues from medical education services, all of which
principally resulted from new projects from existing clients.
 
     Salaries and related costs for fiscal 1996 were $8.9 million, an increase
of $1.6 million, or 22%, from $7.3 million for fiscal 1995. Of such increase,
$1.1 million was attributable to the additional staff hired to support the
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
higher level of business activity and $500,000 was attributable to annual salary
increases. Salaries and related costs represented 62.5% of revenues in fiscal
1996, as compared to 59.2% in fiscal 1995.
 
     Other operating expenses for fiscal 1996 were $3.2 million, an increase of
$76,000, or 2.4%, from $3.1 million for fiscal 1995. Other operating expenses
represented 22.3% of revenues in fiscal 1996, as compared to 25.2% in fiscal
1995.
 
     Income from operations for fiscal 1996 was $2.2 million, an increase of
$256,000, or 13.3%, from $1.9 million for fiscal 1995. Income from operations
represented 15.3% of revenues in fiscal 1996, as compared to 15.6% in fiscal
1995.
 
     The provision for income taxes for fiscal 1996 was $158,000, an increase of
$34,000, or 27.4%, from $124,000 in fiscal 1995. This increase was primarily
attributable to higher income before taxes in fiscal 1996, as compared to fiscal
1995. The effective tax rate was 7.2% in fiscal 1996, compared to 6.4% for
fiscal 1995. As S Corporations, the companies comprising GHB&M (other than
Syberactive) were not taxed at the Federal level but were subject to certain
state corporate taxes and the New York City General Corporation Tax.
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
 
     Revenues for fiscal 1995 were $12.4 million, an increase of $2.0 million,
or 18.8%, from $10.4 million for fiscal 1994. This increase was primarily
attributable to (i) an $800,000 increase in revenues from advertising and
promotion services, resulting primarily from additional business relating to new
projects from existing clients, (ii) a $600,000 increase in revenues from
medical education services, resulting primarily from the completion of two
significant projects in fiscal 1995, and (iii) a $300,000 increase in revenues
from publishing services, resulting primarily from an increase in billing rates.
 
     Salaries and related costs for fiscal 1995 were $7.3 million, an increase
of $910,000, or 14.2%, from $6.4 million for fiscal 1994. The increase was
primarily attributable to the additional staff hired to support the higher level
of business activity. Salaries and related costs represented 59.2% of revenues
in fiscal 1995, as compared to 61.6% in fiscal 1994.
 
     Other operating expenses for fiscal 1995 were $3.1 million, an increase of
$204,000, or 7.0%, from $2.9 million for fiscal 1994. This increase was
primarily attributable to increased new business development costs of $250,000
and additional rent and occupancy costs of $150,000 related to expanded office
space, which increases were partially offset by a decrease in professional fees

of $300,000. Other operating expenses represented 25.2% of revenues in fiscal
1995, as compared to 28% in fiscal 1994.
 
     Income from operations for fiscal 1995 was $1.9 million, an increase of
$839,000, or 77.1%, from $1.1 million for fiscal 1994. Income from operations
represented 15.6% of revenues in 1995, as compared to 10.4% in fiscal 1994. The
increase in income from operations, as a percentage of revenues, resulted from
decreases in both salaries and related costs and other operating expenses as a
percentage of revenues.
 
     The provision for income taxes for fiscal 1995 was $124,000, an increase of
$105,000, or 553.0%, from $19,000 in 1994. Such increase was attributable to an
increase in the effective tax rate of 6.4% in fiscal 1995, compared to 1.7% in
fiscal 1994, and higher income before taxes in fiscal 1995, as compared to
fiscal 1994. The increase in the effective tax rate was due to GHB&M's
relocation of its graphic design facility to New York City in fiscal 1995.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS--MILTON
 
     Milton's revenues are derived primarily from providing contract sales,
advertising and promotion and public relations services to its clients.
 
NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 31, 1997 COMPARED TO NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 31, 1996
 
     Revenues for the first nine months of fiscal 1997 were $10.6 million, an
increase of $3.4 million, or 47.7%, from $7.2 million for the first nine months
of fiscal 1996. Such increase was primarily attributable to (i) a $2.7 million
increase in revenues from contract sales services which resulted from additional
business relating to the duration and size of assignments for existing clients
and new clients, and (ii) a $527,000 increase in revenues from advertising and
promotion services, which was primarily attributable to the operations of PDM
(acquired in November 1996).
 
     Salaries and related costs include all compensation and related benefits
for all employees and contracted talent. Salaries and related costs for the
first nine months of fiscal 1997 were $8.3 million, an increase of $3.1 million,
or 58.1%, from $5.2 million for the first nine months of fiscal 1996. The
increase was primarily
attributable to (i) $1.8 million in increased labor and other direct costs
relating to Milton's contract sales operations, (ii) $600,000 relating to
staffing costs incurred in anticipation of increased business activity in
advertising and
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
promotion and public relations, which did not occur in the period, and (iii)
$350,000 relating to additional managerial staff hired to support the increased
level of contract sales activity. Salaries and related costs represented 77.7%
of revenues in the first nine months of fiscal 1997, compared to 72.6% in the
first nine months of fiscal 1996.
 
     Other operating expenses primarily include rent and occupancy, client
development and other related administrative costs. Other operating expenses for
the first nine months of fiscal 1997 were $1.8 million, an increase of $483,000,

or 36.8%, from $1.3 million for the first nine months of fiscal 1996. Such
increase was primarily attributable to $230,000 of additional rent and occupancy
costs related to expanded office space in connection with the acquisition of PDM
and growth of Milton's contract sales operations, and increased miscellaneous
costs of $245,000 primarily related to increased business development costs.
Other operating expenses represented 16.9% of revenues in the first nine months
of fiscal 1997, compared to 18.2% in the first nine months of fiscal 1996.
 
     Income from operations for the first nine months of fiscal 1997 was
$579,000, a decrease of $84,000, or 12.7%, from $663,000 for the first nine
months of fiscal 1996. Income from operations represented 5.4% of revenues for
the first nine months of fiscal 1997, compared to 9.2% in the first nine months
of fiscal 1996. Such declines were largely attributable to a reduction in the
number of products approved by the government for 'switching' a drug from
prescription to over-the-counter status. Milton has retained its talent pool in
anticipation of a reversal of such trend. Additionally, losses from the public
relations group added to the overall decline in income from operations. Milton
is in the process of reducing its overhead associated with public relations to
reflect current business activity.
 
     The provision for income taxes for the first nine months of fiscal 1997 was
$182,000, a decrease of $39,000 or 17.6%, from $221,000 for the first nine
months of fiscal 1996. The effective tax rate was 37.0% for the first nine
months of 1997 and 1996.
 
YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1996 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1995
 
     Revenues for fiscal 1996 were $9.9 million, an increase of $5.5 million, or
125.0%, from $4.4 million for fiscal 1995. Such increase was primarily
attributable to an increase of $5.1 million in revenues from Milton's contract
sales operations, including $2.5 million of revenues attributable to the
operations of Headcount (acquired by Milton in November 1995). The remainder of
such growth in contract sales services resulted primarily from additional
business from new clients.
 
     Salaries and related costs for fiscal 1996 were $6.8 million, an increase
of $4.3 million, or 168.0%, from $2.5 million for fiscal 1995. Of such increase,
approximately $3.4 million was attributable to labor and other direct costs
attributable to Milton's contract sales operations, $400,000 was attributable to
retaining the staff of Headcount (acquired by Milton in November 1995) and
$400,000 was attributable to the additional managerial staff hired to support
the increased level of business activity of Milton's contract sales operations.
Salaries and related costs represented 68.7% of revenues in fiscal 1996,
compared to 57.5% in fiscal 1995. As a percentage of revenues, Milton's contract
sales operations generally have higher labor costs than those for other
marketing and communications services.
 
     Other operating expenses for fiscal 1996 were $2.0 million, an increase of
$707,000, or 54.0%, from $1.3 million for fiscal 1995. This increase was
primarily attributable to additional rent and occupancy costs of $380,000
related to expanded office space and increased business development costs of
$180,000, both of which resulted from the growth of Milton's contract sales
operations (including the acquisition of ESP in November 1995) and the start-up
of Milton's public relations business in May 1996. Other operating expenses

represented 20.4% of revenues in fiscal 1996, compared to 29.8% in fiscal 1995.
The decrease, as a percentage of revenues, was primarily attributable to such
expenses generally being fixed relative to increases in Milton's revenues.
 
     Income from operations for fiscal 1996 was $1.1 million, an increase of
$527,000, or 94.4%, from $558,000 for fiscal 1995. Income from operations
represented 11.0% of revenues in 1996, compared to 12.7% in 1995.
 
     The provision for income taxes for fiscal 1996 was $366,000, an increase of
$207,000, or 130.2%, from $159,000 for fiscal 1995. This increase was primarily
attributable to higher income before taxes and minority interests in fiscal
1996, as compared to fiscal 1995. The effective tax rate was 37.0% in 1996, as
compared to 29.3% in fiscal 1995. The difference in effective tax rates was due
primarily to nondeductible goodwill in 1996 and United Kingdom marginal company
rate relief in fiscal 1995.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1995 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1994
 
     Revenues for fiscal 1995 were $4.4 million, an increase of $1.7 million, or
65.0%, from $2.7 million for fiscal 1994. The increase was primarily
attributable to (i) an increase of $1.2 million in revenues from Milton's
contract sales operations which resulted primarily from business from new
clients as such operations continued to grow, and (ii) an increase of $500,000
from advertising and promotion services which resulted from additional business
from new and existing clients.
 
     Salaries and related costs for fiscal 1995 were $2.5 million, an increase
of $1.0 million, or 71.7%, from $1.5 million for fiscal 1994. Of such increase,
$800,000 was attributable to labor and other direct costs of Milton's contract
sales operations, and the remainder was attributable to the addition of staff to
support the higher level of business activity and normal annual salary increases
to existing employees. Salaries and related costs represented 57.5% of revenues
in fiscal 1995, compared to 55.3% in fiscal 1994.
 
     Other operating expenses for fiscal 1995 were $1.3 million, an increase of
$508,000, or 63.3%, from $802,000 for fiscal 1994. This increase was primarily
attributable to additional business development costs of $200,000, additional
rent and occupancy costs of $100,000 and additional other operating expenses of
$100,000. Other operating expenses represented 30.0% of revenues in each of
fiscal 1995 and fiscal 1994.
 
     Income from operations for fiscal 1995 was $558,000, an increase of
$168,000, or 43.1%, from $390,000 for fiscal 1994. Income from operations
represented 12.7% of revenues in fiscal 1995, compared to 14.6% in fiscal 1994.
The decrease, as a percentage of revenues, was primarily attributable to the
growth of Milton's contract sales operations.
 
     The provision for income taxes for fiscal 1995 was $159,000, an increase of
$42,000, or 35.9%, from $117,000 for fiscal 1994. This increase was primarily
attributable to higher income before taxes and minority interests in fiscal
1995, as compared to fiscal 1994. The effective tax rate was 29.3% in 1995, as
compared to 31.0% in 1994. The difference in effective tax rates was due to

differences in United Kingdom marginal company rate relief in fiscal 1994.
 
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
     In March 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the 'FASB') issued
SFAS No. 128, 'Earnings Per Share.' This statement establishes standards for
computing and presenting earnings per share ('EPS'), replacing the presentation
of currently required Primary EPS with a presentation of Basic EPS. For entities
with complex capital structures, the statement requires the dual presentation
for both Basic EPS and Diluted EPS on the face of the statement of earnings.
Under this new standard, Basic EPS is computed based on weighted average common
shares outstanding and excludes any potential dilution; Diluted EPS reflects
potential dilution from the exercise or conversion of securities into common
stock, or from other contracts to issue common stock, and is similar to the
currently required Fully Diluted EPS. SFAS No. 128 is effective for financial
statements issued for periods ending after December 15, 1997, including interim
periods, and earlier application is not permitted. The adoption by the Company
of SFAS No. 128 will have no impact on the Company's reporting of EPS.
 
     In October 1995, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123, 'Accounting for Stock Based
Compensation.' The statement encourages, but does not require, companies to
account for stock compensation awards based on their fair value at the date the
awards are granted. The resulting compensation award would be shown as an
expense on the statement of earnings. Alternatively, the statement allows for
the continued use of Accounting Principles Boards ('APB') Opinion No. 25,
'Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,' which generally results in no
compensation cost for most fixed stock-option plans, with pro forma disclosure
of net income and earnings per share determined as if the fair value based
method had been applied in measuring compensation cost. The Company will adopt
SFAS No. 123 in fiscal 1997 by continuing to apply the provisions of APB Opinion
No. 25 while providing the required pro forma disclosures as if the fair value
method had been applied.
 
     In March 1995, the FASB issued SFAS No. 121, 'Accounting for the Impairment
of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed of,' which is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1995. SFAS No. 121
requires that long-lived assets be reviewed for impairment whenever events or
changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset in
question may not be recoverable. SFAS No. 121, which was adopted in fiscal 1996,
did not have a material impact on either GHB&M's or Milton's results of
operations, cash flows or financial position.
 
                                       27

<PAGE>
                                    BUSINESS
 
     The following presentation contains forward looking statements which
involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ
materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a
result of certain factors, including those set forth under 'Risk Factors' and
elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
OVERVIEW
 
     The Company is an international marketing and communications services
company specializing in health care. The Company provides many of the world's
largest pharmaceutical and other health care companies with a comprehensive
range of integrated strategic marketing services designed to accelerate the
market's acceptance of new products and to sustain marketability throughout
their life-cycles. The Company's services include advertising and promotion,
contract sales, consulting, publishing, medical education, public relations,
interactive multimedia, database marketing and marketing research services.
 
   
     Healthworld was incorporated in Delaware in September 1996 and conducted no
operations prior to the consummation of the Consolidation on November 12, 1997.
In connection with the Consolidation, the entities comprising GHB&M and Milton
became wholly owned subsidiaries of Healthworld on November 12, 1997, and
Healthworld conducts all of its operations in the United States through GHB&M
and in the United Kingdom through Milton. GHB&M and Milton have been operating
in the marketing and communications industry since April 1986 and August 1978,
respectively. See the Combined Financial Statements of GHB&M and the
Consolidated Financial Statements of Milton contained elsewhere in this
Prospectus.
    
 
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
 
     Pharmaceutical and other health care companies have been increasing their
spending on advertising, marketing and other communications services. Worldwide
spending by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies on promotional marketing
and contract sales is estimated to reach $5.9 billion in 1997 and to increase by
$1.0 billion by 1999. Additionally, $3.0 billion is spent annually on continuing
medical education. The Company believes that such growth will continue due to a
number of factors, including the following:
 
     NEED TO MAXIMIZE RETURNS ON NEW DRUGS.  In response to the increasing costs
and time required to develop and commercialize a new pharmaceutical product,
pharmaceutical companies implement marketing and communications programs to
achieve rapid market penetration for newly developed products. The cost of
developing a new clinical drug is estimated to be approximately $500 million,
and the research and development process for a new clinical drug, from the
beginning stages of research to obtaining final regulatory approval in the
United States, is estimated to take approximately 15 years. As a result, once a
pharmaceutical company is ready to begin commercial introduction of a newly
developed drug, only approximately five years of patent protection may remain.
In order to recoup their costs of development, maximize sales, develop brand

acceptance and loyalty and achieve a higher market share in the shortest time
period possible, pharmaceutical companies now begin their marketing efforts for
a new drug in its development stage and, upon regulatory approval and
commercialization, continue with sophisticated large-scale advertising and
marketing campaigns.
 
     CHANGES IN THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY.  In response to governmental and
market pressures to reduce the cost of health care services and products while
providing such services to a greater portion of the population, the health care
industry has undergone significant changes, including the emergence of managed
care as a primary means for delivery of and payment for such services and
products. Pharmaceutical and other health care companies and providers are being
forced to deliver a greater volume of services and products at reduced costs. In
addition to justifying health care services and products on the basis of safety
and efficacy, pharmaceutical and health care companies and providers must now
also focus increasingly on economic factors and cost-efficiency with respect to
their services and products. As a result, health care companies are spending
more money on marketing and communications services to educate health care
providers, consumers and managed care companies and other third party payor
organizations as to the cost-effectiveness, as well as safety and efficacy, of
their products.
 
     GROWTH OF DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER MARKETING.  During the last five years the use
of direct-to-consumer marketing ('DTC') to promote prescription drugs to
consumers has grown rapidly. Prior to the emergence of
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
DTC, prescription drugs were promoted almost exclusively to physicians. In 1996,
the first year in which more money was spent on DTC to promote prescription
drugs than on advertising to physicians, industry sources report that
pharmaceutical companies spent approximately $600 million on DTC, which is twice
as much as they spent in 1995 and almost 10 times more than in 1991, and that
figures for the first few months of 1997 suggest that the total may double again
and may exceed $1.0 billion for the year.
 
     The Company believes that the tremendous growth in DTC in the United States
(DTC is currently prohibited in Europe by governmental regulations) evolved in
response to the increased costs of developing and commercializing new drugs and
the changes brought about by health care reform and managed care, as well as
increased consumer awareness of, and participation in, decisions concerning
health care treatment. As a result, DTC was developed to create brand awareness
and brand loyalty among consumers and to motivate the consumer to specifically
request more information from their physician with respect to a specific brand
of drug to determine its appropriateness for their treatment. In the past, DTC
has been primarily communicated through print media due to regulations imposed
by the United States Food and Drug Administration (the 'FDA') that controlled
the content of television advertisements. In August 1997, the FDA relaxed such
regulations by allowing televised DTC campaigns to promote the benefits of
specific brand-name drugs while only displaying the major side effects and risks
of such drugs in an easily understood format, as compared to the previously
required display of complex and lengthy data. The Company believes that the
relaxation of such FDA regulations will contribute to the rapid growth of DTC,
which the Company expects will continue, and that pharmaceutical companies will

increasingly rely primarily on marketing and communications firms with
particular expertise in DTC of prescription drugs.
 
     INCREASED USE OF OUTSOURCED SALES AND MARKETING SERVICES.  Pharmaceutical
and other health care companies, in response to cost-containment pressures, are
increasingly outsourcing labor intensive, high cost services, including
marketing and sales and research functions. For example, the introduction of a
new drug requires the immediate availability of a large number of specially
trained sales personnel. As a result, pharmaceutical and other health care
companies are increasingly relying on contract sales organizations to assemble,
train and provide them with the largest possible sales force covering numerous
locations to achieve rapid market penetration and increased sales volume.
 
     NEW MEDIA.  Advances in technology are dramatically influencing the
delivery of marketing information. Recent developments in digital technology
such as CD-ROM, the World Wide Web, the Internet, laptop PC presentations and
interactive kiosks are revolutionizing the marketing industry. For example,
interactive multimedia are increasingly being used for patient and physician
education, sales force training and public relations. The Company believes that
pharmaceutical and other health care companies will continue to seek to retain
progressive marketing and communications companies that have the resources and
expertise to develop and incorporate interactive multimedia and other new
technology in their programs and campaigns.
 
     NEED FOR GLOBAL EXPERTISE.  The Company believes globalization is
developing as a result of the recent surge of multinational consolidations in
the pharmaceutical industry, increased foreign protection of intellectual
property, the development of large multi-country trading blocks which may lead
to reduced barriers to foreign commerce, and world-wide access to common
information through the development and use of new media. The Company believes
that in the future, pharmaceutical and other health care companies will seek to
retain marketing and communications firms specializing in health care that have
international reach and experience and are capable of developing multinational
campaigns, or campaigns on a region-by-region basis, with consistent concepts.
 
STRATEGY
 
     The Company's strategy is to capitalize on continued growth in marketing
and communications spending by pharmaceutical and other health care companies by
(i) maintaining and enhancing its creative excellence and technical expertise,
(ii) offering its clients a comprehensive range of integrated services, (iii)
continuing to specialize in health care marketing and communications services,
(iv) increasing its contract sales services, and (v) further expanding globally.
The Company intends to implement its strategy through internal development and
potential acquisitions.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
     MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE CREATIVE EXCELLENCE AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE.  The
Company seeks to recruit the best available creative talent to maintain its
creative excellence. The Company believes that its creative talent enables it to
develop new ways to effectively promote its clients' products. The Company
believes that GHB&M is an industry leader in the development of DTC campaigns
for prescription drugs and that Milton is an industry leader in the development

of marketing strategies and campaigns for 'switching' a drug from prescription
to
over-the-counter (non-prescription) status based on the number of assignments
GHB&M and Milton have performed in such respective areas. The Company believes
that GHB&M was one of the first firms to develop a DTC campaign for a
prescription drug. GHB&M currently has 12 DTC assignments. GHB&M, which has
consistently been recognized in the industry as one of the top health care
communications agencies, was named 'Agency of the Year' in 1993 and 1996 by Med
Ad News, a medical advertising and communications trade publication, based on a
number of criteria, including creative marketing ability and account wins and
losses, and was a finalist for such award in 1992 and 1994. GHB&M was also named
'Most Creative Agency' by Med Ad News in 1995, based on a poll of the presidents
of the top 50 communications agencies. In addition, the Company maintains a high
level of technological expertise and utilizes new interactive multimedia and
other new technologies in its programs and campaigns.
 
     OFFER A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF INTEGRATED SERVICES.  The Company believes
that its clients are continuing to expand their sales and marketing efforts and
require marketing and communications companies that can provide a comprehensive
range of integrated services. The Company's communications services include
advertising and promotion, publishing, medical education, public relations,
consulting, interactive multimedia and database marketing services. The Company
also provides contract sales and marketing research services. Through such
diversification, the Company is able to provide a specific service or cross-sell
multiple services to its clients within a fully integrated campaign. The Company
believes that it will continue to realize significant benefits by capitalizing
on available opportunities which may arise to increase the number of services it
provides.
 
     CONTINUED SPECIALIZATION IN HEALTH CARE.  The Company will continue to
focus on providing its services primarily to pharmaceutical and other health
care companies. The Company believes that its expertise in and understanding of
the business, consumer, scientific, medical and regulatory issues relating to
the health care industry are critical in developing the most effective marketing
campaigns and strategies with respect to pharmaceutical and other health care
products and services. The Company's staff includes physicians, pharmacists,
biologists and other personnel with extensive experience in providing marketing
and communications services to health care companies. The Company intends to
continue to recruit experienced health care and scientific professionals to
ensure that its knowledge base remains up to date.
 
     EXPANSION OF CONTRACT SALES SERVICES.  Pharmaceutical and other health care
companies are increasingly outsourcing certain marketing and sales services to
contract sales organizations. Currently, the Company's contract sales
organization operates only in the United Kingdom and provides its services
primarily to consumer products companies, utilities and other non-health care
related companies. The Company began providing contract sales services to
pharmaceutical and other health care companies in order to take advantage of the
increased use by such companies in the United Kingdom of contract sales forces
to market their products in May 1997 and as of September 30, 1997 revenues
generated from such clients were not significant. The Company intends to expand
its contract sales operations into the United States by the end of the second
quarter of 1998 and anticipates that such operations will focus almost
exclusively on pharmaceutical and other health care products. The Company

believes that contract sales will enable it to complement its existing
communications services with a flexible sales force designed to augment its
clients' sales activities.
 
     EXTEND GLOBAL REACH.  The Company believes that pharmaceutical and other
health care companies will increasingly seek to retain marketing and
communications companies with international reach and experience. The Company
believes that it is positioned to address such future demand through its
operations in the United States and the United Kingdom, and through Healthworld
B.V., a world-wide network of licensed independent advertising agencies located
in 13 other countries of which GHB&M and Milton are founding licensees.
Healthworld B.V. generally operates as a trade organization through which its
licensed agencies, including GHB&M and Milton, provide business referrals to one
another. In addition, Healthworld B.V. enables GHB&M and Milton and its other
member agencies to utilize the creative talents of other member agencies that
have expertise and knowledge of particular countries or geographic regions in
order to develop consistent and integrated multinational campaigns for its
clients. See '--Healthworld B.V.' The Company currently intends to
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
continue to expand the Healthworld B.V. network and will regularly evaluate
opportunities to expand its business into other international locations.
 
     GROWTH THROUGH ACQUISITIONS.  The Company intends to pursue acquisitions of
marketing and communications companies specializing in health care in its
existing markets and internationally, including possibly acquiring Healthworld
B.V. licensed independent agencies. The Company anticipates that it will apply a
portion of the net proceeds of the Offering to undertake such acquisitions if
suitable acquisition candidates are identified. While the Company regularly
evaluates and discusses potential acquisitions, the Company currently has no
understandings, commitments or agreements with respect to any such acquisitions.
See 'Risk Factors-- Management of Growth; Acquisition Risks,' 'Use of Proceeds'
and 'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.'
 
SERVICES
 
     The Company provides a wide array of marketing and communications services
to its clients ranging from the execution of a discrete marketing project, such
as designing product packaging, to taking responsibility for the overall
marketing message, which enables the Company to incorporate a wide variety of
its services into one integrated marketing campaign. The Company seeks to
develop brand loyalty and awareness for its clients at any stage of a product's
life-cycle and approaches each project by carefully evaluating the product, the
client's goals with respect to such product and industry and competitive
considerations.
 
     GHB&M's revenues are derived primarily from providing advertising and
promotion, consulting, publishing and medical education services to its clients.
In addition, GHB&M also offers other marketing and communications services to
its clients, including public relations, interactive multimedia, database
marketing and marketing research services. Milton's revenues are derived
primarily from providing contract sales, advertising and promotion and public

relations services to its clients.
 
     The services provided by the Company include:
 
     ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION.  The Company's traditional advertising and
promotion services include developing creative concepts for advertising
campaigns for pharmaceutical and other health care products and applying such
creative concepts to the development and production of a wide variety of
marketing and promotional materials, including medical journal advertisements,
direct mail materials, sales force brochures, hospital displays, convention
exhibit panels, drug sample packages and reminder promotional items. Such
campaigns are targeted almost exclusively to physicians, nurses and other health
care providers and to wholesale distributors. The Company also analyzes
marketing research data, which is either developed by the Company (through
various methods including focus group studies, telephone interview studies and
mailings) or obtained from its clients and other third-party sources, to
determine the most appropriate audience to target as well as the types of
marketing and promotional materials to employ in a campaign.
 
     In response to the rapid growth of DTC during the last five years, GHB&M
expanded its advertising and promotion services to include DTC. The Company
believes that GHB&M was one of the first firms to develop a DTC campaign for
prescription drugs and has become an industry leader in developing such DTC
campaigns based on the number of DTC assignments it has performed. Through a
dedicated team engaged exclusively in developing DTC campaigns, the Company
believes it offers more specialized and comprehensive services to its clients
than firms which focus primarily on the promotion of consumer products generally
or on non-DTC advertising and the promotion of pharmaceutical products. In
fiscal 1994, 1995, 1996 and the fiscal nine months ended September 30, 1996 and
1997, the Company's revenues from DTC represented 18%, 21%, 20%, and 18% and
15%, respectively, of the Company's pro forma combined revenues.
 
     The Company also believes that Milton is an industry leader in Europe in
developing campaigns for 'switching' a drug from prescription to
over-the-counter status based on the number of switching assignments it has
performed. For example, in the United Kingdom, Regaine (Rogaine in the United
States), a product of Pharmacia & Upjohn, never achieved its sales expectations
as a prescription-only product despite being advertised and promoted to
physicians by other agencies. The Company believed that Regaine's lack of
success was primarily attributable to doctors' skepticism of the drug's
effectiveness and a general perception of hair loss being a cosmetic problem
rather than a medical disorder. In May 1995, the Company presented a
comprehensive
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
plan to Pharmacia & Upjohn that included a new positioning and field marketing
program emphasizing the product's ability to stop further hair loss and
relegated the regeneration of hair to a secondary message. The Company developed
and implemented an integrated media plan which incorporated seven consumer
advertisements, special pharmacist programs (including in-store training manuals
and display materials), and a public relations launch in London.
 
     GHB&M generated revenues from its advertising and promotion services of

approximately $7.7 million in fiscal 1994, $8.5 million in fiscal 1995, $9.6
million in fiscal 1996, $6.9 million for the nine months ended September 30,
1996 and $9.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1997, constituting
74%, 68%, 67%, 68% and 73%, respectively, of GHB&M's combined revenues in each
of such periods. Milton generated revenues from its advertising and promotion
services of approximately $2.4 million in fiscal 1994, $2.9 million in fiscal
1995, $3.1 million in fiscal 1996, $2.2 million for the nine months ended August
31, 1996 and $2.7 million for the nine months ended August 31, 1997,
constituting 90%, 66%, 31%, 30% and 25%, respectively, of Milton's consolidated
revenues in each of such periods. The Company's pro forma combined revenues from
advertising and promotion services were approximately $10.0 million in fiscal
1994, $11.4 million in fiscal 1995, $12.7 million in fiscal 1996, $9.1 million
for the fiscal nine months ended September 30, 1996 and $11.9 million for the
fiscal nine months ended September 30, 1997, constituting 77%, 68%, 52%, 52% and
51%, respectively, of the Company's total pro forma combined revenues in each of
such periods.
 
     CONTRACT SALES SERVICES.  The Company offers a flexible range of contract
sales services which are delivered through dedicated and syndicated sales teams.
The Company's contract sales teams form a network of trained professionals that
provides clients with substantial flexibility in selecting the extent and costs
of promoting products as well as the clients' level of involvement in managing
the sales effort. Dedicated sales teams are comprised of sales representatives
recruited by the Company in accordance with client specifications to conduct
sales efforts for a particular client. Dedicated sales teams can be managed by
the Company or can report directly to the client, depending on client
preference. Syndicated sales teams promote a number of products for different
clients and are generally managed directly by the Company.
 
     The Company believes that speed of recruitment, quality of training and
management of sales representatives, supported by advanced information
technology, are key to providing clients with a sales force tailored to meet
their geographic and scheduling needs. The Company's ability to assemble a sales
team quickly is a product of combining the talents of experienced personnel for
screening and interviewing candidates with the use of information technology to
expedite recruitment. The Company believes that it can recruit client-specific
national sales force in as few as eight to 12 weeks, depending on the
assignment. Sound hiring procedures, supplemented by the Company's internal
training and development programs, help to ensure the quality of recruited
personnel.
 
     Currently, the Company provides its contract sales services in the United
Kingdom primarily to consumer product companies, utilities and other non-health
care related companies. The Company hires sales personnel on a
project-by-project basis, with the actual number of representatives retained
contingent upon a particular assignment. The Company maintains a database
listing approximately 5,000 sales personnel, and typically employs, either on a
part-time or full-time basis, approximately 1,000 sales persons at any given
time.
 
     The Company began providing contract sales services to pharmaceutical and
other health care product companies in the United Kingdom in May 1997 and as of
September 30, 1997 revenues generated from such clients were not significant. In
addition, the Company currently intends to begin providing contract sales

services in the United States by the end of the first quarter of 1998. The
Company anticipates that its contract sales operations in the United States will
focus almost exclusively on pharmaceutical and other health care products and
services.
 
     Milton generated revenues from its contract sales services of approximately
$280,000 in fiscal 1994, $1.5 million in fiscal 1995, $6.6 million in fiscal
1996, $4.9 million for the nine months ended August 31, 1996 and $7.7 million
for the nine months ended August 31, 1997, constituting 11%, 34%, 67%, 69% and
72%, respectively, of Milton's consolidated revenues in each of such periods,
and 2%, 9%, 27%, 29% and 33%, respectively, of the Company's total pro forma
combined revenues in each of such periods. GHB&M did not have any contract sales
operations during such periods.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
     CONSULTING.  The Company's consulting services include strategic planning,
new product development, clinical and regulatory affairs and health economics.
Clients retain the Company to assist them in the development of strategic and
business plans. Typically, the Company investigates and studies the results of
clinical trials and marketing research studies to formulate a strategic
direction for a client's products. The Company may recommend to its clients,
among other things, conducting cost effectiveness clinical studies, extending
patent life protection through line extensions, considering various approaches
to dealing with the FDA, and developing pricing strategies and specific clinical
trials to support certain marketing objectives. The Company currently
subcontracts clinical and regulatory affairs and health economics consulting
services to independent companies specializing in such services. While the
Company is currently considering expanding to provide such regulatory affairs
and health economics consulting services 'in-house,' there can be no assurance
that the Company will, in the future, expand into such services.
 
     GHB&M generated revenues from its consulting services of approximately $1.4
million in fiscal 1994, $1.5 million in fiscal 1995, $1.8 million in fiscal
1996, $1.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and $1.8 million
for the nine months ended September 30, 1997, constituting 14%, 13%, 13%, 12%
and 14%, respectively, of GHB&M's combined revenues in each of such periods, and
11%, 9%, 8%, 7% and 8%, respectively, of the Company's total pro forma combined
revenues in each of such periods. Milton does not provide consulting services.
 
     PUBLISHING.  DTC publications are increasingly being employed as an
additional element of an integrated marketing campaign to promote disease
awareness, understanding of and compliance with treatment, and brand awareness
and loyalty. As part of a DTC campaign developed by the Company for Wyeth-Ayerst
Laboratories' drug Premarin, an estrogen replacement for menopausal women, the
Company publishes and manages the circulation for Seasons, a bi-monthly magazine
for women who are on Premarin therapy, which is devoted to women's health care
issues, including issues concerning menopause and osteoporosis as well as the
efficacy and benefits of the drug and the means by which it can help improve
overall quality of life. The Company believes that the magazine's current per
issue circulation of 1.0 million Premarin patients makes it one of the most
popular women's health magazines ever published and that the Company's
integrated marketing campaign has contributed to Premarin becoming one of the
world's leading drugs in terms of prescription sales volume.

 
     The Company is seeking to expand its publishing business by offering DTC
publications to pharmaceutical companies as a marketing tool with respect to
drugs used for long term therapy for chronic conditions or illnesses such as
asthma, arthritis, ulcers, heart disease, diabetes and obesity. In addition, the
Company believes that such DTC publications can be utilized by insurers and
managed care companies as part of a disease specific management program designed
to educate a patient as to his or her disease, including treatment options and
lifestyle advice which may lead to an overall reduction in the cost of treatment
and care.
 
     GHB&M generated revenues from its publishing services of approximately
$757,000 in fiscal 1994, $1.1 million in fiscal 1995, $1.2 million in fiscal
1996, $745,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and $732,000 for the
nine months ended September 30, 1997, constituting 7%, 8%, 8%, 7% and 6%,
respectively, of GHB&M's combined revenues in each of such periods, and 6%, 6%,
5%, 4% and 3%, respectively, of the Company's total pro forma combined revenues
in each of such periods. Milton does not have publishing operations.
 
     MEDICAL EDUCATION.  The Company develops medical educational programs
targeted primarily to health care providers that are tied closely to the
strategy and marketing goals for its clients, including continuing medical
education programs for which physicians obtain credit and are required to
complete to maintain their licenses. In addition to planning, implementing and
managing symposia, workshops and other conferences that commonly utilize a
multi-disciplinary faculty to address the full spectrum of care on featured
topics, the Company creates newsletters, articles, slide lecture kits and
posters. The Company also assists pharmaceutical and other health care companies
in developing, writing and placing journal articles and supplements, and offers
specialized training programs which incorporate new training technologies that
can be applied in selling pharmaceutical products to non-traditional purchasers,
including managed care organizations and public health officials. The Company
offers such services throughout a product's life-cycle, including prior to
regulatory approval, in order to create awareness and generate interest among
the health care community about such product prior to such approval.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
     GHB&M generated revenues from its medical education services of
approximately $530,000 in fiscal 1994, $1.1 million in fiscal 1995, $1.4 million
in fiscal 1996, $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and
$750,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1997, constituting 5%, 9%, 10%,
10% and 6%, respectively, of GHB&M's combined revenues in each of such periods,
and 4%, 7%, 6%, 6% and 3%, respectively, of the Company's total pro forma
combined revenues in each of such periods. Milton does not provide medical
education services.
 
     PUBLIC RELATIONS.  The Company provides a broad range of public relations
services to its clients, including tactical development, media relations, crisis
management, special events, public sponsorship packages, professional and
patient association liaison, grant and fellowship initiatives, editorial
projects, graphic design and video production. The Company typically integrates
its public relations programs into its overall marketing campaign for a client.
The Company believes that its in-depth knowledge of professional trade and

consumer media and its strong media contacts provide it with ongoing
opportunities to place high impact stories publicizing client products and
services.
 
     INTERACTIVE MULTIMEDIA.  The Company develops and incorporates interactive
multimedia and other new technologies into its programs and campaigns. The
Company has utilized virtually all existing digital formats, including laser
disc, kiosks, on-line and CD-ROM and owns an extensive archive of over 4,000
medical illustrations which it incorporates in such multimedia formats. The
Company also provides website design and updating, demographics targeting,
statistical measurement and list analysis. The Company believes that interactive
multimedia are particularly attractive to its clients because specific audiences
can be targeted.
 
     DATABASE MARKETING.  The Company employs database technology to develop and
implement marketing campaigns that are targeted to specific audience profiles.
The Company utilizes its own or its clients' databases as well as databases it
leases from third parties (including the American Medical Association). Through
its direct marketing division, the Company developed and manages a database of
1.5 million patients generated from current and former patient readers per issue
of Seasons.
 
     MARKETING RESEARCH.  The Company develops and offers its clients
specialized research programs to measure the 'return on investment' ('ROI') of
its DTC and other marketing programs. The ROI model utilized by the Company is a
proprietary model based on a consumer products research methodology that has
been adapted and modified for use with respect to prescription drugs. Through
the use of its ROI model, the Company has established normative data that it
will use as benchmarks for future ROI studies. The Company believes that data
from such programming assists the Company and its clients in determining the
most effective means of marketing a particular product.
 
     Revenues from public relations, interactive multimedia, database marketing
and marketing research services, in the aggregate, did not constitute more than
3% of GHB&M's combined revenues, Milton's consolidated revenues or the Company's
pro forma combined revenues in any fiscal year.
 
HEALTHWORLD B.V.
 
     Healthworld B.V. is a world-wide network of licensed independent marketing
and communications agencies which began operating in August 1993. Healthworld
B.V. was organized as a Dutch corporation by GHB&M, Milton and two other
founding licensees in response to the founders' belief that pharmaceutical and
other health care companies will increasingly seek to retain marketing and
communications companies with international reach and experience. Healthworld
B.V. generally operates as a trade organization through which its licensed
agencies, including GHB&M and Milton, provide business referrals to one another
and, where appropriate, work with other licensed agencies with respect to
projects which require expertise in other geographic markets. As such,
Healthworld B.V. does not generate revenues from operations and is funded solely
by membership fees and royalty payments from its licensees. Healthworld B.V.
enables its member agencies to utilize the creative talents of other member
agencies that have expertise and knowledge of particular countries or geographic
regions to develop consistent and integrated multinational campaigns for the

clients of such member agencies.
 
     Healthworld B.V. currently consists of GHB&M in the United States, Milton
in the United Kingdom, and 13 other licensed independent marketing and
communications agencies located in Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France,
Holland, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Spain and Sweden. Member
agencies
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
are carefully selected based on, among other things, quality of work, local
reputation, client base and certain other organizational and financial criteria.
Each member agency has entered into a license agreement with Healthworld B.V.
which provides, among other things, that such agency will perform services for
the clients of any other member agency upon request by such other member agency.
In addition, each such license agreement provides for the member agency to pay a
royalty fee to Healthworld B.V. and permits such member agency to use certain of
Healthworld's trademarks within its geographic market.
 
     GHB&M and Milton each own 30.2% of the capital stock of Healthworld B.V.,
and the remainder is owned by nine other member agencies. Each agency that
enters into a license agreement with Healthworld B.V. is given the opportunity
to become a shareholder of Healthworld B.V. Healthworld B.V. is managed by a
Board of Directors consisting of five members, and each of GHB&M and Milton is
entitled to designate one of such members.
 
     Although to date, Healthworld B.V. has neither conducted significant
operations nor contributed materially to GHB&M's or Milton's results of
operations, the Company believes that Healthworld B.V. has enabled the Company
to attract additional clients based upon the Company's ability to offer global
reach and expertise.
 
CLIENTS
 
     The Company currently services approximately 45 clients. The Company's
clients are primarily pharmaceutical and other health care companies, including
health care service providers and manufacturers of diagnostic equipment, medical
equipment, medical devices and medical supplies. The Company's major clients
include many of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies. The Company has
enjoyed long-standing relationships with many of such clients, a number of which
have lasted for more than five years. The Company currently provides its
contract sales services in the United Kingdom primarily to consumer products
companies, utilities and other non-health care related companies.
 
     The following list sets forth in alphabetical order pharmaceutical and
other health care clients of the Company who each represented $350,000 or more
of the Company's pro forma combined revenues in fiscal 1996, as well as the
corresponding percentage of the Company's pro forma combined revenues
represented by each such client in fiscal 1996:
 
Applied Microbiology, Inc. (1.7%)
Connaugh Laboratories (1.7%)
Eli Lilly & Co. (2.7%)
The Hospital Saving Association (3.4%)

Johnson & Johnson/Merck-Sharp-Dome
  (a joint venture) (2.0%)
Ortho/McNeil Pharmaceuticals (a division of
  Johnson & Johnson) (9.3%)
Roche Laboratories (4.3%)
Sanofi Winthrop Pharmaceuticals (a division
  of Sanofi Winthrop, Inc.) (5.2%)
SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals (1.5%)
Whitehall Laboratories (a division of American
  Home Products) (2.0%)
Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories (a division of
  American Home Products) (24.8%)
 
     The Company's contracts with its clients, except with respect to contract
sales services, generally have a term of one year and, with respect to long-term
projects, are renewed on a year-to-year basis. Such contracts typically relate
to specific services or services only for specific products and may be
terminated by the client on short notice. The Company's contracts relating to
its contract sales services generally are either short-term (i.e., one week to
six months) or long-term (i.e., up to three years), and may also be terminated
by the client on short notice. The Company typically enters into contracts with
new clients or contracts for additional projects from existing clients either by
being directly retained by such clients or after being invited to bid and
successfully bidding on projects for such clients.
 
     Clients are not generally bound to an individual agency and may move their
accounts at any time from one agency to another. In addition, clients generally
tend to use more than one agency for their marketing requirements. Client
conflicts of interest are inherent in the marketing and communications industry,
particularly with respect to pharmaceutical and other health care clients for
whom the Company performs advertising services, due to the proprietary nature of
such clients' products. The Company's ability to compete for new clients and
assignments is limited by the Company's general practice, and the practice
followed by many of the Company's competitors, of not representing more than one
client with competing product lines. In addition, the
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
Company is often contractually precluded from representing companies with
competing products. As a result, the Company may not be retained by existing,
new and potential clients with respect to certain products if the Company
provides marketing or communications services for competing products.
 
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
 
     In 1997, the Company entered into a 50-year license agreement (the 'License
Agreement') with Healthworld B.V. pursuant to which Healthworld B.V. granted the
Company rights to use the 'Healthworld' and 'Healthworld Communications'
trademarks, the tradename 'Healthworld,' and the Healthworld logo, for $1.00 per
year. Under the License Agreement, Healthworld B.V. must obtain the Company's
prior written consent before further licensing such licensed property.
Healthworld B.V. has trademarks registered with the United States Patent and
Trademark Office for the words 'Healthworld' and 'Healthworld Communications'
which expire in March 2004 and for the Healthworld name together with its logo
which expires in May 2005. Healthworld B.V. also has trademarks registered or

applications for such registrations pending for the tradename 'Healthworld' and
the Healthworld logo in the United Kingdom and in each of the other countries in
which licensed Healthworld B.V. agencies are located, as well as several other
countries. The Company considers all of such United States and United Kingdom
trademarks to be material to its operations.
 
COMPETITION
 
     The health care marketing and communications industry throughout the United
States and Europe is highly competitive. The Company competes with many other
marketing and communications firms, including international and regional
full-service and specialty marketing and communications firms. Consolidation
within the pharmaceutical and health care industries as well as a trend by
pharmaceutical and health care companies to limit outsourcing of sales,
marketing and communications services to fewer organizations has heightened the
competition among such service providers for a smaller number of clients. In
addition, many of the larger consumer product marketing and communications
companies have acquired specialty health care marketing and communications
companies, which themselves have been increasingly consolidating in recent
years. For instance, each of Bozell, Jacobs, Kenyon & Eckhardt, Grey
Advertising, Interpublic Group, Omnicom Group, Inc., Saatchi & Saatchi
Advertising Affiliates Holdings, Inc. and Young & Rubicam, Inc., has one or more
divisions specializing in health care marketing and communications. Many of
these companies have substantially greater financial resources, personnel and
facilities than the Company. If the previously described consolidation trends
continue, the Company may face greater competition for its clients and for
acquisition candidates. Although the Company believes it is able to compete on
the basis of the quality of its creative product, service, reputation and
personal relationships with clients, there can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to maintain its competitive position in the industry.
 
     With respect to contract sales services provided to consumer products
companies in the United Kingdom, the Company currently competes against in-house
sales departments of such companies and contract sales organizations operating
in the United Kingdom, many of which are larger and have substantially greater
financial resources. With respect to contract sales services targeted to
pharmaceutical and medical devices, the Company currently competes in the United
Kingdom, and, if such services are expanded into the United States, will compete
in the United States, against the in-house sales departments of pharmaceutical
companies and local contract sales organizations specializing in pharmaceutical
and medical device products. The primary competitive factor affecting contract
sales and marketing services is the ability to quickly assemble, train and
manage large qualified sales forces to handle broad scale sales campaigns. The
Company believes that it competes favorably in these areas in the United Kingdom
with respect to its non-health care related contract sales services. However,
with respect to health care related contract sales services, there can be no
assurance that the Company will compete favorably in these areas in the United
Kingdom or in the United States.
 
     While there are relatively low barriers to entry into the marketing and
communications industry as a whole, the Company believes that its specific
expertise with respect to the pharmaceutical and health care industry
distinguish it from prospective competitors attempting to develop health care
communications businesses. Notwithstanding the Company's expertise, it expects

that it will face additional competition from new entrants into the industry in
the future. There can be no assurance that existing or future competitors will
not develop or
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
offer marketing communications services and products that provide significant
performance, creative, technical or other advantages over those offered by the
Company.
 
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
 
     While there are no laws that specifically regulate the health care
communications industry, the health care and pharmaceutical industries are
generally subject to a high degree of government regulation, and the trend is
toward regulation of increasing stringency. Federal, state and local laws and
regulations affect the permissible form, content and timing of marketing
activities involving pharmaceutical and other health care products. Some of
these laws relate to general considerations such as truthfulness, comparative
advertising and the relative responsibilities of clients and advertising firms.
Other laws, such as the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act and the anti-fraud and
abuse laws and regulations affecting the Medicare, Medicaid and other
governmental health care programs, regulate the form, content and/or timing of
marketing activities involving pharmaceutical and other health care products,
including the permissible activities the Company may undertake to develop
markets for its clients' products. The Company has implemented a rigorous review
process, emphasizing the importance of compliance with regulatory matters. In
addition, the Company's clients generally follow a rigorous internal review
process.
 
PROPERTIES
 
     GHB&M maintains corporate headquarters in New York in a leased facility
which occupies approximately 44,600 square feet of office space. The lease for
such office space is due to expire on December 31, 2009 and has escalating rent
currently at the base rate of $575,000 per annum which will increase to $662,000
per annum in December 1997, $750,000 per annum in December 1998 and $970,000 per
annum from December 2003 through the expiration of the lease. GHB&M also leases
small offices in Bellmore, New York and Chicago, Illinois.
 
     Milton leases approximately 2,850 square feet of office space in London for
its United Kingdom headquarters and approximately 5,218 square feet of office
space in Chertsey for its contract sales operations. Milton also leases small
offices located in Brighton and in two locations in each of Berkshire and
Surrey. The aggregate annual base rent for all of Milton's United Kingdom
facilities is approximately $393,000.
 
     The Company believes that its existing facilities are adequate to meet its
current operating needs and that suitable additional space should be available
to the Company on reasonable terms should the Company require additional space
to accommodate future operations or expansion.
 
EMPLOYEES
 

     As of September 30, 1997, the Company had four part-time employees and
approximately 192 full-time employees, 112 of which were employed in GHB&M's
United States operations and 80 of which were employed in Milton's United
Kingdom operations, excluding sales persons employed in Milton's contract sales
organization. In the United Kingdom, Milton typically employs approximately
1,000 sales persons for its contract sales organization at any given time, and
such sales persons are employed both on a full-time and part-time basis. The
Company is not a party to any collective bargaining agreement and the Company's
employees are not represented by any labor union. The Company considers its
relationship with its employees to be good. The Company's success depends in
large part, upon its ability to attract, develop, motivate and retain highly
skilled creative and technical employees, of which there can be no assurance.
 
LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The Company is not a party to any pending litigation which, if decided
against the Company, would have a material adverse effect on the business,
financial condition or results of operations of the Company, and the Company is
not aware of any material threatened litigation which might involve the Company.
 
                                       37

<PAGE>
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     The following table sets forth information concerning Healthworld's
directors and the Company's executive officers and those persons who will become
directors of Healthworld (each, a 'Director Nominee') immediately upon
consummation of the Offering.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                                               AGE   POSITION
- ------------------------------------------------   ---   ------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>   <C>
Steven Girgenti.................................   52    Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
                                                           Officer
William Leslie Milton...........................   53    Vice Chairman of the Board and President
Stuart Diamond..................................   37    Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
                                                           Officer and Secretary
William Butler..................................   52    Executive Vice President--Global Communications
                                                           Services of GH
Herbert Ehrenthal...............................   61    Executive Vice President--U.S. Communications
                                                           Services of GH
Francis Hughes..................................   59    Creative Director of GH and Director
Michael Garnham.................................   42    Managing Director--U.K. Contract Sales Services
Peter Knight(1)(2)..............................   46    Director
Colin Lloyd(1)(2)(3)............................   55    Director
Jonah Shacknai(1)(2)(3).........................   40    Director
Alex Spizz(1)(3)................................   49    Director
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
(1) Director Nominee.
 
(2) Will become a member of the Compensation Committee immediately upon
    consummation of the Offering.
 
(3) Will become a member of the Audit Committee immediately upon consummation of
    the Offering.
 
     Directors are elected annually. Each director holds office until the next
annual meeting of stockholders, or until his successor has been elected and
qualified. Executive officers are ordinarily elected annually and serve at the
discretion of the Board of Directors. See '--Employment Agreements' for a
description of certain employment agreements of executive officers.
 
     STEVEN GIRGENTI has served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer of Healthworld since August 1997. Mr. Girgenti co-founded GH in April
1986 and has served as its President and Chief Executive Officer since then.
Beginning in 1969, Mr. Girgenti worked in the pharmaceutical industry for
advertising companies specializing in medical communications, including William
Douglas McAdams. Prior to that, Mr. Girgenti held a variety of positions with
pharmaceutical companies, including Director of Marketing Research and Product

Manager for DuPont Pharmaceuticals and Manager of Commercial Development for
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.
 
   
     WILLIAM LESLIE MILTON has served as Vice Chairman of the Board and
President of Healthworld since August 1997. Mr. Milton founded Milton Marketing
Limited in August 1978 and has served as its Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer since such time. Prior to such time, Mr. Milton held a variety
of positions with WarnerLambert Consumer Healthcare, Beecham Laboratories (South
Africa), Gillette Industries UK Limited, and Parke Davis Pty (South Africa)
where he developed an expertise in marketing management with respect to medical
and consumer health care products.
    
 
     STUART DIAMOND has served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Secretary of Healthworld since August 1997. Mr. Diamond was the Vice
President-Controller of the Licensing Division of Calvin Klein Inc., an apparel
company, from April 1996 to August 1997. He was the Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of Fenway Partners Inc., a leveraged buyout firm, from April
1995 to April 1996. Mr. Diamond was the Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp., a publicly traded
pharmaceutical company, from 1990 to April 1995.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
     WILLIAM BUTLER will become Executive Vice President of GH's Global
Communications Services upon consummation of the Consolidation. Mr. Butler has
been President and Chief Operating Officer of the GHB&M Division of GH. Mr.
Butler co-founded GH in April 1986 and has served as its Executive Vice
President since such time. Mr. Butler has worked for various medical
communications firms, including Sudler & Hennessey and William Douglas McAdams.
Prior to that time, Mr. Butler worked in a number of marketing positions at
Pfizer Inc. and Continental Group.
 
     HERBERT EHRENTHAL will become Executive Vice President of GH's U.S.
Communications Services upon consummation of the Consolidation. Mr. Ehrenthal
has been President and Chief Operating Officer of Rubin Ehrenthal & Associates,
a division of GH, since 1991 when Rubin, Reid, Noto & Ehrenthal, Inc. ('Rubin
Ehrenthal') (of which he was a founding member) merged with GH. Prior to his
employment with Rubin Ehrenthal, Mr. Ehrenthal held a variety of senior
management positions with various advertising agencies, including BBDO Worldwide
Inc. and Ted Bates.
 
     FRANCIS HUGHES has been a director of Healthworld since August 1997 and has
been Creative Director since September 1995. Mr. Hughes co-founded GH in April
1986 and has served as its Secretary since then. In 1980, Mr. Hughes co-founded
William J. Bologna International, Inc., a health care communications company.
Prior to that time, Mr. Hughes worked in the medical divisions of various
advertising companies, including J. Walter Thompson Co., Compton and William
Douglas McAdams.
 
     MICHAEL GARNHAM has been the Managing Director of U.K. Contract Sales
Services since August 1993. Mr. Garnham was the Associate Director of FMCG Field
Marketing Ltd., a field marketing company, from February 1992 to August 1993.

 
     PETER KNIGHT will become a director of Healthworld upon consummation of the
Offering. Mr. Knight has been a partner of the law firm of Wunder, Knight,
Levine, Thelen & Forsey since 1991. In 1996, Mr. Knight took a leave of absence
from the firm to serve as Campaign Manager for the 1996 Clinton/Gore campaign.
Mr. Knight was General Counsel and Secretary of Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp.
from 1989 to 1991, and is currently a director of Comsat Corp., an international
telecommunications and network service company, Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp. and
Whitman Education Group Inc., a private for-profit education company.
 
     COLIN LLOYD will become a director of Healthworld upon consummation of the
Offering. Mr. Lloyd has been the Chief Executive Officer of Direct Marketing
Association (U.K.) Ltd., a direct marketing trade association, since September
1993. Mr. Lloyd served as a consultant to and a director of various companies
from 1992 to 1993, and was President of Marketing Services Worldwide of Roux,
Seguile, Cyzak & Goudard, SA ('RSCG'), an international advertising group, from
February 1990 to August 1991. In 1969, Mr. Lloyd co-founded KLP Group plc
('KLP'), a sales promotion and marketing services company in the United Kingdom
in which he served as the Chief Executive Officer until August 1991. KLP was
acquired in 1990 by RSCG.
 
   
     JONAH SHACKNAI will become a director of Healthworld upon consummation of
the Offering. Mr. Shacknai has been Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer of Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp. since 1988. From 1982 to 1988, Mr.
Shacknai was a senior partner in the law firm of Royer, Shacknai, and Mehle,
where he represented over 34 multinational pharmaceutical and medical device
companies. From 1983 to 1986, Mr. Shacknai was also an executive officer of Key
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., prior to its acquisition by Schering-Plough Corp. From
1977 to 1982, Mr. Shacknai served as Chief Aide to a United States House of
Representatives committee with responsibility for health policy. Mr. Shacknai
serves as a member of the National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin
Diseases Advisory Council of the National Institute of Health, and the
U.S.-Israel Science and Technology Commission.
    
 
     ALEX SPIZZ will become a director of Healthworld upon consummation of the
Offering. For more than the past five years, Mr. Spizz has been a senior member
of the law firm of Todtman, Nachamie, Hendler & Spizz, P.C., counsel to the
Company, GHB&M and Healthworld B.V. in connection with the Consolidation and
other corporate matters.
 
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
 
     Upon consummation of the Offering, the Board of Directors will establish a
Compensation Committee and an Audit Committee. The Compensation Committee will
review and recommend to the Board of Directors the compensation and benefits of
all officers of the Company, review general policy matters relating to
compensation and benefits of employees of the Company and administer the
issuance of stock options to the Company's
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
officers, employees, directors and consultants. The Audit Committee will be

responsible for recommending annually to the Board of Directors the independent
auditors to be retained by the Company, and will meet with management and the
Company's independent auditors to determine the adequacy of internal controls
and other financial reporting matters.
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     Healthworld, which was incorporated on September 12, 1996 and has conducted
limited operations and generated no revenues to date, did not pay any
compensation to its executive officers in 1996. The following table sets forth
the cash compensation paid by GHB&M for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996,
and by Milton for the fiscal year ended November 30, 1996, to the Chief
Executive Officers of each of GHB&M and Milton, respectively, and to each of the
other most highly compensated executive officers of GHB&M and Milton whose cash
compensation exceeded $100,000 for such respective fiscal years.
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  ANNUAL COMPENSATION
                                                         -------------------------------------
                                                                                OTHER ANNUAL          ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION                              SALARY($)   BONUS($)  COMPENSATION($)     COMPENSATION($)
- -------------------------------------------------------  -------     -------   ---------------     ---------------
<S>                                                      <C>         <C>       <C>                 <C>
Steven Girgenti
  Chairman of the Board and
  Chief Executive Officer..............................    --          --         $ 337,000(1)        $ 981,500(2)
William Leslie Milton
  Vice Chairman of the Board and President.............  $98,280(3)(4)   --       $  32,340(3)(5)       --
William Butler
  Executive Vice President--Global Communications
  Services of GH.......................................    --          --         $ 275,000(1)        $ 222,622(2)
Herbert Ehrenthal
  Executive Vice President--U.S. Communications
  Services of GH.......................................    --          --         $ 275,000(1)        $ 231,211(2)
Francis Hughes
  Creative Director of GH..............................    --          --         $ 225,000(1)        $  52,372(2)
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
(1) Represents consulting fees paid by certain of the companies comprising GHB&M
    to certain companies wholly-owned by each respective officer.
 
(2) Represents distributions made to such individuals by certain of the
    companies comprising GHB&M. A portion of such distributions were made to
    cover each individual's 1995 and estimated 1996 tax liabilities associated
    with the election of the companies comprising GHB&M to be treated as S
    Corporations (other than Syberactive, which was treated as a C Corporation)
    during such periods.
 
(3) Calculated using the 1996 average exchange rate of $1.56 = pounds 1.00.
 

(4) Compensation paid by Milton Marketing.
 
(5) Includes (i) a $15,600 contribution by Milton Marketing to Mr. Milton's
    pension plan, and (ii) an aggregate of $10,952 for automobile expenses.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
     Compensation policies and decisions, including those relating to salary,
bonuses and benefits of executive officers, have been set or made by Mr.
Girgenti, with respect to GHB&M, and Mr. Milton, with respect to Milton, since
the formation of such companies. Upon consummation of the Offering, the Board of
Directors of the Company will establish a Compensation Committee which will,
among other things, recommend to the Board of Directors the compensation to be
paid to the Company's officers. See '--Committees of the Board.'
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
   
     In November 1997, the Company entered into a three-year employment
agreement with each of Messrs. Girgenti, Milton, Butler and Garnham, and an
eighteen month employment agreement with Mr. Ehrenthal (collectively, the
'Executive Employment Agreements'), which provide that Messrs. Girgenti, Milton,
Butler, Garnham and Ehrenthal (the 'Executives') will serve as Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Vice Chairman of the Board and
President of the Company, Executive Vice President--Global Communications
Services of GH, Managing Director--Headcount and Executive Vice
    
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
   
President--U.S. Communications Services of GH, respectively, at an annual salary
of $360,000, $325,000, $300,000, $175,000, and $300,000, respectively, subject
to review and increase at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the
Company. Messrs. Girgenti's and Milton's Executive Employment Agreements provide
that each of Messrs. Girgenti and Milton will serve as members of the Board of
Directors of the Company. Each Executive Employment Agreement is automatically
renewable after the initial term for successive one year periods unless either
the Company or the Executive notifies the other at least 90 days prior to the
expiration of any term of its or his desire to terminate the agreement. Each
Executive Employment Agreement also contains a confidentiality provision as well
as a noncompetition provision which prohibits the Executive from competing with
the Company during the term of the applicable agreement and for a two year
period (or, in the case of Mr. Ehrenthal, for a one year period) after the
expiration of such term. Under Messrs. Girgenti's or Milton's Executive
Employment Agreement, in the event that the Company terminates Mr. Girgenti or
Milton without cause (as defined in the agreement) prior to the expiration of
the agreement, the Company is obligated to pay Messrs. Girgenti or Milton, as
the case may be, severance in an amount equal to twice his then current base
salary.
    
 
   
     Furthermore, each Executive Employment Agreement provides that Messrs.

Girgenti, Milton, Butler, Ehrenthal and Garnham are entitled to a bonus based on
achieving or exceeding certain profits and revenue performance goals set by the
Company during the term of their respective employment agreement, and may be
entitled to an additional bonus to be determined at the sole discretion of the
Compensation Committee of the Company. Mr. Ehrenthal's agreement also provides
that he will be entitled to (i) a two year consulting arrangement, at the end 
of his employment term (or if he is terminated without cause), for $300,000 per 
annum for the first year and $120,000 per annum for the second year of such 
consulting arrangement and (ii) an expense allowance during his employment term 
of $30,000 per year.
    
 
     In August 1997, the Company entered into a three-year employment agreement
with Stuart Diamond (the 'Diamond Employment Agreement'), which provides that
Mr. Diamond will serve as the Company's Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer at an annual base salary of $175,000, subject to annual review
and increase at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company. The
Diamond Employment Agreement also provides that Mr. Diamond will receive a
minimum bonus of $30,000 for the year ending December 31, 1997 and may be
entitled to additional annual bonuses and awards under any plans established by
the Company as determined by the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee in
their sole discretion. The Diamond Employment Agreement is automatically
renewable after the initial three-year term for successive one year periods
unless either the Company or Mr. Diamond notifies the other at least 30 days
prior to the expiration of any term of its or his desire to terminate the
agreement. The Diamond Employment Agreement contains a confidentiality provision
as well as a non-competition provision which prohibits Mr. Diamond from
competing with the Company during the term of the agreement. Under the Diamond
Employment Agreement, the Company will be obligated to pay Mr. Diamond severance
in an amount equal to (i) six months base salary, in the event that the Company
terminates Mr. Diamond without cause (as defined in the agreement) prior to or
subsequent to the expiration of the agreement, and (ii) a minimum of three
months base salary (subject to increase at the discretion of the Board of
Directors) in the event that the Company is sold or a change of control in the
Company occurs (in addition to the amount payable in (i) above).
 
     In September 1995, the Company entered into a three-year employment
agreement (the 'Hughes Employment Agreement') with Francis Hughes, a member of
Healthworld's Board of Directors, which provides that Mr. Hughes will serve as
the Creative Director and Secretary of GH for an annual base salary of $225,000.
Under the Hughes Employment Agreement, Mr. Hughes is obligated to work a total
of six out of 12 months per calendar year in accordance with a pre-approved
schedule. The Hughes Employment Agreement may be extended by Mr. Hughes at his
sole discretion for up to two additional one-year periods upon at least 30 days
prior written notice to the Company. The Hughes Employment Agreement contains a
confidentiality provision as well as a non-competition provision which prohibits
Mr. Hughes from competing with the Company during the term of the agreement and
for five years thereafter.
 
STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
     The Board of Directors has adopted, and the stockholders have approved, the
Company's 1997 Stock Option Plan ('Stock Option Plan'). The Stock Option Plan
provides for the grant of (i) options that are intended to qualify as incentive
stock options ('Incentive Stock Options') within the meaning of Section 422 of

the Code to certain employees (including officers and directors who are
employees) and (ii) options not intended to so qualify to the Company's
employees, officers, directors and consultants. The total number of shares of
Common Stock
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
   
for which options may be granted under the Stock Option Plan is 710,000. To
date, no stock options have been granted under the Stock Option Plan. On the
effective date of the Offering, Options will be granted by the Company under the
Stock Option Plan to purchase up to an aggregate of 539,500 shares of Common
Stock at an exercise price per share equal to the initial public offering price,
which includes (i) options to purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock granted to
each of Messrs. Girgenti, Milton, Diamond, Butler, Ehrenthal and Hughes and
options to purchase 20,000 shares granted to Mr. Garnham and (ii) options to
purchase 10,000 shares granted to each of Messrs. Knight, Lloyd, Shacknai and
Spizz.
    
 
     The Stock Option Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee
(the 'Committee') of the Board of Directors, which, under such plan, must be
comprised of two or more non-employee directors who will determine the terms of
options to be granted under such plan, including the exercise price, the number
of shares subject to the option and the terms and conditions of exercise. The
Committee may appoint a separate committee comprised of the Chief Executive
Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company (the 'Administrative
Committee') to act on its behalf and administer the Stock Option Plan with
respect to certain employees of the Company who are not officers of the Company,
provided that (i) the Administrative Committee may not grant options to purchase
more than an aggregate of 50,000 shares of Common Stock in any one calendar year
and (ii) unless otherwise determined by the Committee, no single employee may be
granted options to purchase more than 2,500 shares of Common Stock. No option
granted under the Stock Option Plan will be transferable by the optionee other
than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and each option will be
exercisable during the lifetime of the optionee only by such optionee. The Stock
Option Plan provides that no person shall be granted options to purchase more
than an aggregate of 200,000 share of Common Stock during any fiscal year.
 
     The exercise price of all stock options granted under the Stock Option Plan
must be at least equal to the fair market value of such shares on the date of
grant. With respect to any participant who owns stock possessing more than 10%
of the voting rights of the Company's outstanding capital stock, the exercise
price of any Incentive Stock Option must be not less than 110% of the fair
market value on the date of grant. The term of each option granted pursuant to
the Stock Option Plan will be established by the Committee in its sole
discretion; provided, however, that the maximum term of each Incentive Stock
Option granted pursuant to the Stock Option Plan is ten years. With respect to
any Incentive Stock Option granted to a participant who owns stock possessing
more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of the Company's
outstanding capital stock, the maximum term is five years. Options are subject
to earlier termination upon termination of employment. Except as otherwise
provided by the Committee at the time of grant, options shall become exercisable
ratably over three years commencing on the first anniversary of the date of

grant.
 
     The Stock Option Plan also provides for an automatic annual option grant
for the non-employee directors. Each Director Nominee will automatically receive
an option grant for 10,000 shares of Common Stock on the date of this Prospectus
and on the date of the first meeting of the Board of Directors following each
annual meeting of stockholders thereafter. In addition, a non-employee director
who becomes a director subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and other than
on the date of any annual meeting of stockholders will receive an option grant
for 10,000 shares of Common Stock on the date he or she becomes a director. Each
grant will be at an exercise price per share equal to the market price of the
Common Stock on the grant date, will become fully exercisable on the first
anniversary of the date of grant, and will have a term of ten years measured
from the grant date, subject to earlier termination if an optionee's service as
a Board member is terminated.
 
     In the event of a change of control (as defined in the Stock Option Plan)
of the Company, each option granted under the Stock Option Plan which has not
previously expired or been cancelled, shall become immediately exercisable in
full.
 
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
 
     Each non-employee member of the Board of Directors will receive an annual
fee of $2,000 plus reimbursement of expenses incurred in attending meetings.
Additionally, each non-employee member of the Board of Directors will
automatically receive option grants, as provided in the Stock Option Plan. See
'Stock Option Plan.'
 
KEY PERSON LIFE INSURANCE
 
     The Company intends to obtain $4 million and $2 million term life insurance
policies covering Mr. Girgenti and Mr. Milton, respectively. The Company will be
the sole beneficiary of such policies.
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
                 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
   
     Healthworld entered into the Consolidation Agreements with the stockholders
of GHB&M and Milton in October 1997 pursuant to which, on November 12, 1997,
Healthworld acquired all of the issued and outstanding stock of each of GHB&M
and Milton from the stockholders of GHB&M and Milton in exchange for an
aggregate of 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company, at which time
GHB&M and Milton became wholly-owned subsidiaries of Healthworld. See 'The
Consolidation.'
    
 
   
     Immediately prior to the consummation of the Consolidation, GHB&M made the
S Corporation Distributions to its stockholders of approximately $3.7 million in
the aggregate from existing cash balances for the payment by such stockholders
of taxes due on S Corporation earnings. See 'The Consolidation.'

    
 
   
     GHB&M has incurred indebtedness which is personally guaranteed by its
stockholders or by entities controlled by its stockholders. In particular, the
payment of all obligations under the GHB&M Credit Facility is guaranteed jointly
and severally by Messrs. Girgenti, Hughes, Butler and Ehrenthal, individually,
and by certain of the companies comprising GHB&M. At September 30, 1997, the
aggregate principal amount of indebtedness outstanding under the GHB&M Credit
Facility was $151,000. In addition, Mr. Milton has personally guaranteed
Milton's obligations under its lease for office space located in Windsor,
Berkshire. The lease expires in June 2004, and the current annual base rent
under the lease is approximately $127,000. Pursuant to the terms of the
Consolidation Agreements, the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts
to have such stockholders' personal guarantees on the balance of the
indebtedness and the obligations under the lease released within 120 days after
the date of the Consolidation and, in the event that the guarantee on the
indebtedness cannot be released, to repay the balance of such indebtedness or to
assume the obligations under the lease, as the case may be.
    
 
   
     In 1991, each of the companies comprising GHB&M and each of their
stockholders entered into certain stockholder agreements. In connection with the
Consolidation, GHB&M and its stockholders terminated such stockholder agreements
concurrent with the consummation of the Consolidation.
    
 
     Todtman, Nachamie, Hendler & Spizz, P.C., of which Alex Spizz, a Director
Nominee, is a partner, represents GHB&M, Healthworld B.V. and the Company in
connection with the Consolidation and other corporate matters.
 
                                       43

<PAGE>
                             PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
 
   
     The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of shares of Common Stock as of the date of this Prospectus for (i)
each director and Director Nominee, (ii) each person known by the Company to be
the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock,
(iii) each executive officer of the Company, and (iv) all directors, Director
Nominees and executive officers of the Company as a group. Each stockholder has
sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares set forth opposite
such stockholder's name. All persons listed below have an address c/o the
Company's principal executive offices in New York.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        PERCENTAGE BENEFICIALLY OWNED
                                                                                     ------------------------------------
NAME                                                           NUMBER OF SHARES      BEFORE OFFERING     AFTER OFFERING
- -----------------------------------------------------------   -------------------    ---------------    -----------------
<S>                                                           <C>                    <C>                <C>
Steven Girgenti............................................        2,195,925               43.9%               30.9%
William Leslie Milton......................................        1,290,984               25.8%               18.2%
Stuart Diamond.............................................            --                    --                  --
William B. Butler..........................................          485,070                9.7%                6.8%
Herbert Ehrenthal..........................................          596,505               11.9%                8.0%
Francis Hughes.............................................          172,500                3.5%                2.4%
Michael Garnham............................................          194,731                3.9%                2.7%
Peter Knight...............................................            --                    --                  --
Colin Lloyd................................................            --                    --                  --
Jonah Shacknai.............................................            --                    --                  --
Alex Spizz.................................................            --                    --                  --
All directors, Director Nominees and executive officers as
  a group (11 persons).....................................        4,935,715               98.7%               69.5%
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       44

<PAGE>
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
     The following summary description of Healthworld's capital stock and
certain provisions of Healthworld's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws does
not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
Healthworld's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, copies of which have been
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'Commission') as exhibits
to Healthworld's registration statement on Form S-1 (the 'Registration
Statement') of which this Prospectus forms a part.
 
GENERAL
 
   
     Healthworld's authorized capital stock consists of 20,000,000 shares of
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock,
par value $.01 per share (the 'Preferred Stock'). Prior to the consummation of
the Offering, Healthworld had outstanding 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock and
no shares of Preferred Stock, and had eight holders of record of Common Stock.
Upon completion of the Offering, Healthworld will have outstanding 7,100,000
shares of Common Stock (7,415,000 shares if the Underwriters' over-allotment
option is exercised in full) and no shares of Preferred Stock.
    
 
COMMON STOCK
 
   
     Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of
record on each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders. Subject to the prior
rights of any series of Preferred Stock which may from time to time be
outstanding, holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive ratably, dividends
when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally
available therefor and, upon the liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the
Company, are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of
liabilities and payment of accrued dividends and liquidation preferences on the
Preferred Stock, if any. Holders of Common Stock have no preemptive rights and
have no rights to convert their Common Stock into any other securities. The
outstanding Common Stock is, and the shares of Common Stock to be issued
pursuant to the Offering will be, upon payment therefor, fully paid and
nonassessable.
    
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The Preferred Stock may be issued from time-to-time by the Board of
Directors in one or more series. Subject to the provisions of Healthworld's
Certificate of Incorporation and limitations prescribed by law, the Board of
Directors is expressly authorized to adopt resolutions to issue shares, to fix
the number of shares and to change the number of shares constituting any series
and to provide for or change the voting powers, designations, preferences and
relative, participating, optional or other special rights, qualifications,
limitations or restrictions thereof, including dividend rights (including
whether dividends are cumulative), dividend rates, terms of redemption
(including sinking fund provisions), redemption prices, conversion rights and

liquidation preferences of the shares constituting any series of the Preferred
Stock, in each case without any further action or vote by the stockholders. The
Company has no current plans to issue any shares of Preferred Stock.
 
     The issuance of Preferred Stock, while providing desired flexibility in
connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could have
the effect of rendering more difficult or discouraging an attempt to obtain
control of the Company by means of a tender offer, proxy contest, merger or
otherwise, thereby protecting the continuity of the Company's management. The
issuance of shares of the Preferred Stock pursuant to the Board of Directors'
authority described above may adversely affect the rights of the holders of
Common Stock. For example, Preferred Stock issued by Healthworld may rank prior
to the Common Stock as to dividend rights, liquidation preference or both, may
have full or limited voting rights and may be convertible into shares of Common
Stock. Accordingly, the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock may discourage
bids for the Common Stock or may otherwise adversely affect the market price of
the Common Stock.
 
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
 
     Healthworld's Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws include provisions
which eliminate the personal liability of Healthworld's directors and officers
for monetary damages resulting from breaches of their fiduciary duty of care
(provided that such provision does not eliminate liability for breaches of the
duty of loyalty, acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, violations of Section 174
of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or for any transaction from which the
director derived an improper personal benefit). These provisions do not limit or
eliminate the right of Healthworld or any stockholder
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
to seek non-monetary relief such as an injunction or rescission in the event of
a breach of a director's duty of care. The Certificate of Incorporation also
provides that Healthworld shall indemnify its directors and officers to the
fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law,
including circumstances in which indemnification is otherwise discretionary. The
Company believes that these provisions are necessary to attract and retain
qualified directors and officers. It is the position of the Commission that
indemnification for liabilities under the Securities Act is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
 
DELAWARE ANTI-TAKEOVER LAW
 
     Under Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the 'Delaware
anti-takeover law'), certain 'business combinations' are prohibited between a
Delaware corporation, the stock of which is generally publicly traded or held of
record by more than 2,000 stockholders, and an 'interested stockholder' of such
corporation for a three-year period following the date that such stockholder
became an interested stockholder, unless (i) the corporation has elected in its
certificate of incorporation not to be governed by the Delaware anti-takeover
law (Healthworld has not made such an election), (ii) the business combination
is approved by the board of directors of the corporation before the other party
to the business combination became an interested stockholder, (iii) upon

consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an
interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the
voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the commencement of the
transaction (excluding voting stock owned by directors who are also officers or
held in employee benefit plans in which the employees do not have a confidential
right to tender or vote stock held by the plan), or (iv) the business
combination was approved by the board of directors of the corporation and
ratified by 66 2/3% of the voting stock which the interested stockholder did not
own. The three-year prohibition also does not apply to certain business
combinations proposed by an interested stockholder following the announcement or
notification of certain extraordinary transactions involving the corporation and
a person who had not been an interested stockholder during the previous three
years or who became an interested stockholder with the approval of a majority of
the corporation's directors. The term 'business combination' is defined
generally to include mergers or consolidations between a Delaware corporation
and an interested stockholder, transactions with an interested stockholder
involving the assets or stock of the corporation or its majority-owned
subsidiaries, and transactions which increase an interested stockholder's
percentage ownership of stock. The term 'interested stockholder' is defined
generally as those stockholders who become beneficial owners of 15% or more of a
Delaware corporation's voting stock.
 
     These provisions could delay or frustrate the removal of incumbent
directors or a change in control of the Company. The provisions also could
discourage, impede, or prevent a merger, tender offer or proxy contest, even if
such event would be favorable to the interests of stockholders.
 
TRANSFER AGENT
 
     American Stock Transfer & Trust Company is the transfer agent and registrar
for the Common Stock.
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
   
     Upon completion of the Offering, Healthworld will have outstanding
7,100,000 shares of Common Stock. All of the 2,100,000 shares of Common Stock
offered hereby (plus any additional shares sold upon exercise of the
Underwriters' over-allotment option) will be freely tradeable without
restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any
shares purchased by any person who is or thereby becomes an 'affiliate' of the
Company, which shares will be subject to the resale limitations contained in
Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act as described below. The remaining
5,000,000 shares of Common Stock, which were issued to the stockholders of GHB&M
and Milton in the Consolidation, are 'restricted securities' within the meaning
of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and, in general, if held for at least one
year, will be eligible for sale in the public market in reliance upon and
subject to the limitations of Rule 144.
    
 
     In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person (or persons
whose shares are aggregated), including a person who may be deemed to be an

'affiliate' of the Company as that term is defined under the Securities Act, is
entitled to sell, within any three month period, the number of shares
beneficially owned for at least one year that does not exceed the greater of (i)
one percent of the number of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock; or
(ii) the average weekly trading volume of the Common Stock during the four
calendar weeks preceding the date on which notice of the proposed sale is sent
to the Commission. Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to certain requirements
as to the manner of sale, notice and the availability of current public
information about the Company. Furthermore, a person who is deemed not to have
been an affiliate of the Company during the 90 days preceding a sale by such
person and who has beneficially owned such shares for at least two years is
entitled to sell such shares without regard to the volume, manner of sale or
notice requirement.
 
   
     The Company and its officers and directors and the stockholders of GHB&M
and Milton who received shares of Common Stock in the Consolidation have entered
into Lock-up Agreements ('Lock-up Agreements') under which they have agreed not
to offer, sell or otherwise dispose of any of their shares of Common Stock or
other securities of Healthworld for a period of 180 days, commencing upon the
date of this Prospectus, without the prior written consent of C. E. Unterberg,
Towbin, other than sales or issuances by Healthworld pursuant to the exercise of
the Underwriters' over-allotment option or pursuant to the grant of stock
options under Healthworld's Stock Option Plan.
    
 
   
     The stockholders of GHB&M and Milton, pursuant to the Consolidation
Agreements, have been granted the right by Healthworld, commencing one year from
the date of this Prospectus, to require Healthworld, subject to certain
exceptions, to include their shares (up to 5,000,000 in the aggregate) in any
and all offerings in which Healthworld proposes to register shares of Common
Stock for its own account or for the account of others under the Securities Act,
subject to the right of any managing underwriter of any such offering to exclude
some or all of the shares for marketing reasons.
    
 
     Prior to the Offering, no public market for Healthworld's securities has
existed. Following the Offering, no predictions can be made as to the effect, if
any, of future public sales of restricted shares or the availability of
restricted shares for sale in the public market. Nevertheless, the sale or
availability for sale of substantial amounts of Common Stock in the public
market could adversely affect prevailing market prices and the ability of the
Company to raise equity capital in the future.
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement
(the 'Underwriting Agreement'), the Company has agreed to sell to each of the
Underwriters named below, and each of the Underwriters, for whom C. E.
Unterberg, Towbin and Pennsylvania Merchant Group Ltd are acting as
Representatives, have severally agreed to purchase, the respective number of

shares of Common Stock set forth opposite its name below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               NUMBER
UNDERWRITER                                                                                   OF SHARES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ---------
<S>                                                                                           <C>
C. E. Unterberg, Towbin....................................................................
Pennsylvania Merchant Group Ltd............................................................
 
                                                                                              ---------
     Total.................................................................................   2,100,000
                                                                                              ---------
                                                                                              ---------
</TABLE>
 
     In the Underwriting Agreement, the several Underwriters have agreed,
subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, to purchase all of the
shares of Common Stock offered hereby if any such shares are purchased. In the
event of a default by an Underwriter, the Underwriting Agreement provides that,
in certain circumstances, such commitments of the non-defaulting Underwriters
may be increased or the Underwriting Agreement may be terminated.
 
     The Representatives have advised the Company that the Underwriters propose
initially to offer the shares of Common Stock offered hereby to the public at
the public offering price per share set forth on the cover page of this
Prospectus and to certain dealers at such price less a concession not in excess
of $        per share. The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow,
a discount not in excess of $        per share on sales to certain other
dealers. After the public offering, the offering price, discount and reallowance
may be changed.
 
     The Company has granted the Underwriters an option, which may be exercised
within 30 days after the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to an
additional 315,000 shares of Common Stock to cover over-allotments, if any, at
the initial public offering price, less the underwriting discount. To the extent
that the Underwriters exercise the option, each of the Underwriters will have a
firm commitment, subject to certain conditions, to purchase approximately the
same percentage of shares that the number of shares of Common Stock to be
purchased by it shown on the foregoing table bears to the total number of shares
initially offered hereby.
 
     The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to
payments the Underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof.
 
     The Company has agreed to pay the Representatives a non-accountable expense
allowance equal to 1% of the aggregate offering price of the shares of Common
Stock offered hereby (including any shares of Common Stock purchased pursuant to
the exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option).
 
     In connection with the Offering, the Underwriters may purchase and sell the
Common Stock in the open market. These transactions may include (i)

over-allotment transactions, (ii) stabilizing transactions, consisting of
certain bids or purchases for the purpose of preventing or restraining a decline
in the market price of the Common Stock, and (iii) purchases to cover syndicate
short positions created in connection with the Offering. The Underwriters also
may impose a penalty bid, whereby selling concessions allowed to syndicate
members or other broker-dealers in respect of the Common Stock sold in the
Offering for their account may be reclaimed by the
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
syndicate if such shares of Common Stock are repurchased by the syndicate in
stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain
or otherwise affect the market price of the Common Stock which may be higher
than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. These
transactions may be effected on The Nasdaq National Market or otherwise, and
these activities, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
 
     The Underwriters have informed the Company that they do not intend to
confirm sales to any accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.
 
     The Common Stock has been approved for quotation on The Nasdaq National
Market under the symbol 'HWLD.'
 
   
     The Company and its officers and directors and the stockholders of GHB&M
and Milton who received shares of Common Stock in the Consolidation have entered
into Lock-Up Agreements under which they have agreed not to offer, sell or
otherwise dispose of any of their shares of Common Stock or other securities of
the Company for a period of 180 days after the date of this Prospectus without
the prior written consent of C. E. Unterberg, Towbin, other than sales or
issuances by the Company pursuant to the exercise of the Underwriters'
over-allotment option or pursuant to the grant of stock options under
Healthworld's Stock Option Plan.
    
 
     Prior to the Offering, there has been no public market for the Common
Stock. The initial public offering price of the Common Stock offered hereby will
be determined by negotiation between the Company and the Representatives and
will not necessarily be related to the Company's asset value, net worth or other
established criteria of value. In determining the initial public offering price,
the Representatives and the Company will consider, among other things, market
prices of similar securities of comparable publicly traded companies, the
financial conditions and operating information of companies engaged in
activities similar to those of the Company, the financial condition and
prospects of the Company and the general condition of the securities market.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The validity of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby will be passed
upon for the Company by Rosenman & Colin LLP, New York, New York. Certain legal
matters in connection with the sale of the shares offered hereby will be passed
upon for the Underwriters by Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P., New
York, New York.
 

                                    EXPERTS
 
     The financial statements of Healthworld, the combined financial statements
of GHB&M and the consolidated financial statements of Milton included elsewhere
in this Prospectus have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public
accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect thereto, and are
included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in
accounting and auditing in giving said reports.
 
                           FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
     This Prospectus and the Registration Statement, of which this Prospectus is
a part, contain various forward-looking statements and information that are
based on management's beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information
currently available to management for the Company. Although the Company believes
that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are
reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have
been correct. Such statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and
assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or
should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary
materially from those expected. Among the key factors that may have a direct
bearing on the Company's operating results are fluctuations in the economy,
successful integration of future acquisitions and the impact of competition.
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
     The Company is not subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 'Exchange Act'). The Company has filed
with the Commission a Registration Statement, together with exhibits thereto,
relating to the shares of Common Stock offered hereby. This Prospectus, which
constitutes a part of the Registration Statement, omits certain of the
information set forth in the Registration Statement. For further information
with respect to the Company and to the shares of Common Stock offered hereby,
reference is made to such Registration Statement. Statements contained in this
Prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other documents referred to are
not necessarily complete, and in each instance, reference is made to the copy of
such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such
reference. The Registration Statement and exhibits may be inspected and copied
at the public reference section at the Commission's principal office, 450 5th
Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's
Regional Offices located at the Northwestern Atrium Center, Suite 1400, 500 West
Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511, and 7 World Trade Center, 13th
Floor, New York, New York 10048. Copies may be obtained from the Commission's
principal office upon payment of the fees prescribed by the Commission. Copies
of such materials can be obtained from the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20545, at prescribed rates. In addition,
the Commission maintains a Website on the Internet that contains reports, proxy
and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file
electronically with the Commission. The address of the Commission's Website is
http://www.sec.gov.
 

     Following the Offering, the Company will be subject to the reporting and
other requirements of the Exchange Act and intends to furnish to its
stockholders annual reports containing audited financial statements and
quarterly reports containing unaudited consolidated summary financial
information for each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year.
 
                                       50

<PAGE>
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                              PAGE
                                                                                                              ----
<S>                                                                                                           <C>
HEALTHWORLD CORPORATION PRO FORMA COMBINING
Introduction to Unaudited Pro Forma Combining Financial Statements.........................................    F-2
Pro Forma Combining Balance Sheets (unaudited).............................................................    F-3
Pro Forma Combining Statements of Income (unaudited).......................................................    F-6
Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combining Financial Statements................................................   F-11
HEALTHWORLD CORPORATION
Report of Independent Public Accountants...................................................................   F-13
Balance Sheet..............................................................................................   F-14
Notes to Balance Sheet.....................................................................................   F-15
GIRGENTI, HUGHES, BUTLER & MCDOWELL, INC. AND AFFILIATES
Report of Independent Public Accountants...................................................................   F-16
Combined Balance Sheets....................................................................................   F-17
Combined Statements of Income..............................................................................   F-18
Combined Statements of Stockholders' Equity................................................................   F-19
Combined Statements of Cash Flows..........................................................................   F-20
Notes to Combined Financial Statements.....................................................................   F-21
MILTON MARKETING GROUP LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Report of Independent Public Accountants...................................................................   F-26
Consolidated Balance Sheets................................................................................   F-27
Consolidated Statements of Income..........................................................................   F-28
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity............................................................   F-29
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows......................................................................   F-30
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.................................................................   F-31
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1

<PAGE>
                            HEALTHWORLD CORPORATION
               UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                             BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
   
     The following unaudited pro forma combining financial statements give
effect to the contributions of the outstanding capital stock of Girgenti,
Hughes, Butler and McDowell, Inc. and its affiliated entities ('GHB&M') and
Milton Marketing Group Limited and its subsidiaries ('Milton'), including the
minority interest stockholders in such subsidiaries, to Healthworld Corporation
(the 'Company') in exchange for an aggregate of 5,000,000 shares of common stock
of the Company (collectively, the 'Consolidation'). The Consolidation occurred
on November 12, 1997 and has been accounted for using the pooling of interests
method of accounting.
    
 
     The unaudited pro forma combining balance sheets give effect to the
Consolidation, S Corporation distributions to the stockholders of the companies
comprising GHB&M (other than Syberactive, Inc.), the contribution by the
stockholders of GHB&M to the Company of undistributed S Corporation earnings,
the purchase by the Company of minority interests in certain of Milton's
subsidiaries, and the sale by GHB&M of certain of its accounts receivable, as if
each event had occurred on the date of each respective balance sheet. The
unaudited pro forma combining statements of income give effect to the
Consolidation, the tax impact of the termination of 'S' Corporation status of
the companies comprising GHB&M, and the purchase of Milton's minority interests,
as if each event had occurred at the beginning of each period presented.
 
   
     The pro forma adjustments are based on the historical financial position
and results of operations for the periods presented, preliminary estimates, and
available information. These pro forma adjustments should not be subject to
material fluctuation. The amount of GHB&M's S Corporation distributions are
based on management's estimate of the tax liability of GHB&M's stockholders for
GHB&M's 1997 taxable income at the time of the Consolidation. The pro forma
financial data does not purport to represent what the Company's financial
position or results of operations would actually have been if such transactions
in fact had occurred on the dates indicated or to project the Company's
financial position or results of operations for any future period. Since GHB&M
and Milton were not under common control or management, historical combined
results may not be comparable to, or indicative of, future performance. The
unaudited pro forma combining financial statements should be read in conjunction
with the other financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this
Prospectus. For a discussion of the risk factors associated with the Company and
its business, see 'Risk Factors' included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
    
 
                                      F-2

<PAGE>
                            HEALTHWORLD CORPORATION
                  UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINING BALANCE SHEETS
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            PRO FORMA
                                                                       GHB&M     MILTON    ADJUSTMENTS    PRO FORMA
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                                            (NOTE 2) 
<S>                                                                   <C>        <C>       <C>            <C>
                              ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents........................................   $   627    $  511      $    --       $ 1,138
  Accounts receivable..............................................     7,854     1,058           --         8,912
  Unbilled production charges......................................     3,060        49           --         3,109
  Other current assets.............................................       242       147           --           389
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Total current assets...............................................    11,783     1,765           --        13,548
Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net...............     1,136       634           --         1,770
Goodwill, net......................................................        --       994        2,086(d)      3,080
Other assets.......................................................       368         8           --           376
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                      $13,287    $3,401      $ 2,086       $18,774
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
 
               LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Line of credit...................................................   $   600    $   --      $    --       $   600
  Bank loans and overdrafts........................................        --        24           --            24
  Current portion of long-term debt................................        82       107           --           189
  Current portion of capitalized lease obligation..................        --        74           --            74
  Accounts payable.................................................     1,361       340           --         1,701
  Accrued expenses.................................................       110       936           --         1,046
  Advance billings.................................................     5,569       441           --         6,010
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Total current liabilities..........................................     7,722     1,922           --         9,644
Long-term debt.....................................................        --       882           --           882
Capitalized lease obligation.......................................        --        78           --            78
Minority interests.................................................        --        89          (89)(d)        --
Deferred rent......................................................       642        --           --           642
Deferred income taxes..............................................       118        --           --           118
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Total liabilities..................................................     8,482     2,971          (89)       11,364
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock.....................................................       289        --         (241)(a)        50
                                                                                                   2(d)
  Additional paid-in capital.......................................        --        13          241(a)      2,427
                                                                                               2,173(d)

  Retained earnings................................................     4,516       423           --         4,939
  Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments..............        --        (6)          --            (6)
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Total stockholders' equity.........................................     4,805       430        2,175         7,410
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                      $13,287    $3,401      $ 2,086       $18,774
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited pro forma
                        combining financial statements.
                                      F-3

<PAGE>
                            HEALTHWORLD CORPORATION
                  UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINING BALANCE SHEETS
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            PRO FORMA
                                                                       GHB&M     MILTON    ADJUSTMENTS    PRO FORMA
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                                            (NOTE 2)
<S>                                                                   <C>        <C>       <C>            <C>
                              ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents........................................   $ 2,214    $   --      $    --       $ 2,214
  Accounts receivable..............................................     8,539     3,266           --        11,805
  Unbilled production charges......................................     1,477        87           --         1,564
  Other current assets.............................................       122       415           --           537
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Total current assets...............................................    12,352     3,768           --        16,120
Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net...............     1,242       870           --         2,112
Goodwill, net......................................................        --     1,800        2,123(d)      3,923
Other assets.......................................................       455        49           --           504
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                      $14,049    $6,487      $ 2,123       $22,659
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
 
               LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Line of credit...................................................   $   400    $   --      $    --       $   400
  Bank loans and overdrafts........................................        --       406           --           406
  Current portion of long-term debt................................        98       118           --           216
  Current portion of capitalized lease obligation..................        --       125           --           125
  Accounts payable.................................................     1,327     1,144           --         2,471
  Accrued expenses.................................................       120     1,977           --         2,097
  Advance billings.................................................     5,739       534           --         6,273
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Total current liabilities..........................................     7,684     4,304           --        11,988
Long-term debt.....................................................       125       825           --           950
Capitalized lease obligation.......................................        --       128           --           128
Minority interests.................................................        --       143         (143)(d)        --
Deferred rent......................................................       665        --           --           665
Deferred income taxes..............................................       207        --           --           207
Other liabilities..................................................        --        83           --            83
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Total liabilities..................................................     8,681     5,483         (143)       14,021
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock.....................................................       290        --         (243)(a)        50
                                                                                                   3(d)
  Additional paid-in capital.......................................        --        13          243(a)      2,519

                                                                                               2,263(d)
  Retained earnings................................................     5,078       925           --         6,003
  Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments..............        --        66           --            66
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Total stockholders' equity.........................................     5,368     1,004        2,266         8,638
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                      $14,049    $6,487      $ 2,123       $22,659
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited pro forma
                        combining financial statements.
                                      F-4

<PAGE>
                            HEALTHWORLD CORPORATION
                  UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINING BALANCE SHEETS
                               SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            PRO FORMA
                                                                       GHB&M     MILTON    ADJUSTMENTS    PRO FORMA
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                                            (NOTE 2)
<S>                                                                   <C>        <C>       <C>            <C>
                              ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents........................................   $ 1,873    $   --      $(3,700)(b)   $   773
                                                                                               2,600(e)
  Accounts receivable..............................................     8,430     4,591       (2,600)(e)    10,421
  Unbilled production charges......................................     3,040       196           --         3,236
  Other current assets.............................................        78       518           --           596
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Total current assets...............................................    13,421     5,305       (3,700)       15,026
Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net...............     1,372       926           --         2,298
Goodwill, net......................................................        --     1,696        1,982(d)      3,678
Other assets.......................................................     1,444       231           --         1,675
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                      $16,237    $8,158      $(1,718)      $22,677
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
               LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Bank loans and overdrafts........................................        --     1,154           --         1,154
  Current portion of long-term debt................................       100       581           --           681
  Current portion of capitalized lease obligation..................        --       123           --           123
  Accounts payable.................................................     2,265     1,518           --         3,783
  Accrued expenses.................................................       414     2,126           --         2,540
  Advance billings.................................................     5,239       912           --         6,151
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Total current liabilities..........................................     8,018     6,414           --        14,432
Long-term debt.....................................................        51       285           --           336
Capitalized lease obligation.......................................        --       135           --           135
Minority interests.................................................        --       284         (284)(d)        --
Deferred rent......................................................       742        --           --           742
Deferred income taxes..............................................       380        --           --           380
Other liabilities..................................................        --        55           --            55
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Total liabilities..................................................     9,191     7,173         (284)       16,080
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Stockholders' Equity:
  Common stock.....................................................       290        --         (243)(a)        50
                                                                                                   3(d)
  Additional paid-in capital.......................................        --        13          243(a)      5,721
                                                                                               2,263(d)

                                                                                               3,202(c)
  Retained earnings................................................     6,756       971       (3,700)(b)       825
                                                                                              (3,202)(c)
  Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments..............        --         1           --             1
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Total stockholders' equity.........................................     7,046       985       (1,434)        6,597
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                      $16,237    $8,158      $(1,718)      $22,677
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited pro forma
                        combining financial statements.
                                      F-5

<PAGE>
                            HEALTHWORLD CORPORATION
               UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINING STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            PRO FORMA
                                                                       GHB&M     MILTON    ADJUSTMENTS    PRO FORMA
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                                            (NOTE 3)
<S>                                                                   <C>        <C>       <C>            <C>
Revenues...........................................................   $10,415    $2,666      $    --       $13,081
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Operating expenses:
     Salaries and related costs....................................     6,416     1,474           --         7,890
     Other operating expenses......................................     2,911       802           14(b)      3,727
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                        9,327     2,276           14        11,617
Income from operations.............................................     1,088       390          (14)        1,464
Interest expense, net..............................................         2        12           --            14
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Income before provision for income taxes and minority interests....     1,086       378          (14)        1,450
Provision for income taxes.........................................        19       117          477(a)        613
Minority interests in net earnings of subsidiaries.................        --        39          (39)(b)        --
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Net income.........................................................   $ 1,067    $  222      $  (452)      $   837
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Earnings per share.................................................                                        $  0.17
                                                                                                          ---------
                                                                                                          ---------
Shares used in computing earnings per share........................                                          5,000
                                                                                                          ---------
                                                                                                          ---------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited pro forma
                        combining financial statements.
                                      F-6

<PAGE>
                            HEALTHWORLD CORPORATION
               UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINING STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            PRO FORMA
                                                                       GHB&M     MILTON    ADJUSTMENTS    PRO FORMA
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                                            (NOTE 3) 
<S>                                                                   <C>        <C>       <C>            <C>
Revenues...........................................................   $12,368    $4,399      $    --       $16,767
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Operating expenses:
     Salaries and related costs....................................     7,326     2,531           --         9,857
     Other operating expenses......................................     3,115     1,310           44(b)      4,469
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                       10,441     3,841           44        14,326
Income from operations.............................................     1,927       558          (44)        2,441
Interest expense, net..............................................       (13)       15           --             2
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Income before provision for income taxes and minority interests....     1,940       543          (44)        2,439
Provision for income taxes.........................................       124       159          755(a)      1,038
Minority interests in net earnings of subsidiaries.................        --        68          (68)(b)        --
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Net income.........................................................   $ 1,816    $  316      $  (731)      $ 1,401
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Earnings per share.................................................                                        $  0.28
                                                                                                          ---------
                                                                                                          ---------
Shares used in computing earnings per share........................                                          5,000
                                                                                                          ---------
                                                                                                          ---------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited pro forma
                        combining financial statements.
                                      F-7

<PAGE>
                            HEALTHWORLD CORPORATION
               UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINING STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            PRO FORMA
                                                                       GHB&M     MILTON    ADJUSTMENTS    PRO FORMA
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                                            (NOTE 3) 
<S>                                                                   <C>        <C>       <C>            <C>
Revenues...........................................................   $14,314    $9,895      $    --       $24,209
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Operating expenses:
     Salaries and related costs....................................     8,940     6,793           --        15,733
     Other operating expenses......................................     3,191     2,017           66(b)      5,274
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                       12,131     8,810           66        21,007
Income from operations.............................................     2,183     1,085          (66)        3,202
Interest expense, net..............................................       (24)       93           --            69
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Income before provision for income taxes and minority interests....     2,207       992          (66)        3,133
Provision for income taxes.........................................       158       366          781(a)      1,305
Minority interests in net earnings of subsidiaries.................        --       124         (124)(b)        --
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Net income.........................................................   $ 2,049    $  502      $  (723)      $ 1,828
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Earnings per share.................................................                                        $  0.37
                                                                                                          ---------
                                                                                                          ---------
Shares used in computing earnings per share........................                                          5,000
                                                                                                          ---------
                                                                                                          ---------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited pro forma
                        combining financial statements.
                                      F-8

<PAGE>
                            HEALTHWORLD CORPORATION
               UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINING STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                  FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            PRO FORMA
                                                                       GHB&M     MILTON    ADJUSTMENTS    PRO FORMA
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                                            (NOTE 3) 
<S>                                                                   <C>        <C>       <C>            <C>
Revenues...........................................................   $10,165    $7,194      $    --       $17,359
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Operating expenses:
     Salaries and related costs....................................     6,669     5,220           --        11,889
     Other operating expenses......................................     2,366     1,311           52(b)      3,729
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                        9,035     6,531           52        15,618
Income from operations.............................................     1,130       663          (52)        1,741
Interest expense, net..............................................       (51)       66           --            15
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Income before provision for income taxes and minority interests....     1,181       597          (52)        1,726
Provision for income taxes.........................................        85       221          417(a)        723
Minority interests in net earnings of subsidiaries.................        --       100         (100)(b)        --
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Net income.........................................................   $ 1,096    $  276      $  (369)      $ 1,003
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
                                                                      -------    ------    -----------    ---------
Earnings per share.................................................                                        $  0.20
                                                                                                          ---------
                                                                                                          ---------
Shares used in computing earnings per share........................                                          5,000
                                                                                                          ---------
                                                                                                          ---------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited pro forma
                        combining financial statements.
                                      F-9

<PAGE>
                            HEALTHWORLD CORPORATION
               UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINING STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                  FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            PRO FORMA
                                                                      GHB&M     MILTON     ADJUSTMENTS    PRO FORMA
                                                                     -------    -------    -----------    ---------
                                                                                            (NOTE 3) 
<S>                                                                  <C>        <C>        <C>            <C>
Revenues..........................................................   $12,562    $10,624      $    --       $23,186
                                                                     -------    -------    -----------    ---------
Operating expenses:
     Salaries and related costs...................................     7,791      8,251           --        16,042
     Other operating expenses.....................................     2,512      1,794           52(b)      4,358
                                                                     -------    -------    -----------    ---------
                                                                      10,303     10,045           52        20,400
Income from operations............................................     2,259        579          (52)        2,786
Interest expense, net.............................................       (94)        86           --            (8)
                                                                     -------    -------    -----------    ---------
Income before provision for income taxes and minority interests...     2,353        493          (52)        2,794
Provision for income taxes........................................       177        182          823(a)      1,182
Minority interests in net earnings of subsidiaries................        --        160         (160)(b)        --
                                                                     -------    -------    -----------    ---------
Net income........................................................   $ 2,176    $   151      $  (715)      $ 1,612
                                                                     -------    -------    -----------    ---------
                                                                     -------    -------    -----------    ---------
Earnings per share................................................                                         $  0.32
                                                                                                          ---------
                                                                                                          ---------
Shares used in computing earnings per share.......................                                           5,000
                                                                                                          ---------
                                                                                                          ---------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited pro forma
                        combining financial statements.
                                      F-10

<PAGE>
                            HEALTHWORLD CORPORATION
          NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
1. GENERAL
 
   
     Healthworld Corporation (the 'Company') was incorporated in Delaware on
September 12, 1996. The Company conducted no operations prior to November 12,
1997, at which time it acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Girgenti,
Hughes, Butler and McDowell, Inc. and its affiliated entities ('GHB&M') and
Milton Marketing Group Limited and its subsidiaries ('Milton'), including the
minority interest stockholders in such subsidiaries in exchange for an aggregate
of 5,000 shares of common stock of the Company (the 'Consolidation'). The
Consolidation has been accounted for using the pooling of interests method of
accounting.
    
 
     The periods included in these unaudited pro forma combining financial
statements include, (i) with respect to periods as of and for the year ended
December 31, financial data for GHB&M based on a December 31 fiscal year end and
for Milton based on a November 30 fiscal year end and (ii) with respect to
periods as of September 30, financial data for GHB&M at September 30 and for
Milton at August 31.
 
2. UNAUDITED PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET ADJUSTMENTS
 
     The following pro forma adjustments have been made to the Company's pro
forma combining balance sheets to reflect:
 
     a. the Consolidation;
 
   
     b. a $3,700 distribution made to the stockholders of the companies
        comprising GHB&M (other than Syberactive, Inc.) immediately prior to the
        consummation of the Consolidation from existing cash balances for
        payment by such stockholders of income taxes on GHB&M's estimated 1997
        'S' Corporation earnings through the date of the Consolidation;
    
 
   
     c. an increase in additional paid-in capital of $3,202 and a corresponding
        decrease in 'S' Corporation retained earnings of GHB&M as if the 'S'
        Corporation status of the companies comprising GHB&M was terminated on
        September 30, 1997;
    
 
   
     d. the acquisition of minority interests in Milton's subsidiaries and the
        goodwill resulting therefrom. The holders of minority interests in
        certain of Milton's subsidiaries exchanged all of their shares in such
        subsidiaries for an agreed upon aggregate purchase price of $2,266 which
        was paid for in shares of the Company's common stock based upon a per

        share value of $8.75. The acquisition has been accounted for using the
        purchase method of accounting;
    
 
   
     e. the sale of approximately $2,600 of accounts receivable of GHB&M to an
        unaffiliated financial institution at a negotiated discount rate prior
        to the consummation of the Consolidation. Such sale was undertaken in
        connection with the termination of the status of each of the companies
        comprising GHB&M as 'S' Corporations, which occurred as a result of and
        upon consummation of the Consolidation.
    
 
3. UNAUDITED PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF INCOME ADJUSTMENTS
 
     The following pro forma adjustments have been made to the Company's pro
forma combining statements of income to reflect:
 
     a. a provision for federal and state income taxes as if each of the
        companies comprising GHB&M were treated as 'C' Corporations rather than
        'S' Corporations for such periods; and
 
   
     b. the acquisition of minority interests in Milton's subsidiaries and the
        goodwill resulting therefrom. The holders of minority interests in
        certain of Milton's subsidiaries exchanged all of their shares in such
        subsidiaries for an agreed upon aggregate purchase price of $2,266 which
        was paid for in shares of the
    
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>

                            HEALTHWORLD CORPORATION
    NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
3. UNAUDITED PRO FORMA INCOME STATEMENT ADJUSTMENTS--(CONTINUED)
   
       Company's common stock based upon a per share value of $8.75. The
        acquisition has been accounted for using the purchase method of
        accounting.
    
 
4. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
 
     The Company is pursuing an initial public offering of its common stock. The
Offering presently contemplates the sale of 2,100 shares of common stock at an
assumed initial offering price of $8.75 per share. The Company plans to use a
portion of the proceeds of the Offering to repay a loan. The Company's
supplementary pro forma net income per share for the year ended December 31,
1996 and the nine months ended September 30, 1997, which follows, gives
supplemental effect to the issuance of 53 and 52 shares of its common stock,
respectively, which is the number of additional shares of its common stock which

would need to be issued in the Offering from which the proceeds from such
additional issuance could be used to repay the $462 loan which was outstanding
at December 31, 1996 or the $456 of such loan which was outstanding at September
30, 1997, as well as to effect the reduction of related interest expense for
such periods. Such additional shares are presumed outstanding for supplementary
purposes only, and were neither issued nor outstanding for any purpose during
the year ended December 31, 1996 or the nine months ended September 30, 1997.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    FOR THE YEAR
                                                        ENDED          FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                  DECEMBER 31, 1996       SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
                                                  -----------------    -------------------------
<S>                                               <C>                  <C>
Supplementary pro forma net income per share...         $ .36                    $ .32
Supplementary weighted average common shares
  outstanding..................................         5,053                    5,052
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-12

<PAGE>
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To Healthworld Corporation:
 
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Healthworld Corporation (a
Delaware corporation) as of October 13, 1997. This financial statement is the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on this financial statement based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the balance sheet is free of material misstatement. An
audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the balance sheet. An audit also includes assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well
as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the balance sheet referred to above presents fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Healthworld Corporation as of
October 13, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
   
                                                 /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
                                           ------------------------------------
                                                   Arthur Andersen LLP
    
 
   
Melville, New York
October 13, 1997
     (except with respect to the matters
     discussed in Note 1 as to which
     the date is November 12, 1997)
    
 
                                      F-13

<PAGE>
                            HEALTHWORLD CORPORATION
                                 BALANCE SHEET
                             AS OF OCTOBER 13, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                               <C>
                                            ASSETS
Cash...........................................................................................         $ 100
                                                                                                       ------
     Total assets..............................................................................         $ 100
                                                                                                       ------
                                                                                                       ------
                             LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Total liabilities..............................................................................         $  --
Stockholders' Equity:
  Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; no shares outstanding..........            --
  Common stock, $.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 100 shares outstanding...........             1
  Additional paid-in capital...................................................................            99
                                                                                                       ------
     Total stockholders' equity................................................................           100
                                                                                                       ------
     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity................................................         $ 100
                                                                                                       ------
                                                                                                       ------
</TABLE>
 
       The accompanying notes are an integral part of this balance sheet.
 
                                      F-14

<PAGE>
                            HEALTHWORLD CORPORATION
                             NOTES TO BALANCE SHEET
                                OCTOBER 13, 1997
 
1. ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS
 
   
     Healthworld Corporation ('Healthworld') was incorporated in Delaware on
September 12, 1996 and conducted no operations prior to November 12, 1997. Prior
to the consummation of the initial public offering of its common stock (the
'Offering'), Healthworld entered into separate Agreements and Plans of
Organization (the 'Consolidation Agreements'), dated as of October 23, 1997,
with the stockholders of Girgenti, Hughes, Butler & McDowell, Inc. and
affiliates ('GHB&M') and Milton Marketing Group and subsidiaries ('Milton'),
including the minority interest stockholders in such subsidiaries. Pursuant to
the Consolidation Agreements, on November 12, 1997, Healthworld acquired all of
the issued and outstanding stock of each of GHB&M and Milton from the
stockholders of GHB&M and Milton in exchange for an aggregate of 5,000,000
shares of common stock of Healthworld, at which time GHB&M and Milton became
wholly-owned subsidiaries of Healthworld.
    
 
2. STOCK ISSUANCE
 
     On October 13, 1997, Healthworld issued one hundred shares of common stock
to the stockholders of GHB&M in exchange for cash in the amount of $100.
 
                                      F-15

<PAGE>
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To Girgenti, Hughes, Butler & McDowell, Inc.
and Affiliates:
 
We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of Girgenti, Hughes,
Butler & McDowell, Inc. (a New York corporation) and Affiliates as of December
31, 1995 and 1996, and the related combined statements of income, stockholders'
equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1996. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Girgenti, Hughes, Butler &
McDowell, Inc. and Affiliates as of December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the results
of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1996 in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
   
                                                 /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
                                          -------------------------------------
                                                   Arthur Andersen LLP
    
 
   
Melville, New York
January 24, 1997
  (except with respect to the matters
  discussed in Note 9 as to which
  the date is November 12, 1997)
    
 
                                      F-16

<PAGE>
            GIRGENTI, HUGHES, BUTLER & MCDOWELL, INC. AND AFFILIATES
                            COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                ------------------    SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                                 1995       1996          1997
                                                                                -------    -------    -------------
                                                                                                       (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                             <C>        <C>        <C>
                                   ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents..................................................   $   627    $ 2,214       $ 1,873
  Accounts receivable........................................................     7,854      8,539         8,430
  Unbilled production charges, at cost.......................................     3,060      1,477         3,040
  Other current assets.......................................................       242        122            78
                                                                                -------    -------    -------------
Total current assets.........................................................    11,783     12,352        13,421
Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net.........................     1,136      1,242         1,372
Other assets.................................................................       368        455         1,444
                                                                                -------    -------    -------------
                                                                                $13,287    $14,049       $16,237
                                                                                -------    -------    -------------
                                                                                -------    -------    -------------
                    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Line of credit.............................................................   $   600    $   400       $    --
  Current portion of long-term debt..........................................        82         98           100
  Accounts payable...........................................................     1,361      1,327         2,265
  Accrued expenses...........................................................       110        120           414
  Advance production billings................................................     5,569      5,739         5,239
                                                                                -------    -------    -------------
Total current liabilities....................................................     7,722      7,684         8,018
Commitments (Note 7)
Long-term debt...............................................................        --        125            51
Deferred rent................................................................       642        665           742
Deferred income taxes........................................................       118        207           380
                                                                                -------    -------    -------------
                                                                                  8,482      8,681         9,191
                                                                                -------    -------    -------------
Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock...............................................................       289        290           290
  Retained earnings..........................................................     4,516      5,078         6,756
                                                                                -------    -------    -------------
Total stockholders' equity...................................................     4,805      5,368         7,046
                                                                                -------    -------    -------------
                                                                                $13,287    $14,049       $16,237
                                                                                -------    -------    -------------
                                                                                -------    -------    -------------
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to combined financial statements are an integral part of
                             these balance sheets.
                                      F-17

<PAGE>
            GIRGENTI, HUGHES, BUTLER & MCDOWELL, INC. AND AFFILIATES
                         COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  NINE MONTHS
                                                                                                ENDED SEPTEMBER
                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,              30,
                                                              -----------------------------    ------------------
                                                               1994       1995       1996       1996       1997
                                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
                                                                                                  (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Revenues...................................................   $10,415    $12,368    $14,314    $10,165    $12,562
                                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
Operating expenses:
  Salaries and related costs...............................     6,416      7,326      8,940      6,669      7,791
  Other operating expenses.................................     2,911      3,115      3,191      2,366      2,512
                                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
                                                                9,327     10,441     12,131      9,035     10,303
Income from operations.....................................     1,088      1,927      2,183      1,130      2,259
Interest expense, net......................................         2        (13)       (24)       (51)       (94)
                                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
Income before provision for income taxes...................     1,086      1,940      2,207      1,181      2,353
Provision for income taxes.................................        19        124        158         85        177
                                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
Net income.................................................   $ 1,067    $ 1,816    $ 2,049    $ 1,096    $ 2,176
                                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
                                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
Pro forma information--unaudited (note 9):
  Income before provision for income taxes.................   $ 1,086    $ 1,940    $ 2,207    $ 1,181    $ 2,353
  Pro forma provision for income taxes.....................       496        879        939        502      1,000
                                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
  Pro forma net income.....................................   $   590    $ 1,061    $ 1,268    $   679    $ 1,353
                                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
                                                              -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to combined financial statements are an integral part of
                               these statements.
                                      F-18

<PAGE>
            GIRGENTI, HUGHES, BUTLER & MCDOWELL, INC. AND AFFILIATES
                  COMBINED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                COMMON    RETAINED
                                                                                                STOCK     EARNINGS
                                                                                                ------    --------
<S>                                                                                             <C>       <C>
Balance, December 31, 1993...................................................................    $289      $2,386
  Net income.................................................................................      --       1,067
  Stockholders' distributions................................................................      --        (544)
                                                                                                ------    --------
Balance, December 31, 1994...................................................................     289       2,909
  Net income.................................................................................      --       1,816
  Stockholders' distributions................................................................      --        (209)
                                                                                                ------    --------
Balance, December 31, 1995...................................................................     289       4,516
  Net income.................................................................................      --       2,049
  Stockholders' distributions................................................................      --      (1,487)
  Issuance of common stock in new affiliate..................................................       1          --
                                                                                                ------    --------
Balance, December 31, 1996...................................................................     290       5,078
  Net income (unaudited).....................................................................      --       2,176
  Stockholders' distributions (unaudited)....................................................      --        (498)
                                                                                                ------    --------
Balance, September 30, 1997 (unaudited)......................................................    $290      $6,756
                                                                                                ------    --------
                                                                                                ------    --------
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to combined financial statements are an integral part of
                               these statements.
                                      F-19

<PAGE>

            GIRGENTI, HUGHES, BUTLER & MCDOWELL, INC. AND AFFILIATES
                       COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        NINE MONTHS
                                            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                 ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                           --------------------------    ------------------------------------------
                                            1994      1995      1996            1996                   1997
                                           ------    ------    ------    -------------------    -------------------
                                                                                        (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>                    <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income............................   $1,067    $1,816    $2,049          $ 1,096                $ 2,176
     Adjustments to reconcile net income
     to net cash provided by operating
     activities:
       Depreciation and amortization....      214       274       402              268                    320
       Deferred rent....................       80       200        23               17                     77
       Deferred income taxes............       --        83        89               85                    173
     Changes in operating assets and
     liabilities:
       Accounts receivable..............   (1,652)      336      (685)             571                    109
       Unbilled production charges......      287      (719)    1,583              778                 (1,563)
       Other current assets.............       18       (88)      120              (73)                    44
       Other assets.....................       95        30       (88)             (22)                  (989)
       Accounts payable.................     (145)      253       (35)            (614)                   938
       Advanced production billing......    1,313    (1,653)      171             (530)                  (500)
       Accrued expenses.................     (125)       98         9              149                    294
                                           ------    ------    ------          -------                -------
Net cash provided by operating
activities..............................    1,152       630     3,638            1,725                  1,079
                                           ------    ------    ------          -------                -------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Capital expenditures, net.............     (258)     (563)     (507)            (244)                  (450)
                                           ------    ------    ------          -------                -------
Net cash (used in) investing
activities..............................     (258)     (563)     (507)            (244)                  (450)
                                           ------    ------    ------          -------                -------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Distributions to stockholders.........     (544)     (209)   (1,487)            (772)                  (498)
  Net (repayment) proceeds from line of
     credit.............................     (100)      200      (200)            (200)                  (400)
  Issuance of long-term debt............       --        --       300              300                     --
  Repayment of long-term debt...........      (97)     (105)     (158)            (135)                   (72)
  Issuance of common stock in new
     affiliate..........................       --        --         1                1                     --
                                           ------    ------    ------          -------                -------
Net cash (used in) financing
activities..............................     (741)     (114)   (1,544)            (806)                  (970)
                                           ------    ------    ------          -------                -------

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents.............................      153       (47)    1,587              675                   (341)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
of year.................................      521       674       627              627                  2,214
                                           ------    ------    ------          -------                -------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
year....................................   $  674    $  627    $2,214          $ 1,302                $ 1,873
                                           ------    ------    ------          -------                -------
                                           ------    ------    ------          -------                -------
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow
information:
  Cash paid for taxes...................   $   17    $   45    $   64          $    45                $    64
                                           ------    ------    ------          -------                -------
                                           ------    ------    ------          -------                -------
  Cash paid for interest................   $   30    $   31    $   41          $    34                $    15
                                           ------    ------    ------          -------                -------
                                           ------    ------    ------          -------                -------
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to combined financial statements are an integral part of
                               these statements.
                                      F-20

<PAGE>

            GIRGENTI, HUGHES, BUTLER & MCDOWELL, INC. AND AFFILIATES
                     NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
1. BUSINESS
 
     Girgenti, Hughes, Butler & McDowell, Inc. and Affiliates (the 'Company') is
a combined group of six affiliated companies: Girgenti, Hughes, Butler &
McDowell, Inc. ('GHB&M'); Black Cat Graphics, Inc. ('Black Cat'); Medical
Educational Technologies, Inc. ('MET'); Brand Research Corporation ('Brand');
GHBM, Inc. and Syberactive Inc. ('Syberactive'). Each of these companies is
controlled and managed by a stockholder group consisting of four individuals and
each is owned in the same proportion by such stockholders.
 
     The Company operates in the marketing communications industry segment and
provides a broad range of integrated services including advertising and
promotion, publishing, medical education, public relations, consulting,
interactive multimedia, database marketing and marketing research services.
 
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Principles of Combination
 
     The combined financial statements include the accounts of the affiliated
companies. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     Revenues and fees are derived from clients for creative concept
development, production of advertising and marketing materials and the
communication of a client's product message to target markets through the use of
educational projects. For services such as the production of advertising and
promotion materials and medical education programs, fees are recognized when the
production materials or programs are completed. With respect to services such as
consulting, publishing and public relations, the Company is either paid a
monthly retainer or bills on an actual time incurred basis, which, in each case,
the Company recognizes as income each month to match its monthly payroll and
operating costs.
 
     Accounts receivable include fees recognized, project costs, and media and
production costs incurred on behalf of clients, which are paid for by the
Company and rebilled to clients.
 
  Concentration of Credit Risk
 
     The Company provides marketing and communications services to a wide range
of clients who operate primarily in the health care industry. For the year ended
December 31, 1996, the Company had three clients which constituted approximately
42%, 16% and 9% of total revenues. In addition, the Company's five largest
clients represent 78% of combined revenues for that period. The Company had
three clients which constituted approximately 36%, 17% and 13% of total 1995
revenues and 24%, 18% and 9% of total 1994 revenues. As of December 31, 1995 and

1996, primarily all of the Company's trade accounts receivable were concentrated
in companies in the health care industry. The Company extends credit to all
qualified clients, but does not believe that it is exposed to any undue
concentration of credit risk to any significant degree. The Company maintains
reserves for potential credit losses, but has not experienced any material
losses to individual clients or groups of clients.
 
  Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
     For purposes of the combined balance sheets and combined statements of cash
flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with
original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents, including
commercial paper and money market mutual funds.
 
                                      F-21

<PAGE>

            GIRGENTI, HUGHES, BUTLER & MCDOWELL, INC. AND AFFILIATES
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED) 
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES--(CONTINUED)
  Unbilled Production Charges
 
     Unbilled production charges consist principally of costs incurred in
producing advertisements and marketing communications for clients. Such amounts
are generally billed to clients when costs are incurred for radio and television
production and when print production is complete.
 
  Furniture, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements
 
     Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost, net of
accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are
computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the
assets as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                          <C>
Furniture.................................   5-7 years
Equipment.................................   5-7 years
Leasehold improvements....................   Lesser of lease term or useful life
</TABLE>
 
  Advance Production Billing
 
     Advance production billings consist of progress billings for production
jobs that are not completed, as well as accrued media placements that have been
billed to clients.
 
  Income Taxes
 
     The companies comprising the Company (other than Syberactive, which is
treated as a 'C Corporation'), with the consent of the stockholders, elected to

have their Federal and state income taxed as subchapter 'S Corporations.' In
lieu of Federal and certain state corporate income taxes, the shareholders are
taxed on their proportionate share of income, or receive the benefit of any
losses individually. New York City Corporation taxes are provided, if required,
at statutory rates.
 
  Use of Estimates
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
  New Accounting Pronouncements
 
     During 1996, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 121 (SFAS No. 121), 'Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived
Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of.' This statement requires the
Company to review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be
recoverable. The effect of adoption was not material.
 
  Recently Issued Accounting Standards
 
     In March 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ('SFAS') No. 128, Earnings Per Share. This
Statement establishes standards for computing and presenting earnings per share
('EPS'), replacing the presentation of currently required primary EPS with a
presentation of Basic EPS. For entities with complex capital structures, the
statement requires the dual presentation of both Basic EPS and Diluted EPS on
the face of the statement of income. Under this new standard, Basic EPS is
computed based on weighted average shares outstanding and excludes any potential
dilution; Diluted EPS reflects potential dilution from the exercise or
conversion of securities into common stock or from

                                       F-22
<PAGE>

            GIRGENTI, HUGHES, BUTLER & MCDOWELL, INC. AND AFFILIATES
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED) 
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES--(CONTINUED)
other contracts to issue common stock and is similar to the currently required
fully diluted EPS. SFAS 128 is effective for financial statements issued for
periods ending after December 15, 1997, including interim periods, and earlier
application is not permitted.
 
3. FURNITURE, EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS
 
     Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                        DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                            1995            1996            1997
                                                                        ------------    ------------    -------------
                                                                                                        (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                     <C>             <C>             <C>
     Furniture and equipment.........................................      $1,607          $2,117          $ 2,315
     Leasehold improvements..........................................         465             465              628
                                                                        ------------    ------------    -------------
                                                                            2,072           2,582            2,943
     Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization.................         936           1,340            1,571
                                                                        ------------    ------------    -------------
                                                                           $1,136          $1,242          $ 1,372
                                                                        ------------    ------------    -------------
                                                                        ------------    ------------    -------------
</TABLE>
 
     Depreciation and amortization expense of furniture, equipment and leasehold
improvements for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 amounted to
approximately $214, $274 and $402, respectively, and for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 and 1997 amounted to approximately $268 and $320,
respectively (unaudited).
 
4. RESTRICTED CASH
 
     In connection with the lease for office space, the Company was required to
establish an Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit with a face amount of $300.
The Company has set aside a Certificate of Deposit in the amount of $300 as
collateral for the Letter of Credit. The Certificate of Deposit has been
included within Other Assets due to the term of the underlying lease commitment.
 
5. BANK LOANS AND LINE OF CREDIT
 
     The Company has in place a $4,100 credit facility with a bank. The facility
currently consists of: (i) an uncommitted $3,500 line of credit ('Line of
Credit'), (ii) a $300 term note ('Term Note'), and (iii) a $300 irrevocable
letter of credit. The facility is secured by a first security interest in the
Company's personal property and a personal guarantee of several of the
stockholders of the Company. Borrowings under the facility are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,    SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                             1995           1996            1997
                                                                         ------------   ------------    -------------
                                                                                                        (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                      <C>            <C>             <C>
     Line of Credit....................................................      $600(a)        $400(a)         $  --
     Term Note/Loan....................................................        82(b)         223(c)           151
                                                                           ------         ------           ------
                                                                              682            623              151
 
     Less: Current portion.............................................       682            498              100
                                                                           ------         ------           ------
                                                                             $ --           $125            $  51

                                                                           ------         ------           ------
                                                                           ------         ------           ------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
 
a) Borrowings under the Line of Credit are limited to 80% of eligible trade
   receivables, as defined in the agreement. The Line of Credit, which matured
   on July 31, 1997, was renewed in October 1997, bears interest at prime (8.25%
   as of December 31, 1996) plus 1% per annum, and matures on June 30, 1998. The
   Line of Credit requires the Company to maintain certain financial ratios. As
   of December 31, 1996, the Company was in compliance with all of the
   provisions of the Line of Credit.

 
                                      F-23


<PAGE>


            GIRGENTI, HUGHES, BUTLER & MCDOWELL, INC. AND AFFILIATES
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED) 
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
5. BANK LOANS AND LINE OF CREDIT--(CONTINUED)
b) This represented the outstanding principal balance of borrowings under a $400
   term note to finance certain leasehold improvements. The note bore interest
   at 7.5% per annum and was payable in 48 monthly installments commencing
   October 1992. As of December 31, 1996, such note had been repaid.
 
c) During February 1996, the bank provided a Term Loan of $300 to finance the
   construction of additional office space. This Term Loan bears interest at
   7.75% per annum and is payable in 36 monthly installments commencing March
   1996.
 
     At December 31, 1996, maturities of debt are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                  <C>
1997..............................................................   $498
1998..............................................................    106
1999..............................................................     19
</TABLE>
 
6. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
     The financial statements are presented on a combined basis. Since there is
no parent-subsidiary relationship, there is no basis for eliminating the equity
accounts of any of the entities. As of December 31, 1995 and 1996, and as of
September 30, 1997 (unaudited), stockholders' equity consisted of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                        RETAINED EARNINGS/
                                                      COMMON STOCK                     (ACCUMULATED DEFICIT)
                                              -----------------------------    -------------------------------------
                                    SHARES                    SEPTEMBER 30,                            SEPTEMBER 30,
COMPANY                             ISSUED    1995    1996        1997          1995          1996         1997
- ---------------------------------   ------    ----    ----    -------------    ------        ------    -------------
                                                               (UNAUDITED)                              (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                 <C>       <C>     <C>     <C>              <C>           <C>       <C>
GHBM.............................    85.25    $192    $192        $ 192        $1,517        $1,540       $ 3,057
Black Cat........................   120.90      89      89           89         2,434         2,655         2,970
MET..............................   120.90       6       6            6           477           847           826
Brand............................   120.90       1       1            1            88            43            50
GHBM, Inc........................   120.90       1       1            1            --            (1)           (1)
Syberactive......................   100.00      --       1            1            --            (6)         (146)
                                              ----    ----       ------        ------        ------    -------------
                                              $289    $290        $ 290        $4,516        $5,078       $ 6,756
                                              ----    ----       ------        ------        ------    -------------
                                              ----    ----       ------        ------        ------    -------------
</TABLE>
 
7. COMMITMENTS
 
  Lease
 
     In 1994, the Company entered into a fifteen year lease for office space in
New York City. The lease is payable in monthly installments which include
certain rent holidays and escalations, which have been accounted for on a
straight-line basis over the life of the lease. As a security deposit, the
Company put in place an Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit (see Note 4) in the
amount of $300. This amount will decrease on November 1, 1997 to $200 and to
$132 on November 1, 1998. During 1996, the Company terminated a lease agreement
on another property. The cost to terminate the lease was insignificant.
 
     The following is a schedule of the minimum annual lease payments due:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                           <C>
1997.......................................................................   $  608
1998.......................................................................      690
1999.......................................................................      750
2000.......................................................................      750
2001.......................................................................      750
Thereafter.................................................................    7,337
</TABLE>
 
     Total rent expense incurred for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and
1996 was approximately $662, $759 and $814, respectively, and for the nine
months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997 was approximately $542 and $555,
respectively (unaudited).
 
                                      F-24

<PAGE>

            GIRGENTI, HUGHES, BUTLER & MCDOWELL, INC. AND AFFILIATES
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED) 
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
7. COMMITMENTS--(CONTINUED)
  Employment Agreements
 
     The Company has entered into employment agreements (the 'Agreements') with
certain key employees. The Agreements contain provisions for base salary and
incentives based upon certain performance measures, and are subject to
termination by either party. The aggregate annual minimum base compensation
required by the Agreements is approximately $880.
 
  Employee Benefits
 
     The Company maintains a '401 K' Plan for eligible employees, who have
completed the minimum service requirement of the plan. The Company matches up to
4% of salary for participating employees. For the years ended December 31, 1994,
1995 and 1996, the Company has contributed $64, $105 and $124, respectively, and
for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, the Company has
contributed $79 and $137, respectively (unaudited), to the Plan.
 
8. INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
     The combined financial statements of Girgenti, Hughes, Butler & McDowell,
Inc. as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, presented
herein have been prepared by the Company without audit, pursuant to the rules
and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The financial
statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring
adjustments) which, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present
fairly the combined financial position, results of operations and cash flows of
the Company as of September 30, 1996 and 1997, and for the periods ended. The
Company's interim results may fluctuate as a result of a number of factors and
are not necessarily indicative of the results to be obtained for the full year.
 
9. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
   
     Pursuant to the Agreements and Plans of Organization (the 'Consolidation
Agreements'), dated as of October 23, 1997, the stockholders of the Company and
Milton Marketing Group Limited and its subsidiaries ('Milton'), including the
minority interest stockholders in such subsidiaries, exchanged all of the
outstanding shares of common stock of each of the companies comprising the
Company and Milton for shares of common stock of Healthworld Corporation
('Healthworld') on November 12, 1997 (the 'Consolidation'). As a result of the
Consolidation, the entities comprising the Company (other than Syberactive,
which is already treated as a C Corporation) are no longer treated as S
Corporations. The pro forma effect of a subchapter 'C' Corporation income tax
provision has been included in the calculation of pro forma net income in the
accompanying combined statements of income.
    
 

   
     In connection with the termination of the status of each of the companies
comprising the Company as S Corporations, the Company sold approximately $2,600
of its accounts receivable immediately prior to the consummation of the
Consolidation to an unaffiliated financial institution at a negotiated discount
rate. Immediately prior to the consummation of the Consolidation, the Company
also made distributions to its stockholders of $3,700 in the aggregate from
existing cash balances for the payment by such stockholders of taxes due on
GHB&M's S Corporation earnings.
    
 
     Healthworld is pursuing an initial public offering of its securities (the
'Offering'). The Offering contemplates the sale of 2,100 shares of Healthworld's
common stock at an offering price between $8.00 and $9.50 per share before
underwriting commissions and Offering expenses.
 
                                      F-25

<PAGE>
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To Milton Marketing Group Limited and Subsidiaries:
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Milton Marketing
Group Limited (a United Kingdom corporation, formerly known as Siteinput
Limited) and Subsidiaries as of November 30, 1995 and 1996, and the related
consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each
of the three years in the period ended November 30, 1996. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Milton Marketing Group Limited
and Subsidiaries as of November 30, 1995 and 1996, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
November 30, 1996 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
   
                                                 /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
                                           ------------------------------------
                                                   Arthur Andersen LLP
    
 
   
Melville, New York
January 27, 1997
     (except with respect to the matters
     discussed in Note 11 as to which
     the date is November 12, 1997)
    
 
                                      F-26

<PAGE>
                         MILTON MARKETING GROUP LIMITED
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      NOVEMBER 30,
                                                                                    ----------------    AUGUST 31,
                                                                                     1995      1996        1997
                                                                                    ------    ------    -----------
                                                                                                        (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                                 <C>       <C>       <C>
                                     ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents......................................................   $  511    $   --      $    --
  Accounts receivable............................................................    1,058     3,266        4,591
  Unbilled production charges, at cost...........................................       49        87          196
  Other current assets...........................................................      147       415          518
                                                                                    ------    ------    -----------
     Total current assets........................................................    1,765     3,768        5,305
Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net.............................      634       870          926
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of $2, $44 and $91, respectively.......      994     1,800        1,696
Other assets.....................................................................        8        49          231
                                                                                    ------    ------    -----------
                                                                                    $3,401    $6,487      $ 8,158
                                                                                    ------    ------    -----------
                                                                                    ------    ------    -----------
 
                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Bank loans and overdrafts......................................................   $   24    $  406      $ 1,154
  Current portion of long-term debt..............................................      107       118          581
  Current portion of capitalized lease obligation................................       74       125          123
  Accounts payable...............................................................      340     1,144        1,518
  Accrued expenses...............................................................      936     1,977        2,126
  Advance billings...............................................................      441       534          912
                                                                                    ------    ------    -----------
     Total current liabilities...................................................    1,922     4,304        6,414
Commitments (Note 9)
Long-term debt...................................................................      882       825          285
Capitalized lease obligation.....................................................       78       128          135
Minority interests...............................................................       89       143          284
Other liabilities................................................................       --        83           55
                                                                                    ------    ------    -----------
                                                                                     2,971     5,483        7,173
                                                                                    ------    ------    -----------
Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock, $1.68 par value, 10,000 shares authorized, and 2 shares issued
     and outstanding.............................................................       --        --           --
  Additional paid-in capital.....................................................       13        13           13
  Retained earnings..............................................................      423       925          971
  Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments............................       (6)       66            1
                                                                                    ------    ------    -----------

     Total stockholders' equity..................................................      430     1,004          985
                                                                                    ------    ------    -----------
                                                                                    $3,401    $6,487      $ 8,158
                                                                                    ------    ------    -----------
                                                                                    ------    ------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part
                            of these balance sheets.
                                      F-27

<PAGE>
                         MILTON MARKETING GROUP LIMITED
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 NINE MONTHS
                                                                 YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30,      ENDED AUGUST 31,
                                                                 ------------------------     -----------------
                                                                  1994     1995     1996       1996      1997
                                                                 ------   ------   ------     ------    -------
                                                                                                 (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                              <C>      <C>      <C>        <C>       <C>
Revenues.......................................................  $2,666   $4,399   $9,895     $7,194    $10,624
                                                                 ------   ------   ------     ------    -------
Operating expenses:
  Salaries and related costs...................................   1,474    2,531    6,793      5,220      8,251
  Other operating expenses.....................................     802    1,310    2,017      1,311      1,794
                                                                 ------   ------   ------     ------    -------
                                                                  2,276    3,841    8,810      6,531     10,045
Income from operations.........................................     390      558    1,085        663        579
Interest expense, net..........................................      12       15       93         66         86
                                                                 ------   ------   ------     ------    -------
Income before provision for income taxes and minority
  interests....................................................     378      543      992        597        493
Provision for income taxes.....................................     117      159      366        221        182
Minority interests in net earnings of subsidiaries.............      39       68      124        100        160
                                                                 ------   ------   ------     ------    -------
Net income.....................................................  $  222   $  316   $  502     $  276    $   151
                                                                 ------   ------   ------     ------    -------
                                                                 ------   ------   ------     ------    -------
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part
                              of these statements.
                                      F-28

<PAGE>
                         MILTON MARKETING GROUP LIMITED
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              CUMULATIVE
                                                                 ADDITIONAL                FOREIGN CURRENCY
                                                       COMMON     PAID-IN      RETAINED      TRANSLATION
                                                       STOCK      CAPITAL      EARNINGS      ADJUSTMENTS       TOTAL
                                                       ------    ----------    --------    ----------------    ------
<S>                                                    <C>       <C>           <C>         <C>                 <C>
Balance, November 30, 1993..........................   $ --         $ 13         $101            $ (1)         $  113
  Net income........................................     --           --          222              --             222
  Dividends.........................................     --           --         (130)             --            (130)
  Foreign currency translation adjustments..........     --           --           --               8               8
                                                       ------        ---       --------         -----          ------
Balance, November 30, 1994..........................     --           13          193               7             213
  Net income........................................     --           --          316              --             316
  Dividends.........................................     --           --          (86)             --             (86)
  Foreign currency translation adjustments..........     --           --           --             (13)            (13)
                                                       ------        ---       --------         -----          ------
Balance, November 30, 1995..........................     --           13          423              (6)            430
  Net income........................................     --           --          502              --             502
  Foreign currency translation adjustments..........     --           --           --              72              72
                                                       ------        ---       --------         -----          ------
Balance, November 30, 1996..........................     --           13          925              66           1,004
  Net income (unaudited)............................     --           --          151              --             151
  Dividends (unaudited).............................     --           --         (105)             --            (105)
  Foreign currency translation adjustments
     (unaudited)....................................     --           --           --             (65)            (65)
                                                       ------        ---       --------         -----          ------
Balance, August 31, 1997 (unaudited)................   $ --         $ 13         $971            $  1          $  985
                                                       ------        ---       --------         -----          ------
                                                       ------        ---       --------         -----          ------
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part
                              of these statements.
                                      F-29

<PAGE>
                         MILTON MARKETING GROUP LIMITED
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               YEAR ENDED           NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                              NOVEMBER 30,              AUGUST 31,
                                                                        -----------------------     -----------------
                                                                        1994    1995     1996        1996      1997
                                                                        -----   -----   -------     -------   -------
                                                                                                       (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                     <C>     <C>     <C>         <C>       <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income..........................................................  $ 222   $ 316   $   502     $   276   $   151
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
    provided by operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization...................................    114     136       225         143       205
      Minority interest in net earnings...............................     39      68       124         100       160
      (Gain)/loss on sale of fixed assets.............................    (24)      1        18           5       (19)
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of
    acquisitions:
      Accounts receivable.............................................    418    (138)   (1,456)     (2,393)   (1,325)
      Unbilled production charges.....................................    538      28       (21)       (160)     (109)
      Other current assets............................................     --     (22)     (166)         10      (103)
      Other assets....................................................     --      --        --          --      (182)
      Accounts payable................................................   (536)   (614)     (359)        898       374
      Accrued expenses................................................      7     763       876         341       149
      Advance billings................................................   (502)     74        50         188       378
      Other liabilities...............................................     --      --        18          61       (28)
                                                                        -----   -----   -------     -------   -------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities...................    276     612      (189)       (531)     (349)
                                                                        -----   -----   -------     -------   -------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Net purchase price of acquisitions (Note 3).........................     --    (639)     (242)       (234)       --
  Capital expenditures, net...........................................    (95)   (203)     (214)        (66)     (128)
  Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets..............................     58      63        50          23        75
                                                                        -----   -----   -------     -------   -------
Net cash (used in) investing activities...............................    (37)   (779)     (406)       (277)      (53)
                                                                        -----   -----   -------     -------   -------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Payment of majority stockholder dividends...........................   (130)    (86)       --          --      (105)
  Payment of minority interest shareholders dividends.................    (23)    (15)       --          --       (55)
  Proceeds from bank overdraft........................................     --      --       309         382       748
  Repayment of bank loans.............................................     --      --      (131)        (30)      (77)
  Proceeds from bank loans............................................     --     613        --          --        --
  Capital lease repayments............................................    (88)   (152)      (77)        (41)     (109)
                                                                        -----   -----   -------     -------   -------
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities...................   (241)    360       101         311       402
                                                                        -----   -----   -------     -------   -------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash...............................     12     (14)      (17)        (14)       --
                                                                        -----   -----   -------     -------   -------
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents..................     10     179      (511)       (511)       --

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year........................    322     332       511         511        --
                                                                        -----   -----   -------     -------   -------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year..............................  $ 332   $ 511   $    --     $    --   $    --
                                                                        -----   -----   -------     -------   -------
                                                                        -----   -----   -------     -------   -------
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
  Cash paid for taxes.................................................  $ 113   $ 151   $    67     $    58   $   301
                                                                        -----   -----   -------     -------   -------
                                                                        -----   -----   -------     -------   -------
  Cash paid for interest..............................................  $  21   $  22   $    88     $    66   $    86
                                                                        -----   -----   -------     -------   -------
                                                                        -----   -----   -------     -------   -------
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part
                              of these statements.
                                      F-30

<PAGE>
                         MILTON MARKETING GROUP LIMITED
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
1. ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS
 
   
     In 1997, the company formerly known as Siteinput Limited changed its name
to Milton Marketing Group Limited. Milton Marketing Group Limited ('Milton'), a
United Kingdom corporation, was formed in October 1995. Through its predecessor,
Milton Marketing Limited, Milton, together with its subsidiaries (Milton and its
subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the 'Company'), operates in the
marketing communications industry segment and provides integrated services
including contract sales, advertising and promotion and public relations
services to its clients. Milton is comprised of its wholly-owned subsidiary
Milton Headcount Limited (formerly Effective Sales Personnel Limited) ('MHL')
and its majority-owned subsidiaries, Milton Marketing Limited ('MML'), Effective
Sales Personnel (formerly Milton Headcount Limited) ('ESP'), PDM Communications
Limited ('PDM') and Milton Cater Limited ('MCL').
    
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Principles of Consolidation
 
     The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
the Company and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. All
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
 
  Foreign Currency Translation
 
     All assets and liabilities of the Company are translated into United States
dollars from United Kingdom Pound Sterling at period-end exchange rates. Income
and expense items are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during
each fiscal period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a
separate component of stockholders' equity.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     Revenues and fees are derived from clients for creative concept
development, production of advertising and marketing materials, the supply of
long and short-term personnel for client promotional purposes and the provision
of public relations services to public health service institutions. For services
such as the production of advertising and promotion materials, fees are
recognized when the production materials are completed. With respect to services
such as public relations, the Company is either paid a monthly retainer or bills
on an actual time incurred basis, which, in each case, the Company recognizes as
income each month to match its monthly payroll and operating costs.
Additionally, revenues associated with contract sales services are recognized as
such services are provided and payroll expenses are incurred.
 
     Accounts receivable include fees recognized, project costs, and media and
production costs incurred on behalf of clients, which are paid for by the

Company and billed to clients. The Company records gross contract revenues for
contract sales services and the related direct costs are included in salaries
and related costs on the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
 
  Concentration of Credit Risk
 
     The Company provides services to a range of clients operating mostly in the
healthcare, food and beverage and communication industries. For the year ended
November 30, 1996, the Company had three clients which constituted approximately
13%, 13% and 8% of total revenues. In addition, the Company's five largest
clients represented 49% of total revenues for that period. The Company had three
clients which constituted approximately 16%, 13% and 10% and 27%, 18% and 11% of
total 1995 and 1994 revenues, respectively. The Company extends credit to all
qualified clients, but does not believe that it is exposed to any undue
concentration of credit risk to any significant degree. The Company maintains
reserves for potential credit losses, but has not experienced any material
losses to individual clients or groups of clients.
 
                                      F-31
<PAGE>
                         MILTON MARKETING GROUP LIMITED
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES--(CONTINUED)
  Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
     For purposes of the consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements
of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments
purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash
equivalents, including commercial paper and money market mutual funds.
 
  Unbilled Production Charges
 
     Unbilled production charges consists principally of costs incurred in
producing marketing communications for clients and field marketing personnel to
be billed. Such amounts will be billed to clients at either a defined stage of
the project or when production is complete.
 
  Furniture, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements
 
     Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost, net of
accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are
computed using both accelerated and straight-line methods over the following
periods:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                          <C>
Furniture.................................   4-10 years
Equipment.................................   4-14 years
Motor Vehicles............................   4-8 Years
Leasehold Improvements....................   Lesser of lease term or useful life
</TABLE>

 
  Equipment Held under Capital Leases
 
     Assets held under capital leases is accounted for in accordance with
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 13, 'Accounting for Leases,' and
recorded in Property, Plant and Equipment. The present value of the related
liability is included in capitalized lease obligations.
 
  Goodwill
 
     Goodwill represents the Company's excess cost over net assets acquired and
is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of
the assets. Amounts recognized to date have been amortized over 30 years from
the original date of acquisition. Amortization expense of goodwill for the years
ended November 30, 1994, 1995 and 1996 amounted to $0, $2 and $42, respectively,
and for the nine months ended August 31, 1996 and 1997 amounted to $32 and $47,
respectively (unaudited).
 
     During 1996, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 121 (SFAS No. 121), 'Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived
Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of.' This statement requires the
Company to review long-lived assets, including certain intangibles and goodwill,
for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The effect of adoption was
not material.
 
  Income Taxes
 
     The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, 'Accounting for Income Taxes.' This
statement requires a liability approach for measuring deferred taxes based on
temporary differences between the financial statement and income tax bases of
assets and liabilities existing at each balance sheet date using enacted rates
for the years in which the taxes are expected to be paid or recovered. The
Company has not recorded any deferred tax assets or liabilities as any
differences between book and income tax recognition are immaterial.
 
                                      F-32
<PAGE>
                         MILTON MARKETING GROUP LIMITED
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES--(CONTINUED)
  Use of Estimates
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affects the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
  Recently Issued Accounting Standards
 

     In March 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ('SFAS') No. 128, Earnings Per Share. This
statement establishes standards for computing and presenting earnings per share
('EPS'), replacing the presentation of currently required primary EPS with a
presentation of Basic EPS. For entities with complex capital structures, the
statement requires the dual presentation of both Basic EPS and Diluted DPS on
the face of the statement of income. Under this new standard, Basic EPS is
computed based on weighted average shares outstanding and excludes any potential
dilution; Diluted EPS reflects potential dilution from the exercise or
conversion of securities into common stock or from other contracts to issue
common stock and is similar to the currently required fully diluted EPS. SFAS
128 is effective for financial statements issued for periods ending after
December 15, 1997, including interim periods, and earlier application is not
permitted.
 
3. ACQUISITIONS OF BUSINESSES
 
  Milton Headcount Limited (formerly Effective Sales Personnel Limited)
 
     In November 1995, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of MHL
for a purchase price of $1,130. The purchase price was funded by cash and a $462
note due March 1998.
 
  Milton Cater Limited
 
     MCL was formed in April 1996, and the Company acquired 51% of its equity in
May 1996. The remaining 49% of MCL's equity is owned by a key employee and must
be purchased by the Company on the earliest of May 23, 2001, the sale or
disposal of MCL or the Company, or the Company being the subject of an initial
public offering. The purchase price is set at 60% of defined average annual
Gross Profits of MCL, as defined in the agreement, in excess of $588 for the
three years prior to purchase, subject to a maximum purchase price of $504. At
November 30, 1996 the purchase price would be immaterial.
 
  Milton Marketing Limited
 
     In April 1996, the Company acquired an additional 7.5% interest in MML for
$234, which increased the Company's interest in MML to 92.5%.
 
  PDM Communications Limited
 
     In November 1996, the Company acquired a 75% interest in PDM for a cash
purchase price of $32.
 
     The minority stockholder has a put option and the Company has a call option
with respect to the remaining 25% of PDM shares not owned by the Company. The
stockholder put option would require payment of 18.5% of Gross Income of PDM, as
defined in the agreement, for the period from November 26, 1996 to date of
exercise. The Company's call option would require payment on 25% of Gross Income
to date of exercise. The stockholder put option is exercisable at any time up to
November 30, 1998, provided that PDM has generated positive Gross Income, after
personnel costs during the period. The Company's call option is exercisable if a
certain key employee leaves PDM, or if PDM or the Company is sold or the subject
of an initial public offering.

 
     The three acquisitions discussed above were all accounted for using the
purchase method of accounting. Accordingly, a portion of the purchase price was
allocated to the net assets acquired based on their estimated fair
 
                                      F-33
<PAGE>
                         MILTON MARKETING GROUP LIMITED
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
3. ACQUISITIONS OF BUSINESSES--(CONTINUED)
values. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets
acquired was recorded as goodwill. Goodwill was recorded as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                ESP      MML       PDM
                                                                               ------    ----    -------
<S>                                                                            <C>       <C>     <C>
Assets......................................................................   $  346    $--     $   717
Minority share of net assets acquired.......................................       --     46          --
Goodwill....................................................................    1,027    188         523
Liabilities.................................................................     (243)    --      (1,208)
                                                                               ------    ----    -------
  Total purchase price......................................................   $1,130    $234    $    32
                                                                               ------    ----    -------
                                                                               ------    ----    -------
</TABLE>
 
  Pro Forma Results of Operations
 
     Summarized below are the unaudited pro forma results of operations of the
Company as though the ESP acquisition had occurred at the beginning of 1994 and
the MML and PDM acquisitions had occurred at the beginning of 1995. Adjustments
have been made for pro forma income taxes and amortization of goodwill related
to these transactions.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30,
                                                                             ---------------------------
Pro Forma:                                                                    1994      1995      1996
                                                                             ------    ------    -------
<S>                                                                          <C>       <C>       <C>
  Revenues................................................................   $5,609    $6,634    $10,282
  Net income..............................................................      357       392        135
</TABLE>
 
     These pro forma results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the
actual results of operations that would have occurred had the acquisitions been
made at the beginning of 1994 or 1995 or of results which may occur in the
future.

 
4. FURNITURE, EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS
 
     Motor vehicles, furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements consist of
the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              NOVEMBER 30,    NOVEMBER 30,    AUGUST 31,
                                                                  1995            1996           1997
                                                              ------------    ------------    -----------
                                                                                              (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                           <C>             <C>             <C>
Motor vehicles.............................................      $  204          $  265       $       229
Furniture and equipment....................................         670             996             1,052
  Leasehold improvements...................................         126             163               202
Equipment held under capital leases........................         284             395               429
                                                              ------------    ------------    -----------
                                                                  1,284           1,819             1,912
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization............         650             949               986
                                                              ------------    ------------    -----------
                                                                 $  634          $  870       $       926
                                                              ------------    ------------    -----------
                                                              ------------    ------------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
     Depreciation and amortization expense of furniture, equipment and leasehold
improvements for the years ended November 30, 1994, 1995 and 1996 amounted to
approximately $114, $134 and $183, respectively, and for the nine months ended
August 31, 1996 and 1997 amounted to $111 and $158, respectively (unaudited).
 
                                      F-34
<PAGE>
                         MILTON MARKETING GROUP LIMITED
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
5. ACCRUED EXPENSES
 
     Major components of accrued expenses included:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                NOVEMBER 30,    NOVEMBER 30,    AUGUST 31,
                                                                    1995            1996           1997
                                                                ------------    ------------    -----------
                                                                                                (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                             <C>             <C>             <C>
Value added and payroll taxes................................      $  445          $1,155         $   898
Payroll......................................................          --             356             369
Directors fees...............................................         130              --              --
Other........................................................         361             466             859
                                                                ------------    ------------    -----------

                                                                   $  936          $1,977         $ 2,126
                                                                ------------    ------------    -----------
                                                                ------------    ------------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
6. BANK LOANS AND OVERDRAFT
 
     The Company has the following loans outstanding:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                NOVEMBER 30,    NOVEMBER 30,    AUGUST 31,
                                                                    1995            1996           1997
                                                                ------------    ------------    -----------
                                                                                                (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                             <C>             <C>             <C>
Term loan(a).................................................      $  535          $  470         $   400
Business development loan(b).................................          57              38              10
Overdraft facility(c)........................................          --             379           1,154
4% loan notes(d).............................................         421             462             456
                                                                ------------    ------------    -----------
                                                                    1,013           1,349           2,020
Less: Current portion........................................         131             524           1,735
                                                                ------------    ------------    -----------
                                                                   $  882          $  825         $   285
                                                                ------------    ------------    -----------
                                                                ------------    ------------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
a) During November 1995, a bank provided a term loan of $588 to the Company
   which bears interest at the UK base rate (6% as of November 30, 1996) plus 2%
   per annum and is payable in installments of $58 every May and November with
   the final installment due in November 2000. The term loan requires the
   Company to maintain certain financial covenants. As of November 30, 1996, the
   Company was in compliance with all of the provisions of the term loan.
 
b) This loan bears interest at 10.5% per annum and matures in April 1998.
 
c) The Company has in place a $672 overdraft facility with a bank which bears
   interest at the UK base rate plus 2% per annum. As of November 30, 1996, the
   outstanding balance was approximately $379. At June 30, 1997, the bank has
   allowed the Company to exceed the overdraft facility limit. The Company
   renegotiated the overdraft facility and increased the borrowing limit to
   $1,223 until October 31, 1997, after which it reduces to $815. The facility
   is due to be renewed on November 30, 1997 (unaudited).
 
d) In connection with the MHL acquisition the Company has issued a $462, 4%
   unsecured note, which is payable in March 1998.
 
     At November 30, 1996, maturities of debt are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                            <C>

1997........................................................................   $524
1998........................................................................    593
1999........................................................................    116
2000........................................................................    116
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-35
<PAGE>
                         MILTON MARKETING GROUP LIMITED
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
7. CAPITALIZED LEASE OBLIGATION
 
     The Company enters into leases for computer equipment and motor vehicles.
The lease payments are payable monthly on a straight-line basis. The assets
relating to the leases are capitalized and amortized over a period approximating
the lease period.
 
     Minimum future lease payments under capital leases as of November 30 are as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                      <C>
1997..................................................................................   $141
1998..................................................................................    101
1999..................................................................................     44
                                                                                         ----
Total minimum lease payments..........................................................    286
Less: Amount representing interest....................................................     33
                                                                                         ----
Present value of minimum lease payments...............................................   $253
                                                                                         ----
                                                                                         ----
</TABLE>
 
     Interest rates on capitalized leases vary from 11% to 15% and are imputed
based on the lessor's implicit rate of return.
 
8. INCOME TAXES
 
     The following table reconciles the U.K. Federal statutory rate to the
Company's effective income tax rate for the years ended November 30, 1994, 1995
and 1996:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          NOVEMBER 30,
                                                                                      --------------------
                                                                                      1994    1995    1996
                                                                                      ----    ----    ----
<S>                                                                                   <C>     <C>     <C>
Statutory rate.....................................................................    33%     33%     33%

Nondeductible goodwill.............................................................    --      --       4%
Small and marginal company rate relief.............................................    (2%)    (4%)    --
                                                                                      ----    ----    ----
Effective rate.....................................................................    31%     29%     37%
                                                                                      ----    ----    ----
                                                                                      ----    ----    ----
</TABLE>
 
     The Company has not recorded any deferred tax assets or liabilities as any
differences between book and income tax recognition are immaterial.
 
9. COMMITMENTS
 
     The Company has entered into various leases for property. All leases are
payable in quarterly installments, and are accounted for on a straight line
basis over the term of the lease.
 
     The following is a schedule of the minimum annual lease payments due:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                           <C>
1997.......................................................................   $  393
1998.......................................................................      393
1999.......................................................................      393
2000.......................................................................      393
2001.......................................................................      393
Thereafter.................................................................    2,048
</TABLE>
 
     Total rent expense incurred for the years ended November 30, 1994, 1995 and
1996 was approximately $116, $107 and $229, respectively, and for the nine
months ended August 31, 1996 and 1997 was approximately $156 and $283,
respectively (unaudited).
 
  Employment Agreements
 
     The Company has entered into employment agreements (the 'Agreements') with
certain key employees. The Agreements contain provisions for base salary and
incentives based upon certain performance measures, and are subject to
termination by either party. The aggregate annual minimum base compensation
required by the Agreements is approximately $312.
 
                                      F-36
<PAGE>
                         MILTON MARKETING GROUP LIMITED
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
9. COMMITMENTS--(CONTINUED)
  Employee Benefits
 
     The Company makes non-contractual payments into the personal pension plans
of various directors and senior management. For the years ended November 30,

1994, 1995, and 1996, the Company has contributed $56, $74, and $41,
respectively, and for the nine months ended August 31, 1996 and 1997, the
Company has contributed $43 and $49, respectively (unaudited).
 
10. INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements of Milton Marketing Group Limited as
of and for the seven months ended August 31, 1996 and 1997, presented herein
have been prepared by the Company without audit, pursuant to the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The financial statements
reflect all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) which,
in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly the combined
financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of
August 31, 1996 and 1997, and for the periods then ended. The Company's interim
results may fluctuate as a result of a number of factors and are not necessarily
indicative of the results to be obtained for the full year.
 
11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
   
     Pursuant to the Agreements and Plans of Organization (the 'Consolidation
Agreements'), dated as of October 23, 1997, the stockholders of the Company and
Girgenti, Hughes, Butler & McDowell, Inc. and its affiliated entities ('GHB&M')
exchanged all of the outstanding shares of common stock of each of the companies
comprising the Company and GHB&M for shares of common stock of Healthworld
Corporation ('Healthworld') on November 12, 1997 (the 'Consolidation').
Concurrent with the Consolidation, three of the stockholders holding minority
interests in certain of the Company's subsidiaries contributed their interests
in such respective companies to Healthworld in exchange for shares of common
stock of Healthworld, and the remaining shares of common stock in one of the
Company's subsidiaries held by a fourth stockholder were redeemed by the Company
for no consideration pursuant to a prior agreement between the Company and such
stockholder. These acquisitions have been accounted for using the purchase
method of accounting. The excess purchase price over the underlying equity of
the minority interests has been recorded as goodwill.
    
 
     Healthworld is pursuing an initial public offering of its securities (the
'Offering'). The Offering contemplates the sale of 2,100 shares of Healthworld's
common stock at an offering price between $8.00 and $9.50 per share before
underwriting commissions and Offering expenses.
 
                                      F-37

<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     NO UNDERWRITER, DEALER, SALESMAN OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO
GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS
OFFERING, OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE,
SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR THE UNDERWRITERS. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, ANY
SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY BY ANYONE IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO
MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY
SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE
DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  PAGE
                                                  ----
<S>                                               <C>
Prospectus Summary.............................     3
Risk Factors...................................     7
The Consolidation..............................    12
Use of Proceeds................................    13
Dividend Policy................................    13
Dilution.......................................    14
Capitalization.................................    15
Selected Pro Forma Combined Financial
  Information..................................    16
Selected Financial Information of GHB&M
  and Milton...................................    17
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
  Financial Condition and Results of
  Operations...................................    18
Business.......................................    28
Management.....................................    38
Certain Relationships and Related
  Transactions.................................    43
Principal Stockholders.........................    44
Description of Capital Stock...................    45
Shares Eligible for Future Sale................    47
Underwriting...................................    48
Legal Matters..................................    49
Experts........................................    49
Forward Looking Statements.....................    49
Additional Information.........................    50

Index to Financial Statements..................   F-1
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
     UNTIL              , 1997 (25 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS), ALL
DEALERS EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON STOCK, WHETHER OR NOT PARTICIPATING
IN THIS DISTRIBUTION, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS. THIS REQUIREMENT
IS IN ADDITION TO THE OBLIGATION OF DEALERS TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS WHEN ACTING
AS UNDERWRITERS AND WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD ALLOTMENTS OR SUBSCRIPTIONS.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                2,100,000 SHARES

                        [HEALTHWORLD CORPORATION LOGO]
 
                                  COMMON STOCK

                            ------------------------
                                   PROSPECTUS
                            ------------------------

                            C. E. UNTERBERG, TOWBIN

                             PENNSYLVANIA MERCHANT
                                   GROUP LTD
 
                                           , 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
     Set forth below is an estimate of the approximate amount of fees and
expenses (other than underwriting commissions and discounts) payable by the
Registrant in connection with the issuance and distribution of the Common Stock
pursuant to the Prospectus contained in this Registration Statement.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               APPROXIMATE
                                                                 AMOUNT
                                                               -----------
<S>                                                            <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee.........   $    6,952
NASD filing fee.............................................        2,794
Nasdaq National Market listing fee..........................       36,250
Accountants' fees and expenses..............................      634,000
Blue Sky fees and expenses..................................           --
Legal fees and expenses.....................................    1,058,000
Transfer Agent and Registrar fees and expenses..............        3,500
Printing and engraving expenses.............................      160,000
Miscellaneous...............................................       10,000
                                                               -----------
     Total..................................................   $1,911,496
                                                               -----------
                                                               -----------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
* To be completed by amendment.
 
ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
     The Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws provide that the
Registrant shall indemnify its directors to the full extent permitted by the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the 'DGCL') and may indemnify
its officers and employees to such extent, except that the Registrant shall not
be obligated to indemnify any such person (i) with respect to proceedings,
claims or actions initiated or brought voluntarily by any such person and not by
way of defense, or (ii) for any amounts paid in settlement of an action
indemnified against by the Registrant without the prior written consent of the
Registrant without the prior written consent of the Registrant. The Registrant
intends to enter into indemnity agreements with each of its directors. These
agreements may require the Registrant, among other things, to indemnify such
directors against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status
or service as directors, and to advance expenses to them as they are incurred,
provided that they undertake to repay the amount advanced if it is ultimately
determined by a court that they are not entitled to indemnification, and to
obtain directors' liability insurance if available on reasonable terms.
 

     In addition, the Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation provides that a
director of the Registrant shall not be personally liable to the Registrant or
its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of his or her fiduciary duty as
director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of
loyalty to the Registrant or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in
good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of
law, (iii) for willful or negligent conduct in paying dividends or repurchasing
stock out of other than lawfully available funds or (iv) for any transaction
from which the director derives an improper personal benefit.
 
     Reference is made to Section 145 of the DGCL which provides for
indemnification of directors and officers in certain circumstances.
 
ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
 
   
     On October 13, 1997, the Registrant issued an aggregate of 100 founders
shares of Common Stock to the stockholders of GHB&M for an aggregate of $100.
Such transaction was effected in reliance upon the exemption from registration
under the Securities Act contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. In
connection with the Consolidation, the Registrant issued an aggregate of
5,000,000 shares of Common Stock to the stockholders of GHB&M and Milton on
November 12, 1997 in exchange for all of their stock of GHB&M and Milton. Such
transaction was effected in reliance upon the exemption from registration under
the Securities Act contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. No
underwriters were engaged with respect to such transactions and no underwriting
discounts or commissions were paid in connection with the sale of such
securities.
    
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
     (a) Exhibits
 
     The following documents are filed as part of this Registration Statement:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
  NUMBER     DESCRIPTION
- ----------   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>          <C>   <C>
   *1.01      --   Form of Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and C.E. Unterberg, Towbin and Pennsylvania
                   Merchant Group Ltd, as representatives of several underwriters.
   *2.01      --   Letter of Intent between Girgenti, Hughes, Butler & McDowell, Inc. ('GH') and its affiliated
                   entities and Milton Marketing Group Limited and its subsidiaries, dated November 14, 1996, as
                   amended July 24, 1997.
   *2.02      --   Agreement and Plan of Organization by and among the Registrant, Steven Girgenti, Francis Hughes,
                   William Butler and Herbert Ehrenthal, dated as of October 23, 1997.
   *2.03      --   Agreement and Plan of Organization between the Registrant and William Leslie Milton, dated as of
                   October 23, 1997.

   *2.04      --   Agreement and Plan of Organization by and between the Registrant and Michael Garnham, dated as of
                   October 23, 1997.
   *2.05      --   Agreement and Plan of Organization between the Registrant and Leonard Moreton, dated as of October
                   23, 1997.
   *2.06      --   Agreement and Plan of Organization between the Registrant and Michael Bourne, dated as of October
                   23, 1997.
   *3.01      --   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant.
   *3.02      --   Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant.
   *4.01      --   Specimen Common Stock Certificate.
    5.01      --   Opinion of Rosenman & Colin LLP.
  *10.01      --   Term Loan Facility, dated November 6, 1995, by and between Siteinput Limited (n/k/a Milton
                   Marketing Group Limited) and Bank of Scotland, as amended by letter dated July 23, 1997.
  *10.02      --   Line of Credit between The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. ('Chase') and GH and each of its affiliated
                   entities, dated January 22, 1996.
  *10.03      --   Line of Credit between Chase and GH and each of its affiliated entities, dated January 17, 1997.
  *10.04      --   Promissory Note made by GH and its affiliated entities for the benefit of Chase, dated January 31,
                   1996.
  *10.05      --   Registrant's 1997 Incentive Stock Option Plan.
  *10.06      --   Form of Employment Agreement by and between the Registrant and Steven Girgenti.
  *10.07      --   Form of Employment Agreement by and between the Registrant and William Leslie Milton.
  *10.08      --   Form of Employment Agreement by and between GH and William Butler.
   10.09      --   Form of Employment Agreement by and between GH and Herbert Ehrenthal.
  *10.10      --   Employment Agreement by and between GH and Francis Hughes, dated as of September 8, 1995.
  *10.11      --   Employment Agreement by and between the Registrant and Stuart Diamond.
  *10.12      --   License Agreement between the Registrant and Healthworld, B.V.
  *10.13      --   Lease for office space located at 100 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY, between The Rector,
                   Church-Wardens and Vestrymen of Trinity Church in the City of New York and GH, dated July 15,
                   1994.
  *10.14      --   Agreement for the sale and purchase of share capital of Effective Sales Personnel Limited between
                   Gloria Olive Sargent and Siteinput Limited, dated November 8, 1995.
  *10.15      --   Supplemental Agreement relating to the sale and purchase of share capital of Effective Sales
                   Personnel Limited between Gloria Olive Sargent and Siteinput Limited, dated November 29, 1996.
  *10.16      --   Agreement for the sale and purchase of shares in PDM Communications Limited among Leonard Moreton,
                   Lizabeth Jenny Moreton, Leonard Moreton & Co. and Siteinput Limited, dated November 26, 1996.
  *10.17      --   Agreement for the sale and purchase of shares in PDM Communications Limited between William
                   Annandale and Siteinput Limited, dated November 21, 1996.
  *10.18      --   Joint Venture Agreement between Siteinput Limited and Claire Denise Cater dated May 23, 1996.
  *10.19      --   Share Sale Agreement between Wendy Carter and Siteinput Limited dated April 4, 1996.
  *10.20      --   Overdraft Facility, dated November 6, 1995, between Siteinput Limited and The Bank of Scotland.
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------
   
 * Previously filed.
    
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
  NUMBER     DESCRIPTION

- ----------   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>          <C>   <C>
  *10.21      --   Multi Option Facility by and between Bank of Scotland and Milton Marketing Group Limited, Milton
                   Marketing Limited, Milton Cater Limited, Milton Headcount Limited, Effective Sales Personnel
                   Limited and PDM Communications Ltd.
  *10.22      --   Form of Employment Agreement by and between Milton Headcount Limited and Michael Garnham.
  *10.23      --   Line of Credit between Chase and GH and each of its affiliated entities, dated October 23, 1997.
   10.24      --   Accounts Receivable Purchase Agreement, dated November 11, 1997, by and between GH and The CIT
                   Group/Commercial Services, Inc.
   10.25      --   Guaranty, dated November 11, 1997, by and between the Registrant and GH and each of its affiliated
                   entities in favor of The CIT Group/Commercial Services, Inc.
  *11.01      --   Statement regarding computation of supplemental pro forma per share earnings.
  *21.01      --   Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
   23.01      --   Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
   23.02      --   Consent of Rosenman & Colin LLP (included in Exhibit 5.01).
  *24.01      --   Power of attorney.
  *27.01      --   Financial Data Schedule.
  *27.02      --   Financial Data Schedule.
  *27.03      --   Financial Data Schedule.
  *27.04      --   Financial Data Schedule.
  *27.05      --   Financial Data Schedule.
  *27.06      --   Financial Data Schedule.
  *27.07      --   Financial Data Schedule.
  *27.08      --   Financial Data Schedule.
  *99.01      --   Consents of Nominee Directors.
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------
 * Previously filed.
 
   
     (b) Financial Statement Schedule
    
 
        None.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
     The Registrant hereby undertakes:
 
          (1) To provide to the Underwriters at the closing specified in the
     underwriting agreement, certificates in such denominations and registered
     in such names as required by the Underwriters to permit prompt delivery to
     each purchaser.
 
          (2) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
     Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of
     this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
     form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
     (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
     Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
          (3) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities

     Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall
     be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
     offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
     deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the applicable provisions of the DGCL, or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission, such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
 
                                      II-3

<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
has duly caused this Amendment No. 3 to this Registration Statement to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New
York, State of New York, on the 19th day of November 1997.
    
 
                                          HEALTHWORLD CORPORATION
 
                                          By:        /s/ STEVEN GIRGENTI
                                              ---------------------------------
                                                       Steven Girgenti
                                                 Chairman of the Board and
                                                  Chief Executive Officer
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
No. 3 to this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following
persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                SIGNATURE                                      TITLE                             DATE
- ------------------------------------------  -------------------------------------------   ------------------- 
<S>                                         <C>                                           <C>
           /s/ STEVEN GIRGENTI              Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive       November 19, 1997
- ------------------------------------------  Officer (principal executive officer)
             Steven Girgenti
 
            /s/ STUART DIAMOND              Executive Vice President, Chief Financial       November 19, 1997
- ------------------------------------------  Officer and Secretary (principal financial
              Stuart Diamond                and accounting officer)
 
        /s/ WILLIAM LESLIE MILTON*          Vice Chairman of the Board and President        November 19, 1997
- ------------------------------------------
          William Leslie Milton
 
           /s/ FRANCIS HUGHES*              Director                                        November 19, 1997
- ------------------------------------------
              Francis Hughes
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------
        *By: /s/ STEVEN GIRGENTI
- ------------------------------------------
           Steven Girgenti, as 
           Attorney-in-Fact

                                     II-4

<PAGE>
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
  NUMBER     DESCRIPTION
- ----------   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>          <C>   <C>
   *1.01      --   Form of Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and C.E. Unterberg, Towbin and
                   Pennsylvania Merchant Group Ltd, as representatives of several underwriters.
   *2.01      --   Letter of Intent between Girgenti, Hughes, Butler & McDowell, Inc. ('GH') and its
                   affiliated entities and Milton Marketing Group Limited and its subsidiaries, dated
                   November 14, 1996, as amended July 24, 1997.
   *2.02      --   Agreement and Plan of Organization by and among the Registrant, Steven Girgenti,
                   Francis Hughes, William Butler and Herbert Ehrenthal, dated as of October 23, 1997.
   *2.03      --   Agreement and Plan of Organization between the Registrant and William Leslie Milton,
                   dated as of October 23, 1997.
   *2.04      --   Agreement and Plan of Organization by and between the Registrant and Michael Garnham,
                   dated as of October 23, 1997.
   *2.05      --   Agreement and Plan of Organization between the Registrant and Leonard Moreton, dated
                   as of October 23, 1997.
   *2.06      --   Agreement and Plan of Organization between the Registrant and Michael Bourne, dated as
                   of October 23, 1997.
   *3.01      --   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant.
   *3.02      --   Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant.
   *4.01      --   Specimen Common Stock Certificate.
    5.01      --   Opinion of Rosenman & Colin LLP.
  *10.01      --   Term Loan Facility, dated November 6, 1995, by and between Siteinput Limited (n/k/a
                   Milton Marketing Group Limited) and Bank of Scotland, as amended by letter dated July
                   23, 1997.
  *10.02      --   Line of Credit between The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. ('Chase') and GH and each of its
                   affiliated entities, dated January 22, 1996.
  *10.03      --   Line of Credit between Chase and GH and each of its affiliated entities, dated January
                   17, 1997.
  *10.04      --   Promissory Note made by GH and its affiliated entities for the benefit of Chase, dated
                   January 31, 1996.
  *10.05      --   Registrant's 1997 Incentive Stock Option Plan.
  *10.06      --   Form of Employment Agreement by and between the Registrant and Steven Girgenti.
  *10.07      --   Form of Employment Agreement by and between the Registrant and William Leslie Milton.
  *10.08      --   Form of Employment Agreement by and between GH and William Butler.
   10.09      --   Form of Employment Agreement by and between GH and Herbert Ehrenthal.
  *10.10      --   Employment Agreement by and between GH and Francis Hughes, dated as of September 8,
                   1995.
  *10.11      --   Employment Agreement by and between the Registrant and Stuart Diamond.
  *10.12      --   License Agreement between the Registrant and Healthworld, B.V.
  *10.13      --   Lease for office space located at 100 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY, between
                   The Rector, Church-Wardens and Vestrymen of Trinity Church in the City of New York and
                   GH, dated July 15, 1994.
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------

   
 * Previously filed.
    
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
  NUMBER     DESCRIPTION
- ----------   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>          <C>   <C>
  *10.14      --   Agreement for the sale and purchase of share capital of Effective Sales Personnel
                   Limited between Gloria Olive Sargent and Siteinput Limited, dated November 8, 1995.
  *10.15      --   Supplemental Agreement relating to the sale and purchase of share capital of Effective
                   Sales Personnel Limited between Gloria Olive Sargent and Siteinput Limited, dated
                   November 29, 1996.
  *10.16      --   Agreement for the sale and purchase of shares in PDM Communications Limited among
                   Leonard Moreton, Lizabeth Jenny Moreton, Leonard Moreton & Co. and Siteinput Limited,
                   dated November 26, 1996.
  *10.17      --   Agreement for the sale and purchase of shares in PDM Communications Limited between
                   William Annandale and Siteinput Limited, dated November 21, 1996.
  *10.18      --   Joint Venture Agreement between Siteinput Limited and Claire Denise Cater dated May
                   23, 1996.
  *10.19      --   Share Sale Agreement between Wendy Carter and Siteinput Limited dated April 4, 1996.
  *10.20      --   Overdraft Facility, dated November 6, 1995, between Siteinput Limited and The Bank of
                   Scotland.
  *10.21      --   Multi Option Facility by and between Bank of Scotland and Milton Marketing Group
                   Limited, Milton Marketing Limited, Milton Cater Limited, Milton Headcount Limited,
                   Effective Sales Personnel Limited and PDM Communications Ltd.
  *10.22      --   Form of Employment Agreement by and between Milton Headcount Limited and Michael
                   Garnham.
  *10.23      --   Line of Credit between Chase and GH and each of its affiliated entities, dated October
                   23, 1997.
   10.24      --   Accounts Receivable Purchase Agreement, dated November 11, 1997, by and between GH and
                   The CIT Group/Commercial Serfvices, Inc.
   10.25      --   Guaranty, dated November 11, 1997, by and between the Registrant and GH and each of
                   its affiliated entities in favor of The CIT Group/Commercial Services, Inc.
  *11.01      --   Statement regarding computation of supplemental pro forma per share earnings.
  *21.01      --   Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
   23.01      --   Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
   23.02      --   Consent of Rosenman & Colin LLP (included in Exhibit 5.01).
  *24.01      --   Power of attorney.
  *27.01      --   Financial Data Schedule.
  *27.02      --   Financial Data Schedule.
  *27.03      --   Financial Data Schedule.
  *27.04      --   Financial Data Schedule.
  *27.05      --   Financial Data Schedule.
  *27.06      --   Financial Data Schedule.
  *27.07      --   Financial Data Schedule.
  *27.08      --   Financial Data Schedule.
  *99.01      --   Consents of Nominee Directors.
</TABLE>
    
 

- ------------------
   
 * Previously filed.
    


<PAGE>

November 17, 1997

Securities and Exchange Commission
Judiciary Plaza
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have been requested by Healthworld Corporation (the "Company"), a
Delaware corporation, to furnish our opinion in connection with the registration
statement (the "Registration Statement") on Form S-1 (Registration Number
333-34751), with respect to the registration of 2,415,000 shares (the "Shares")
of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per share.

         We have made such examination as we have deemed necessary for the
purpose of this opinion. Based upon such examination, it is our opinion that,
when the Registration Statement has become effective under the Securities Act of
1933, when the Shares have been qualified as required under the laws of those
jurisdictions in which they are to be issued and sold and when the Shares have
been issued, sold and paid for in the manner described in the Registration
Statement, the Shares will have been validly issued and will be fully paid and
non-assessable.

         We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to our name under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement.

                                           Very truly yours,

                                           ROSENMAN & COLIN LLP


                                           By: /s/ Howard S. Jacobs
                                               -----------------------
                                               A Partner



<PAGE>



                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


                  EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of November __, 1997, between
GIRGENTI, HUGHES, BUTLER & McDOWELL, INC., a New York corporation with offices
at 100 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10013 (the "Company"), and
HERBERT EHRENTHAL, residing at 1077 River Road, Edgewater, New Jersey 07020
("Employee").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

                  WHEREAS, as of the Effective Date (as defined in Section 1),
the Company will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Healthworld Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Parent"); and

                  WHEREAS, the Company desires to engage Employee to perform
services for the Company, Medical Education Technologies, Inc., a New York
corporation ("MET"), Black Cat Graphics, Inc., a New York corporation ("Black
Cat"), Brand Research Corporation, a New York corporation ("Brand Research"),
and Food Com (a division of the Company ("FoodCom"), each of which will be, as
of the Effective Date, wholly owned subsidiaries or a division of the Parent,
and their successors and assigns, and Employee desires to perform such services,
on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations,
warranties and mutual covenants set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:

                  1.       Term.

                  The Company agrees to employ Employee, and Employee agrees to
serve, on the terms and conditions of this Agreement for a period commencing on
the effective date (the "Effective Date") of the Parent's Registration Statement
on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-34751), filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and ending on May   ,
1999 (the "Termination Date"), or such shorter period as may be provided for
herein; provided, however, that the term of this Agreement shall be extended
(subject to earlier termination as provided herein) for successive one year
periods unless at least 90 days prior to the end of the then current term
hereof, the Company or Employee has notified the other party in writing that
Employee's employment hereunder shall terminate at the end of the then current
term. The period during which Employee is employed hereunder is hereinafter
referred to as the "Employment Period." As used herein, the term "Employment
Year" shall mean a one-year period of Employee's employment hereunder commencing
on



<PAGE>




each January 1 during the Employment Period, provided that the first Employment
Year shall be the period commencing on January 1, 1998 and ending on December
31, 1998.

                  2.       Duties and Services.

                  During the Employment Period, Employee shall be employed as
the Executive Vice President - U.S. Communications Services of the Company, and
shall perform the duties incident to that position which shall include
responsibility for U.S. communications services for the Companies (as defined
below). In the performance of his duties, Employee shall be subject to the
direction of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Board of
Directors of the Company. In addition, during the Employment Period, Employee
may be elected to and shall serve, if so elected, as a member of the Board of
Directors of the Company and any of the other Companies as may from time to time
be prescribed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company or the Board of
Directors of the Company. Employee agrees to his employment as described in this
Section 2. Employee agrees to devote all of his time and efforts to the
performance of his duties under this Agreement. Employee shall provide his
duties from the Company's principal offices located in New York City and
Employee shall be available to travel as the needs of the business require. As
used herein, the term "Companies" shall mean and include the Company, MET, Black
Cat, Brand Research and FoodCom, but shall specifically exclude Syberactive,
Inc., Headcount USA, Inc. or any other United States contract sales operations
and any business acquired after the Effective Date by the Parent, the Company or
any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates.

                  3.       Compensation.

                  (a) The Company shall pay Employee, during the Employment
Period, a base salary at the annual rate of $300,000 (prorated for periods that
are less than one year) payable at such intervals as salaries are paid by the
Company to other executives of the Company. Employee's base salary shall be
subject to annual increase at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors of
the Company.

                  (b) During the Employment Period, Employee shall receive an
annual incentive bonus (the "Annual Incentive Bonus") for each Employment Year,
payable not later than 110 days after the end of the applicable Employment Year,
in an amount to be determined as follows:

                           (i) if EBIT (as defined below) for the fiscal year
                  corresponding to the applicable Employment Year does not
                  exceed the Base EBIT (as defined below), Employee shall not be
                  entitled to an Annual Incentive Bonus with respect to such
                  Employment Year;


                                       -2-


<PAGE>




                           (ii) if EBIT for the fiscal year corresponding to the
                  applicable Employment Year exceeds the Base EBIT by an amount
                  equal to or less than 10%, Employee shall receive an Annual
                  Incentive Bonus with respect to such Employment Year in an
                  amount equal to 12.5% of Employee's annual base salary for
                  such Employment Year, subject to reduction pursuant to Section
                  3(c) below;

                           (iii) if EBIT for the fiscal year corresponding to
                  the applicable Employment Year exceeds the Base EBIT by an
                  amount in excess of 10% but less than or equal to 15%,
                  Employee shall receive an Annual Incentive Bonus with respect
                  to such Employment Year in an amount equal to 18.5% of
                  Employee's annual base salary for such Employment Year,
                  subject to reduction pursuant to Section 3(c) below;

                           (iv) if EBIT for the fiscal year corresponding to the
                  applicable Employment Year exceeds the Base EBIT by an amount
                  in excess of 15% but less than or equal to 20%, Employee shall
                  receive an Annual Incentive Bonus with respect to such
                  Employment Year in an amount equal to 26% of Employee's annual
                  base salary for such Employment Year, subject to reduction
                  pursuant to Section 3(c) below; and

                           (v) if EBIT for the fiscal year corresponding to the
                  applicable Employment Year exceeds the Base EBIT by an amount
                  in excess of 20%, Employee shall receive an Annual Incentive
                  Bonus with respect to such Employment Year in an amount equal
                  to 35% of Employee's annual base salary for such Employment
                  Year, subject to reduction pursuant to Section 3(c) below.

                  (c) The amount of the Annual Incentive Bonus which Employee
may be entitled to receive for each Employment Year as calculated above shall be
subject to the following reductions:

                           (i) if Revenues (as defined below) for the fiscal
                  year corresponding to the applicable Employment Year do not
                  exceed the Base Revenues (as defined below), Employee shall
                  only be entitled to an Annual Incentive Bonus with respect to
                  such Employment Year in an amount equal to 25% of the amount
                  calculated in Section 3(b) above;

                           (ii) if Revenues for the fiscal year corresponding to
                  the applicable Employment Year exceed the Base Revenues by an
                  amount equal to or less than 4.0%, Employee shall receive an
                  Annual Incentive Bonus with respect to such Employment Year in
                  an amount equal to 40% of the amount calculated in Section
                  3(b) above;


                                       -3-



<PAGE>



                           (iii) if Revenues for the fiscal year corresponding
                  to the applicable Employment Year exceed the Base Revenues by
                  an amount in excess of 4.0% but less than or equal to 7.5%,
                  Employee shall receive an Annual Incentive Bonus with respect
                  to such Employment Year in an amount equal to 50% of the
                  amount calculated in Section 3(b) above;

                           (iv) if Revenues for the fiscal year corresponding to
                  the applicable Employment Year exceed the Base Revenues by an
                  amount in excess of 7.5% but less than or equal to 10.0%,
                  Employee shall receive an Annual Incentive Bonus with respect
                  to such Employment Year in an amount equal to 60% of the
                  amount calculated in Section 3(b) above; and

                           (v) if Revenues for the fiscal year corresponding to
                  the applicable Employment Year exceed the Base Revenues by an
                  amount in excess of 10.0% but less than or equal to 12.5%,
                  Employee shall receive an Annual Incentive Bonus with respect
                  to such Employment Year in an amount equal to 70% of the
                  amount calculated in Section 3(b) above;

                           (vi) if Revenues for the fiscal year corresponding to
                  the applicable Employment Year exceed the Base Revenues by an
                  amount in excess of 12.5% but less than or equal to 15.0%,
                  Employee shall receive an Annual Incentive Bonus with respect
                  to such Employment Year in an amount equal to 85% of the
                  amount calculated in Section 3(b) above; and

                           (vii) if Revenues for the fiscal year corresponding
                  to the applicable Employment Year exceed the Base Revenues by
                  an amount in excess of 15.0%, Employee shall receive an Annual
                  Incentive Bonus in an amount equal to the amount calculated in
                  Section 3(b) above.

                  The Company shall deliver to Employee a calculation of the
Annual Incentive Bonus together with its payment thereof.

                  (d) As used herein, the term "EBIT" shall mean the earnings
from operations of the Companies before interest, taxes and extraordinary items,
determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP").
As used herein, the term "Revenues" shall mean the net commissions and fees of
the Companies, determined in accordance with GAAP.

                  (e) As used herein, the term "Base EBIT" shall mean (i) with
respect to calculating the Annual Incentive Bonus for the first Employment Year,
EBIT for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1997, and (ii) the "Base EBIT" used
to calculate the Annual Incentive Bonus for each successive Employment Year
shall be determined by increasing the Base EBIT used for calculating the Annual
Incentive Bonus for the prior Employment Year by 7%, compounded annually. As

used herein, the term "Base Revenues", shall mean (x) with respect to
calculating the Annual Incentive Bonus for the


                                       -4-


<PAGE>



first Employment Year, the Revenues for the fiscal year ending December 31,
1997, and (y) the "Base Revenues" used to calculate the Annual Incentive Bonus
for each successive Employment Year shall be determined by increasing the Base
Revenues used for calculating the Annual Incentive Bonus for the prior
Employment Year by 7%, compounded annually.

                  (f) In addition, Employee may be entitled to receive an
additional annual bonus at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors of the
Parent and the Company.

                  (g) All compensation hereunder (whether in the form of base
salary or incentive compensation) shall be subject to payroll deductions as may
be necessary or customary in respect of salaried personnel of the Company.

                  (h) Employee will be granted access to the financial 
information used to calculate Employee's bonus hereunder.

                  (i) To the extent Employee ceases to be employed by the
Company during any Employment Year, calculations of EBIT and Revenues shall be
pro rated for periods of less than such Employment Year up to the date of
Employee's termination.

                  4.       Benefits.

                  (a) During the Employment Period, Employee may participate, to
the extent eligible, in each insurance (including, without limitation, any life,
travel and accident and medical and other health insurance), pension, disability
and other employee benefit plans maintained by the Company for its senior
management or employees generally (and, in particular, those employee benefit
plans in which the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company is eligible to participate) in accordance with the terms thereof.

                  (b) Employee shall be entitled to such number of sick days
every year during the Employment Period as are generally provided from time to
time by the Company to its senior management. Any unused sick days at the end of
the calendar year shall not accrue or cumulate from year to year.

                  (c) During the Employment Period, Employee shall be entitled
to reimbursement for all lease payments, gasoline, maintenance and other costs
and expenses for his automobile in the aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000
per year, upon submission and approval of written statements and bills in
accordance with the then regular procedures of the Company.


                  (d) During the Employment Period, Employee shall be entitled
to reimbursement for all reasonable travel, entertainment and other
out-of-pocket expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of his duties
hereunder (excluding automobile


                                       -5-


<PAGE>



expenses as described in subsection (c) above), upon submission and approval of
written statements and bills in accordance with the then regular procedures of
the Company.

                  5.       Vacation.

                  Employee shall be entitled to such number of weeks of paid
vacation every year during the Employment Period as are generally provided from
time to time by the Company to its senior management. The time during which
vacation will be taken shall be coordinated with other senior management of the
Company. Any unused vacation time at the end of a calendar year shall not accrue
or cumulate from year to year and Employee shall not be entitled to compensation
for unused vacation time.

                  6.       Representations, Warranties
                           and Covenants of Employee.

                  Employee represents and warrants to the Company that (a)
Employee is under no contractual or other restriction or obligation which is
inconsistent with the execution of this Agreement, the performance of his duties
hereunder, or the other rights of the Company hereunder and (b) Employee is, to
the best of his knowledge, under no physical or mental disability that would
hinder his performance of duties under this Agreement.

                  7.       Noncompetition; Nonsolicitation.

                  (a) In view of the unique and valuable services it is expected
Employee will render to the Company, and in consideration of the compensation to
be received hereunder, Employee agrees (i) that he will not, during the period
he is employed by the Company under this Agreement, Participate In (as defined
below) any other business or organization, whether or not such business or
organization now is or shall then be competing with or of a nature similar to
the business or profession of the Company or any of the Companies, and (ii) for
a period of one year after he ceases to be employed by the Company under this
Agreement, he will not compete with or be engaged in the same business as or
Participate In any other business or organization which during such one year
period competes with or is engaged in the same business as the Company or any of
the Companies with respect to any product or service sold or proposed to be sold
or activity engaged in or proposed to be engaged in up to the time of such
cessation within a 100-mile radius of the location of the Company's executive
offices on the date on which Employee ceases to be employed by the Company under

this Agreement, except that in each case the provisions of this Section 7(a)
will not be deemed breached merely because Employee owns not more than 1% of the
outstanding common stock of a corporation, if, at the time of its acquisition by
Employee, such stock is listed on a


                                       -6-


<PAGE>



national securities exchange, is reported on Nasdaq, or is regularly traded in
the over-the-counter market by a member of a national securities exchange.

                  As used in this Agreement, the term "Participate In" shall
mean: "directly or indirectly, for his own benefit or for, with, or through any
other person, firm, or corporation, own, manage, operate, control, loan money
to, or participate in the ownership, management, operation, or control of, or be
connected as a director, officer, employee, partner, consultant, agent,
independent contractor, or otherwise with, or acquiesce in the use of his name
in."

                  (b) Employee will not directly or indirectly reveal the name
of, solicit or interfere with, or endeavor to entice away from the Company or
any of the Companies or any of its respective employees for a period of one year
after Employee leaves the employment of the Company. Employee will not directly
or indirectly employ any person who is an employee of the Company or any of the
Companies for a period of one year after the Employee leaves the employ of the
Company.

                  (c) Since a breach of the provisions of this Section 7 could
not adequately be compensated by money damages, the Company shall be entitled,
in addition to any other right and remedy available to it, to an injunction
restraining such breach or a threatened breach, and in either case no bond or
other security shall be required in connection therewith, and Employee hereby
consents to the issuance of such injunction. Employee agrees that the provisions
of this Section 7 are necessary and reasonable to protect the Company or any of
the Companies in the conduct of its respective business. If any restriction
contained in this Section 7 shall be deemed to be invalid, illegal, or
unenforceable by reason of the extent, duration, or geographical scope thereof,
or otherwise, then the court making such determination shall have the right to
reduce such extent, duration, geographical scope, or other provisions hereof,
and in its reduced form such restriction shall then be enforceable in the manner
contemplated hereby.

                  (d) In view of the unique and valuable services it is expected
Employee will render to the Company and in consideration of the compensation to
be received hereunder, Employee agrees that for a period of one year after
Employee ceases to be employed by the Company under this Agreement, Employee
will not, directly or indirectly, solicit or provide services for any accounts,
clients or customers of the Company existing on the date of termination of
employment hereunder or during the period of one year prior to such termination

of employment.

                  8.       Copyrights, Patents, Etc.

                  Any interest in patents, patent applications, inventions,
technological innovations, copyrights, copyrightable works, developments,
discoveries, designs, and processes ("Such Inventions") which Employee now or
hereafter during the period he is employed by the Company under this Agreement
or otherwise and for ninety (90) days


                                       -7-


<PAGE>



thereafter may own, conceive of, or develop and either relating to the fields in
which the Company or any of the Companies may then be engaged or contemplates
being engaged or conceived of or developed utilizing the time, material,
facilities, or information of the Company or any of the Companies, shall belong
to the Company or any of the Companies, as the case may be. As soon as Employee
owns, conceives of, or develops any Such Invention, he agrees immediately to
communicate such fact in writing to the Company, and without further
compensation, but at the Company's expense (except as noted in clause (a) of
this Section 8), forthwith upon request of the Company, Employee shall execute
all such assignments and other documents (including applications for patents,
copyrights, trademarks, and assignments thereof) and take all such other action
as the Company may reasonably request in order (a) to vest in the Company all
Employee's right, title, and interest in and to Such Inventions, free and clear
of liens, mortgages, security interests, pledges, charges, and encumbrances
("Liens") (Employee to take such action, at his expense as is necessary to
remove all such Liens) and (b), if patentable or copyrightable, to obtain
patents or copyrights (including extensions and renewals) therefor in any and
all countries in such name as the Company shall determine.

                  9.       Confidential Information.

                  All confidential information which Employee may now possess,
may obtain during or after the Employment Period, or may create prior to the end
of the period he is employed by the Company under this Agreement relating to the
business of the Parent, the Company or any of the Companies shall not be
published, disclosed, or made accessible by him to any other person, firm, or
corporation either during or after the termination of his employment or used by
him except during the Employment Period in the business and for the benefit of
the Company and the Companies, in each case without prior written permission of
the Company. Employee shall return all tangible evidence of such confidential
information to the Company prior to or at the termination of his employment.

                  10.  Life Insurance.

                  If requested by the Company, Employee shall submit to such
physical examinations and otherwise take such actions and execute and deliver

such documents as may be reasonably necessary to enable the Company, at its
expense and for its own benefit, to obtain life insurance on the life of
Employee.

                  11.      Termination.

                  Notwithstanding anything herein contained, if, prior to the
end of the Employment Period:


                                       -8-


<PAGE>




                  (a) either (i) Employee shall be physically or mentally
incapacitated or disabled (as determined by an independent physician selected by
the Board of Directors of the Company) or otherwise unable fully to discharge
his duties hereunder for a period of 13 consecutive weeks or an aggregate of 13
weeks in any six-month period, (ii) Employee shall be convicted by, or shall
have entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere in, a court of competent and
final jurisdiction for any crime involving moral turpitude, fraud, embezzlement,
misappropriation, or any other felony crime punishable by imprisonment, (iii)
Employee shall commit any act of fraud, embezzlement or other act of
misappropriation affecting the Company, (iv) Employee shall fail or refuse to
perform his material duties as required hereunder or shall refuse to follow
direct instructions from the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
of the Company or the Board of Directors of the Company or GHB&M or shall
materially violate his duty of loyalty to the Company, GHB&M or any of the other
Companies or otherwise shall breach any term of this Agreement and fail to
correct such breach within 20 days after notice of commission thereof, then, in
each such case, the Company shall have the right to give notice of termination
of Employee's services hereunder as of a date (not earlier than ten days from
such notice) to be specified in such notice, and this Agreement shall terminate
on the date so specified; or

                  (b) Employee shall die, then this Agreement shall terminate 
on the date of Employee's death.

                  (c) Upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to subsection
(a)(i) or (b) of this Section 11, neither party shall have any further
obligations hereunder except that (i) Employee (or his estate in the event of
his death) shall be entitled to receive his salary which shall not have
previously been paid to the date of termination, any bonus (including, without
limitation, the Annual Incentive Bonus) for the Employment Year prior to the
Employment Year in which Employee is terminated to the extent accrued but not
yet paid, and any bonus (including, without limitation, the Annual Incentive
Bonus) for the Employment Year in which Employee is terminated pro rata to the
date of termination, and (ii) for obligations or covenants contained herein that
extend beyond the term of this Agreement.


                  (d) Upon termination of this Agreement as a result of
Employee's voluntary action or pursuant to subsections (a)(ii), (a)(iii) or
(a)(iv) of this Section 11, neither party shall have any further obligations
hereunder except (i) Employee shall be entitled to receive his salary which
shall not have previously been paid to the date of termination, and any bonus
(including, without limitation, the Annual Incentive Bonus) for the Employment
Year prior to the Employment Year in which Employee is terminated to the extent
accrued but not yet paid, and solely in the event upon termination of this
Agreement as a result of Employee's voluntary action, Employee shall be entitled
to receive any bonus (including, without limitation, the Annual Incentive Bonus)
for the Employment Year in which Employee is terminated pro rata to the date of
termination, and (ii) for obligations or covenants contained herein that extend
beyond the term of this Agreement.


                                       -9-


<PAGE>




                  (e) In the event Employee's employment is terminated during
the term of this Agreement other than by Employee's voluntary action or pursuant
to subsection (a) or (b) of this Section 11, Employee shall be entitled to
receive (i) an amount equal to his current base salary for the period from the
date of termination through the later of (A) the balance of the scheduled term
of this Agreement, less any compensation received or receivable by Employee as a
result of any other employment obtained by Employee during such period, which
amounts shall be payable in accordance with the Company's normal payroll
practices then in effect, (ii) any bonus (including, without limitation, the
Annual Incentive Bonus) for the Employment Year prior to the Employment Year in
which Employee is terminated, to the extent accrued but not yet paid, and any
bonus (including, without limitation, the Annual Incentive Bonus) for the
Employment Year in which Employee is terminated pro rata to the date of
termination; (iii) any benefits then vested under any benefit plans and
otherwise payable in accordance with the provisions of the applicable benefit
plan and applicable laws, (iv) continued coverage (net of any Employee
contributions) to the extent any such coverage was provided immediately prior to
the termination of Employee for medical, health, hospital and disability
insurance from the date of termination through the balance of the scheduled term
of the Agreement or (B) eighteen months, under the benefit plans maintained by
the Company for its senior management or employees generally in accordance with
the terms thereof or, if the Company is unable to provide such coverage under
its benefits plans as they may from time to time be in effect, the Company will
provide or pay (without gross-up for taxes), at the Company's sole discretion,
for coverage (net of any Employee contributions) having substantially the same
aggregate value as the coverage provided under such plans, and (v) continued
coverage (net of any Employee contributions) from the date of termination
through the balance of the scheduled term of this Agreement under any life
insurance policies maintained for Employee immediately prior to the termination
of Employee (other than any policy under which the Company is the beneficiary)
or, if the Company is unable to provide such coverage, the Company will pay (net

of any Employee contributions) to Employee (without gross-up for taxes) an
amount sufficient for Employee to purchase such life insurance policy and pay
the premiums thereon through the balance of the scheduled term of this
Agreement. Employee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of any other
employment obtained or undertaken by Employee, and the salary, compensation or
other amounts received or to be received by Employee therefrom. In the event
Employee's employment is terminated during the term of this Agreement other than
by Employee's voluntary action or pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of this
Section 11, this subsection (e) of this Section 11 will apply in place of any
Company severance policies that might otherwise be applicable, and the Company
will have no obligation to make any payments to Employee except those expressly
set forth in this subsection (e) of this Section 11.

                  (f) If the Employee accepts other employment all compensation
payable to the Employee from services as an officer, consultant or employee of
any other business after the termination of the Employee's employment hereunder
with respect to the balance of the Employment Period, whether paid during or
after such period shall be offset against and used to reduce any payments (but
not below zero) or benefits required


                                      -10-


<PAGE>



to be paid to or received by Employee under this Agreement, other than pursuant
to Section 15 hereof.

                  12.      Survival.

                  The covenants, agreements, representations, and warranties
contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement shall survive Employee's
termination of employment.

                  13.      Modification.

                  This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, supersedes all existing
agreements between them concerning such subject matter, and may be modified only
by a written instrument duly executed by each party.

                  14.      Notices.

                  Any notice or other communication required or permitted to be
given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed by certified mail,
return receipt requested, or delivered against receipt to the party to whom it
is to be given at the address of such party set forth in the preamble to this
Agreement (or to such other address as the party shall have furnished in writing
in accordance with the provisions of this Section 14). Notice to the estate of
Employee shall be sufficient if addressed to Employee as provided in this
Section 14. Any notice or other communication given by certified mail (or such

comparable method) shall be deemed given at the time of certification thereof
(or comparable act), except for a notice changing a party's address which shall
be deemed given at the time of receipt thereof.

                  15.      Consulting Agreement.

                  Upon expiration of the full Employment Period or if Employee
is terminated for any reason other than as a result of the termination of
Employee pursuant to Sections 11(a) or (b) hereof, the Company and Employee
shall enter into a consulting agreement (the "Consulting Agreement"), pursuant
to which Employee will serve as a consultant to the Company for a term of two
years for a consulting fee equal to $300,000 per year for the first year of such
consulting arrangement and $120,000 per year for the second year of such
consulting arrangement and under which Employee will provide consulting services
to the Company for a minimum of five full days per month during the term
thereof. The Consulting Agreement shall contain such terms and provisions as
shall be mutually agreed upon after good faith negotiation by the Company and
Employee provided however that if Employee's employment is terminated during the


                                      -11-


<PAGE>



term of this Agreement, other than pursuant to Section 11(a) or (b) hereof, or
the term of this Agreement is not extended after the Termination Date, Employee
shall be entitled to receive the consulting fees provided for in this Section 15
regardless of whether or not a Consulting Agreement has been executed after good
faith negotiation by the Employee.

                  16.      Waiver.

                  Any waiver by either party of a breach of any provision of
this Agreement shall not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any other
breach of such provision or of any breach of any other provision of this
Agreement. The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of
this Agreement on one or more occasions shall not be considered a waiver or
deprive that party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to
that term or any other term of this Agreement. Any waiver must be in writing.

                  17.      Binding Effect.

                  Employee's rights and obligations under this Agreement shall
not be transferable by assignment or otherwise, such rights shall not be subject
to commutation, encumbrance, or the claims of Employee's creditors, and any
attempt to do any of the foregoing shall be void. The provisions of this
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Employee and his
heirs and personal representatives, and shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns.

                  18.      No Third Party Beneficiaries.


                  This Agreement does not create, and shall not be construed as
creating, any rights enforceable by any person not a party to this Agreement
(except as provided in Section 17).

                  19.      Headings.

                  The headings in this Agreement are solely for the convenience
of reference and shall be given no effect in the construction or interpretation
of this Agreement.


                                      -12-


<PAGE>


                  20.      Counterparts; Governing Law.

                  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving
effect to conflict of laws.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this
Agreement as of the date first above written.



                                    GIRGENTI, HUGHES, BUTLER & McDOWELL, INC.

                                    By:
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                        Title:


                                        -----------------------------------
                                                Herbert Ehrenthal


                                      -13-



<PAGE>

                        [LETTERHEAD OF THE CIT GROUP]

[ARTWORK]                                                  November 11, 1997

GIRGENTI, HUGHES, BUTLER & McDOWELL, INC.
100 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10013-1687

                    ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We are pleased to confirm the terms and conditions that are to govern our
accounts receivable purchase arrangement with you.

    1.  You hereby sell, transfer and assign to us, and we agree to purchase as
absolute owner, all of the accounts receivable created by or arising from your
sales of goods or rendition of services which are listed on the Schedule
attached hereto consisting of 2 pages (herein "Accounts"). All Accounts shall
become our property effective this date.

    2.  We have given credit approval on all the Accounts, therefore, the entire
Credit Risk (customer's failure to pay an invoice in full when due at its
maturity because of its financial inability to pay) will be assumed by us on
each Account as to which the customer has actually received and finally accepted
delivery of the goods or services. Without our prior written consent, you will
not change the amount or terms of any Account, or grant any other indulgence
with respect thereto.

    3.  Your invoices do not bear a notice that the Accounts have been assigned
to us. You will give us: copies of all invoices relating to the Accounts;
confirmation of the assignment and transfer of Accounts to us; proof of shipment
or delivery; reports on collections, credits and deductions; and such other
information and/or reports relating to the Accounts and the proceeds thereof,
all as we may from time to time request (including without limitation the
information and reports set forth in paragraph 5 hereof). We are authorized to
regard your printed name or rubber stamp signature on confirmatory schedules of
assigned Accounts as the equivalent of a manual signature by one of your
authorized officers or agents.

    4.  You hereby represent and warrant that: each Account is based on an
actual and bona fide sale and delivery of goods or rendition of services in the
ordinary course of your business; the goods and inventory sold and the Accounts
created are your exclusive property and are not and shall not be subject to any
lien, consignment arrangement, encumbrance, security interest or financing
statement whatsoever, other than in our favor; your customers have accepted the
goods or services and owe and are obligated to 

<PAGE>

pay the full amounts stated in the invoices according to their terms, without
dispute, offset, deduction, defense or counterclaim; shipment has not been

deferred on goods which you have sold and invoiced to a customer (that is, the
goods are not "bill and hold"); none of the Accounts arise from sales to
consumers of goods to be used for personal, family or household purposes; all
Accounts are payable in United States Dollars; any taxes or fees relating to the
Accounts or goods are solely your responsibility; and none of the Accounts
represent sales to any subsidiary, parent or affiliated company of yours. If
there is a breach of any of these representations and warranties, we shall be
released from liability for the Credit Risk on all Accounts involved.

     You also warrant and represent that you are a duly organized and validly
existing corporation and are qualified in all states where necessary. You agree
to maintain such books and records regarding the Accounts and collections
thereon as we may request, and you agree that they will reflect our interest in
the Accounts and the proceeds thereof. These books and records will be available
to us during reasonable business hours, and you agree to furnish us with such
other information regarding your business affairs and financial condition, all
as we may reasonably request from time to time. You further agree promptly to
notify us of any change in your name, place(s) of business or corporate
structure.

     You agree to comply with all appropriate laws in order to perfect our
interest in the Accounts, and to execute any financing or additional documents
as we may request in order to effectuate the foregoing and to carry out this
Agreement.

     5.  We shall purchase the Accounts for the gross amount of the respective
invoices, less factoring fees or commissions (the "Purchase Price of Accounts").
Our purchase of the Accounts shall be reflected on the Statements of Account
which we shall render to you. We will pay to you, upon execution and delivery of
this Agreement and accompanying documents, a sum equal to eighty per cent (80%)
of the Purchase Price of some Accounts*. However, all amounts owing to us by 
you, including, without limitation, any advances which may be made to you 
prior to collection and any debit balance in your account with us, shall be 
payable to us on demand, but, in any event shall automatically be due and 
payable ninety (90) days from the date of this Agreement.

     For our services hereunder, we shall be entitled to a factoring fee or
commission of two per cent (2%) on the gross face amount of all Accounts but, in
no event, shall such factoring fee or commission be less than $37,500. The
factoring fee or commission shall be due and charged to your account hereunder
upon our purchase of the underlying Account.

     At our request, but not more than twice a month, you agree to furnish us
with a report of collections of the Accounts, the initial report to cover the
period commencing as of this date and ending with collections through the Friday
of the week ending immediately prior to the date of the report, and subsequent
reports to commence as of the ending date of the previous report through the
Friday of the week ending immediately prior to the date of the report. Within
ten (10) business days after the end of each month hereafter, you will furnish
to us an aged accounts receivable trial balance relating to the Accounts, as of
the close of the immediately preceding month, which will include the names and
addresses of all of the customers pertaining to the Accounts.


     Within fifteen (15) days after the close of each month, we shall render to
you a statement of your account with us showing the accountings for our charges
and other transactions between us during that month. Should such statement
indicate any debit balance in your account, the amount thereof shall be 

- ------
*30% of others and 0% on the balance as agreed.

                                      2

<PAGE>

due and payable by you to us promptly upon your receipt of such statement. Our
monthly statement of your account with us shall be deemed correct and binding
upon you and shall constitute an account stated between us, unless we receive a
written statement of your exceptions within thirty (30) days after same is
mailed to you.

     6. You will, in your name for our benefit and on our behalf (but at your
expense), enforce, collect and receive all amounts owing on the Accounts. The
aforesaid privileges shall terminate automatically upon the institution by or
against you of any proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency law, code or
act, or upon the breach by you of any provision of this agreement. Any
out-of-pocket collection, legal or litigation expenses incurred or to be
incurred by you with respect to Accounts at our Credit Risk may be incurred for
our account only if you obtain our prior written consent and approval.

     Any and all checks, cash, notes or other instruments or property received
by you with respect to Accounts shall be held by you in trust for us, separate
from your own property and funds, and turned over to us, no less than once a
week, with proper assignments or endorsements. At our option, this shall be
accomplished either by your depositing same in our bank account(s) at such bank
or banks as we may from time to time designate to you, or by your instructing
all of your customers to remit funds to lock box(es), which lock box(es) shall
be maintained at such bank or banks as are acceptable to us, and which shall be
under our exclusive control. You shall provide us with copies of the deposit
slips for each day's deposits on the next following business day, and on the
first business day of each week, you shall provide us with a report of all
collections for the preceding week, showing the gross amount of such Accounts
and the net amount collected thereon. All amounts received by us in payment of
Accounts will be credited to your account immediately upon our receipt thereof,
however, we shall debit your account monthly with the cost of five (5)
additional business days on all such amounts. No checks, drafts or other
instruments received by us shall constitute final payment to us unless and until
such instruments have actually cleared and been collected. The aforesaid
privilege of collection shall terminate automatically upon the institution by or
against you of any proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency law, act or
code, or upon the breach by you of any provision of this Agreement, or on the
termination of this Agreement. If and when no debit balance exists in your
factoring account with us, all Obligations have been paid in full and no 
further Obligations can arise, you may retain the amounts received in payment of
Accounts unless such amounts pertain to Accounts which have been matured to us
pursuant to Paragraph 9, below.


     We may, at any time, in our discretion, notify any customer that has past 
due Accounts owing on which we bear any of the Credit Risk, of our interest in
the Accounts owing by such customer, instruct such customer to make all payments
thereafter directly to us on all Accounts (whether we bear the Credit Risk or
not), and otherwise deal with such customer directly in your name or our name in
all respects.

     We shall have the right at any time to request verification of balances
owing on any and all Accounts owing from a customer, using your name or ours,
with the responses directed to an address under our exclusive control.

     7. If monies are owing to you from a customer for both Accounts (on which
we bear the Credit Risk) and other accounts receivable (on which we do not bear
the Credit Risk), you agree that any payments or recoveries received in respect
of any such Accounts or accounts receivable may be applied first to the Accounts
(on which we bear the Credit Risk), regardless of any notation or instructions
to the contrary on or accompanying payment items or the due dates of such
Accounts or accounts receivable, and whether such payments were made in the
ordinary course or otherwise.

                                    - 3 -

<PAGE>

    8.  You agree to notify us promptly of any matters affecting the value,
enforceability of collectibility of any Account and of all customer disputes,
offsets, deductions, defenses, counterclaims, returns and rejections. You agree
to issue credit memoranda promptly (with duplicates to us) upon accepting
returns or granting allowances. We shall cooperate and assist you in the
adjustment of any such customer disputes, but we may at any time charge your
account with the amount of (and such charge shall constitute a repurchase of
such items by you from us): (a) each Account with respect to which any alleged
customer dispute, offset, deduction, defense, or counterclaim is asserted or
which is not paid in full at maturity for any reason other than Credit Risk
(including, but not limited to, non-payment due to acts of God, civil strife,
war and the like); (b) any Account as to which there is any breach of any
warranty; and (c) any Account on which you have not made a collection effort
satisfactory to us. You may tender to us Accounts which are satisfactory to us,
in substitution of charged back Accounts. If no such satisfactory Accounts are
tendered you will pay us, on demand, the portion of the purchase price which
pertains to such charged back Accounts. Furthermore, we shall be released from
liability for all Credit Risks if you do not: (x) pay any commissions, interest
or other amounts owing to us pursuant to this Agreement within fifteen (15) days
of the due date thereof; or (y) provide us with any aged trial balance or
collection report within fifteen (15) days of the date on which it is to be
delivered to us pursuant to paragraph 5 above.

    9.  You agree to submit to us your written request for adjustment of past
due receivables asking us to mature invoices at our Credit Risk no later than
ninety (90) days after the longest maturity date of the invoice. The amount of
Net Sales for any Account at our Credit Risk and as to which you have duly given
us such a written request and which remains unpaid at its maturity (based on its
longest optional terms) solely due to Credit Risk, will be deemed collected and
will be credited to your account with us as of the earlier of the following

dates:

                   (a)  as of the date of the Account's longest maturity, if
         such customer makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or
         calls a formal meeting of its creditors; or if any proceeding or 
         petition is instituted or filed by or against such customer for 
         relief under any federal or state bankruptcy or insolvency law, act 
         or code; or if a receiver or trustee is appointed for all of the 
         assets of the customer; or

                   (b)  as of the last day of the third month following its
         longest maturity date, if such Account remains unpaid as of said date 
         without the happening of any of the events specified in (a) 
         hereinabove.

As to all such Accounts which you are maturing, you shall furnish us with an
assignment in form acceptable to us, true copies of the invoices, the original
proofs of delivery, a written report of the efforts made by you to effect
collection thereof and confirmation of your prior notification to us of a
collectibility problem, pursuant to paragraph 8 hereof. Should it subsequently
be determined that any such Account remained unpaid due to any reason other than
Credit Risk, we shall have the right to reverse said credit and to charge your 
account accordingly.

     10.  We shall have the right to bring suit, in your name or ours, and
generally shall have all other rights respecting Accounts which are past due,
including without limitation the right to: accelerate or extend the time of
payment, settle, compromise, release in whole or in part any amounts owing on
any Accounts and issue credits in your name or ours. We may endorse or sign 
your name or ours on any checks or other instruments with respect to Accounts or
the goods covered thereby. Any and all returned, reclaimed or repossessed 
inventory and goods relating to Accounts shall be set aside by you, marked with

                                    - 4 -

<PAGE>

our name and held by you in trust for us as owner, and for our account. Further,
you shall promptly notify us of the receipt of all such inventory and goods and,
at our direction, deliver the same to us or sell the same for our account and
remit the full proceeds to us.

     You agree to make your records, files and books of account available to us
on request, and to allow us to visit your premises during normal business hours
to examine such records, files and books of account and to make copies or
extracts thereof, and to allow us to conduct such examinations as we deem
reasonably necessary. We shall be entitled to charge your account the sum of
$750 per day for each examiner involved in such examination.

     11. Interest on any debit balance in your account with us (including the
advance of the purchase price as set forth above) shall be calculated at the
rate of ten percent (10%) per annum, based on the eight and one-half percent
(8.5%) per annum "Chase Rate" as of November 1, 1997. The Chase Rate is the rate
of interest publicly announced by The Chase Manhattan Bank in New York, New York

from time to time as its Prime Rate. (The Prime Rate is not intended to be the
lowest rate of interest charged by The Chase Manhattan Bank to its borrowers.)
In the event of any change in the aforesaid Chase Rate, the rate of interest
hereunder shall change 1/4 of 1% for each 1/4 of 1% change in the Chase
Rate, as of the first of the month following any such change. Interest shall be
calculated based on a 360 day year.

     12. We have mutually agreed to charge you a reasonable facility
initialization and documentation fee (legal) of not more that $7,500 for the
initial setup and implementation of your account with us. This facility 
initialization fee shall be in addition to any other fees or commissions under
this Agreement, and shall be charged to your account as of the date hereof.

     13. In addition to the sale of Accounts hereunder, and without the 
necessity of any further formality, writing or evidence, you hereby transfer and
assign to us and grant us a security interest in all of your right, title and
interest in and to all of your now existing and future: (a) accounts receivable
(whether or not the same constitute Accounts purchased by us hereunder),
together with related instruments, documents, chattel paper, general
intangibles, and any and all other forms of obligations, related to the accounts
receivable, owing to you; (b) unpaid seller's rights relating to any of the
foregoing or arising therefrom;  (c) rights to any goods represented by any of
the foregoing; (d) reserves and credit balances arising hereunder; (e)
guarantees for any of the foregoing (including, without limitation, rights under
any letters of credit or other credit enhancements in your favor); (f) rights
relating to any of the foregoing; (g) cash and non-cash proceeds of any and all
of the foregoing; and (i) Books and Records (as defined above in paragraph 10)
evidencing or pertaining to any of the foregoing. (It is understood that we
shall have no obligation to perform in any respect, any contracts relating to
any Accounts.)

You shall comply with the requirements of all applicable laws to perfect our
security interest in collateral granted to us hereunder, and execute such
financing statements and other documents as we may require to effectuate the
foregoing and implement this Agreement. To the extent permitted by applicable
law, you hereby authorize us to sign your name on your behalf on financing
statements covering the collateral and to file financing statements without your
signature in order to perfect or maintain our security interest in the
collateral. The security interest granted herein will terminate if and when no
debit balance exists in your factoring account with us, all Obligations have
been paid in full and no further Obligations can arise.

     14. The security interest granted hereunder, and any lien or security
interest that we may have in any of your other assets or property, shall secure
the payment and performance of all of your now existing and future indebtedness
and obligations to us, whether absolute or contingent, and whether arising
hereunder or

                                     -5-


<PAGE>

under any other agreement or arrangement between us, or by operation of law or

otherwise, including, without limitation, indebtedness for goods and services
purchased by you from any party whose accounts receivable are factored or
financed by us, and indebtedness arising under any guaranty, credit enhancement
or other credit support executed by you in our favor (herein "Obligations"). Any
reserves or balances to your credit and any other property or assets of yours in
our possession shall constitute security for any and all Obligations. We may, in
our discretion, debit your account at any time with the amount of any and all
Obligations.

     15. An "Event of Default" shall be deemed to have occurred under this
Agreement upon: (a) the cessation of your business or the calling of a meeting
of your creditors; (b) your failure to meet your debts as they mature; (c) the
commencement by or against you of any bankruptcy, insolvency, arrangement,
reorganization, receivership or similar proceedings under any federal or state
law; (d) breach by you of any representation, warranty or covenant contained
herein; or (e) your failure to pay any Obligation when due.

     Upon and after the occurrence of an Event of Default, this Agreement may be
terminated by us immediately at any time, without notice to you, and all
Obligations shall, at our option and without notice or demand of any kind (all
of which you hereby expressly waive), become due and payable immediately.
Further, we may remove, from any premises where the same may be located, any and
all documents, instruments, Books and Records (and any receptacles or cabinets
containing the same) pertaining to the Accounts or other collateral hereunder
and/or we may use (at your expense) such of your personnel, supplies and space
at your place of business or elsewhere, as may be necessary to properly
administer and enforce our rights in the Accounts and any other collateral
hereunder, and to facilitate the collection thereof and realization thereon. We
may sell, assign or otherwise dispose of any returned, reclaimed or repossessed
inventory, goods or other property relating thereto, whether held by you or by
us, at public or private sale, for cash, on credit or otherwise, at such price
and on such terms as we in our sole option and discretion may determine, and we
may bid or become purchasers at any such sale, or acquire an interest in or
dispose of said property. You hereby acknowledge that you have no right to
notice, or to an accounting or right of redemption with respect to any such sale
or other disposition of the aforesaid Accounts or aforesaid goods. With respect
to any other property or collateral in which we have a security interest, we
shall have all of the rights and remedies of a secured party under Article 9 of
the Uniform Commercial Code. If notice of intended disposition of any of said
property or collateral is required by law, it is agreed that five (5) days
notice shall constitute reasonable notice. The net cash proceeds resulting from
the exercise of any of the foregoing rights, after deducting all charges, costs
and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) shall be applied by us to
the payment or satisfaction of the Obligations, whether due or to become due, in
such order as we may elect, and you shall remain liable to us for any
deficiencies.

     16. This constitutes the entire agreement between us; supersedes any prior
oral or written agreements or understandings; can be changed only by a writing
signed by both of us; and shall bind and benefit each of us and our respective
successors and assigns. Our failure or delay to exercise any right hereunder
shall not constitute a waiver thereof, nor bar us from exercising any of our
rights at any time; nor shall any course of dealing between us change or modify
this Agreement. The validity, interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement

shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

          [THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

                                    - 6 -


<PAGE>

 17. We each hereby waive any right to a trial by jury in any action or
proceeding arising out of this arrangement, or any other agreement or
transactions between us.

 If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please so
indicate by signing and returning to us the original and one copy of this
Agreement. This Agreement shall take effect as of the date set forth above,
after being accepted below by one of our officers in New York, N.Y., after
which, we shall forward your copy to you with signatures completed for your
files.

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       THE CIT GROUP/COMMERCIAL SERVICES, INC.


                                       By  /s/ Terry S. Schwartz
                                          ----------------------------------
                                            Name:  Terry S. Schwartz
                                            Title: Vice President

Read and Agreed to:

GIRGENTI, HUGHES,
BUTLER & McDOWELL, INC.

By /s/ George Lefeber
   -----------------------------
    Name:  George Lefeber
    Title: Vice President of Finance


                                       Accepted at New York, N.Y.

                                       THE CIT GROUP/COMMERCIAL SERVICES, INC.


                                       By /s/ Anthony F. Lombardi
                                          ----------------------------------
                                            Name:  Anthony F. Lombardi
                                            Title: Senior Vice President



<PAGE>
                                                  Date         November 11, 1997

To: THE CIT GROUP/COMMERCIAL SERVICES, INC.
    1211 Avenue of the Americas
    New York, New York 10036

                                                                        GUARANTY

Re: GIRGENTI, HUGHES, BUTLER & McDOWELL, INC.
    (the "Client")
    100 Avenue of the Americas
    New York, New York 10013-1687


Gentlemen:

     Reference is made to certain factoring or financing agreements or
arrangements (herein the "Agreements") between you and the above-named Client.
Each of the undersigned hereby unconditionally jointly and severally guarantees
and agrees to be liable for the full and indefeasible payment and performance
when due of all now existing and future indebtedness, obligations or liabilities
of the Client to you, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent,
secured or unsecured, arising under the Agreements as now written or as amended
or supplemented hereafter. Further, each of the undersigned agrees to pay to you
on demand the amount of all expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees)
incurred by you in collecting or attempting to collect any of the Client's
obligations to you, whether from the Client, or from any other obligor, or from
the undersigned, or in realizing upon any collateral; and agrees to pay any
interest at the highest lawful rate on all amounts payable to you hereunder,
even if such amount cannot be collected from the Client. (All of the
aforementioned obligations, liabilities, expenses and interest are hereinafter
collectively called the "Obligations"). To the extent you receive payment on
account of the Obligations guaranteed hereby, which payment is thereafter set
aside or required to be repaid by you in whole or in part, then, to the extent
of any sum not finally retained by you (regardless of whether such sum is
recovered from you by the Client, its trustee, or any other party acting for, on
behalf of or through the Client or its representative), the undersigned's
obligation to you under this Guaranty, as amended, modified or supplemented,
shall remain in full force and effect (or be reinstated) until the undersigned
have made payment to you therefor, which payment shall be due upon demand.

     This Guaranty is executed as an inducement to you to make loans or advances
to the Client or otherwise to extend credit or financial accommodations to the
Client, or to enter into or continue a factoring or financing arrangement with
the Client, and is executed in consideration of your doing or having done any of
the foregoing. Each of the undersigned agrees that any of the foregoing shall be
done or extended by you in your sole discretion, and shall be deemed to have
been done or extended by you in consideration of and in reliance upon the
execution of this Guaranty, but that nothing herein shall obligate you to do any
of the foregoing.

     Notice of acceptance of this Guaranty, the making of loans or advances, or
the extension of credit to the Client, the purchase or acquisition of

receivables from the Client, the amendment, execution or termination of any of
the Agreements or any other agreements between you and the Client, and
presentment, demand, protest, notice of protest, notice of non-payment and all
other notices to which the Client or the undersigned may be entitled, and your
reliance on this Guaranty are hereby waived. The undersigned also waive notice
of: changes in terms or extensions of time of payment, the taking and releasing
of collateral or guarantees (including the release of any of the undersigned)
and the settlement, compromise or release of any Obligations, and agree that, as
to each of the undersigned, the amount of the Obligations shall not be
diminished by any of the foregoing. The undersigned also agree that you need not
attempt to collect any Obligations from the Client or other obligors or to
realize upon any collateral, but may require the undersigned to make immediate
payment of Obligations to you when due or at any time thereafter. You shall not
be liable for failure to collect Obligations or to realize upon any collateral
or security therefor, or any part thereof, or for any delay in so doing, nor
shall you be under any obligation to take any action whatsoever with regard
thereto.




<PAGE>

                                      -2-


     This Guaranty is absolute, unconditional and continuing, regardless of the
validity, regularity or enforceability of any of the Obligations or the fact
that a security interest or lien in any collateral or security therefor may not
be enforceable by you or may otherwise be subject to equities or defenses or
prior claims in favor of others or may be invalid or defective in any way and
for any reason, including any action, or failure to act, on your part. The
liability of the undersigned under this Guaranty shall be unaffected by the
death of any of the undersigned. Payment by the undersigned shall be made to you
at your office from time to time on demand as Obligations become due, and one or
more successive or concurrent actions may be brought hereon against the
undersigned (or any one or more of them) either in the same action in which the
Client is sued or in separate actions. In the event any claim or action, or
action on any judgment, based on this Guaranty, is made or brought against the
undersigned, the undersigned agree not to assert against you any set-off or
counterclaim which the Client may have, and further the undersigned agree not to
deduct, set-off, or seek to counterclaim for or recoup, any amounts which are or
may be owed by you to the undersigned, or for any loss of contribution from any
other guarantor. Furthermore, in any litigation based on the Guaranty in which
you and any of the undersigned shall be adverse parties, the undersigned hereby
waive the right to interpose any defense based upon any Statute of Limitations
or any claim of laches and waive the performance of each and every condition
precedent to which the undersigned might otherwise be entitled by law. Each of
the undersigned hereby consent to the in personam jurisdiction of the courts of
New York State. In the event that you bring any action or suit in any court of
record of New York State or the Federal Government to enforce any or all
liabilities of the undersigned hereunder, service of process may be made on the
undersigned by mailing a copy of the summons to the undersigned at the address
below set forth.


          All sums at any time to the credit of the undersigned and any property
of the undersigned on which you at any time have a lien or security interest, or
of which you at any time have possession, shall secure payment and performance
of all Obligations and any and all other obligations of the undersigned to you
however arising. The undersigned shall have no right of subrogation,
indemnification or recourse to any Obligations or collateral or guarantees
therefor, or to any assets of the Client.

     In the event of any breach of, default under or termination of any of the
Agreements between you and the Client, or in the event that the undersigned
shall fail to observe or perform any agreements, warranties, or covenants
contained herein, or should any of the undersigned dissolve or cease its
business, call a meeting of its creditors, fail to meet its debts as they
mature, commit an act of bankruptcy, have commenced by or against the
undersigned any bankruptcy, insolvency, arrangement, reorganization,
receivership or similar proceeding under any federal or state law, then the
liability of all of the undersigned for the entire Obligations shall mature even
if the liability of the Client therefor does not.

     This Guaranty will terminate at such time as the Obligations have been paid
in full.

     Your books and records showing the account between you and the Client shall
be admissible in evidence in any action or proceeding as prima facie proof of
the items therein set forth. Your monthly statements rendered to the Client
shall be binding upon the undersigned (whether or not the undersigned received
copies thereof) and, shall constitute an account stated between you and the
Client, unless you shall have received a written statement of the Client's
exceptions within thirty (30) days after the statement was mailed to the Client.

     This Guaranty embodies the whole agreement of the parties and may not be
modified except in writing, and no course of dealing between you and any of the
undersigned shall be effective to change or modify this Guaranty. Your failure
to exercise any right hereunder shall not be construed as a waiver of the right
to exercise the same or any other right at any other time and from time to time
thereafter, and such rights shall be considered as cumulative rather than
alternative. No knowledge of any breach or other nonobservance by any of the
undersigned of the terms and provisions of this Guaranty shall constitute a
waiver thereof, nor a waiver of any obligations to be performed by the
undersigned hereunder.

     This instrument is executed and given in addition to, and not in
substitution, reduction, replacement or satisfaction of any other endorsements
or guarantees of the Obligations, now existing or hereafter executed, by any or
all of the undersigned, or others in your favor.

     When used in this agreement all pronouns shall, wherever applicable, be
deemed to include the plural as well as the masculine and feminine gender. This
agreement shall inure to the benefit of you, your successors and assigns and any
parent, subsidiary or affiliate of yours, as well as to any




<PAGE>



                                      -3-



concern which you may now or hereafter factor or finance; shall be binding
jointly and severally upon the undersigned and upon the respective heirs,
executors, administrators, successors and assigns of each of the undersigned;
and shall pertain to the Client and its successors and assigns. This Guaranty
may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed
shall be deemed an original and such counterparts shall, together, constitute
but one and the same document.

     To the extent permitted by applicable law, we each hereby waive any right
to a trial by jury in any action or proceeding arising directly or indirectly
out of this Guaranty, or any other agreement or transaction between us or to
which we are both parties.

     This Guaranty shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of New York. 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed and delivered this
Guaranty effective as of the date above set forth.




                                        BLACK CAT GRAPHICS, INC.                
                                        
                                        By /s/ GEORGE LEFEBER
                                           ---------------------------------
                                        Name:  GEORGE LEFEBER
                                        Title: VP OF FINANCE
                                        
                                        MEDICAL EDUCATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
                                        
                                        By /s/ GEORGE LEFEBER
                                           ---------------------------------
                                        Name:  GEORGE LEFEBER
                                        Title: VP OF FINANCE
                                        
                                        
                                        SYBERACTIVE, INC.
                                        
                                        
                                        By /s/ GEORGE LEFEBER
                                           ---------------------------------
                                        Name:  GEORGE LEFEBER
                                        Title: VP OF FINANCE
                                        
                                        

                                        BRAND RESEARCH CORPORATION
                                        
                                        
                                        By /s/ GEORGE LEFEBER
                                           ---------------------------------
                                        Name:  GEORGE LEFEBER
                                        Title: VP OF FINANCE
                                        
                                        HEALTHWORLD CORPORATION
                                        
                                        By /s/ GEORGE LEFEBER
                                           ---------------------------------
                                        Name:  GEORGE LEFEBER
                                        Title: VP OF FINANCE
                                        
                                        Each of the undersigned are located at:
                                        100 Avenue of the Americas
                                        New York, New York 10013-1687



<PAGE>
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our
report of the combined financial statements of Girgenti, Hughes, Butler &
McDowell, Inc. and Affiliates, dated January 24, 1997 (except with respect to
the matters discussed in Note 9 as to which the date is November 12, 1997), our
report of the consolidated financial statements of Milton Marketing Group
Limited and Subsidiaries, dated January 27, 1997 (except with respect to the
matters discussed in Note 11 as to which the date is November 12, 1997), and our
report of the financial statements of Healthworld Corporation, dated October 13,
1997 (except with respect to the matters discussed in Note 1 as to which the
date is November 12, 1997), and to all references to our Firm included in or
made a part of this registration statement.
 
                                                         ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
   
Melville, New York
November 18, 1997
    



© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission