The Thomson Corporation [LOGO OMITTED]
Toronto Dominion Bank Tower, Suite 2706
PO Box 24, Toronto-Dominion Centre
Toronto, Ontario M5K 1A1
Tel (416) 360-8700 Fax (416) 360-8812
www.thomson.com
News Release
Investor Contact: Media Contact:
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John Kechejian Janey Loyd
Vice President, Investor Relations Vice President, Corporate Communications
(203) 969-8700 (203) 969-8700
[email protected] [email protected]
Jason Stewart
Director, Public Relations
(203) 969-8700
[email protected]
For Immediate Release
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THE THOMSON CORPORATION EXTENDS
EQUITY AND DEBT TENDER OFFERS FOR PRIMARK
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TORONTO, ONTARIO, August 30, 2000 - The Thomson Corporation (TSE:
TOC) announced today that Marquee Acquisition Corporation ("Marquee"), a wholly
owned subsidiary of Thomson, is extending its offer to acquire all outstanding
shares of common stock of Primark Corporation until Tuesday, September 12, 2000
at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). In accordance with the terms of the
Offer to Purchase, dated June 14, 2000, Marquee is extending the offer to allow
the satisfaction of certain closing conditions. The offer to acquire the common
stock of Primark was previously scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m. EDT on
Wednesday, August 30, 2000.
In addition, Thomson announced that Marquee is extending its offer
to acquire all of the outstanding Primark 9 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due
2008 (the "Notes") until Wednesday, September 13, 2000 at 5:00 p.m. EDT. The
offer to acquire the Notes was previously scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m. EDT
on Thursday, August 31, 2000.
Based on the latest count of tendered shares and Notes, as of 5:00
p.m. EDT on August 28, 2000, 16,111,076 shares of Primark common stock
(constituting approximately 79% of the outstanding common stock) had been
tendered and not withdrawn, and approximately US$149.9 million in the aggregate
principal amount of the Notes (constituting just over 99.9% of the outstanding
Notes) had been tendered and not withdrawn.
The tender offer for the Primark common stock is being made
through, and the foregoing announcement is qualified in its entirety by
reference to, Marquee's Offer to Purchase dated June 14, 2000, and the related
letter of transmittal. The tender offer for the Notes is being made through, and
the foregoing announcement is qualified in its entirety by reference to,
Marquee's Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement dated June 22,
2000, and the related letter of transmittal. Primark stockholders and
noteholders should read the applicable Offer to Purchase and related letter of
transmittal in their entirety prior to making any decision as to the respective
tender offers.
-more-
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The Thomson Corporation Extends
Equity and Debt Tender Offers for Primark
The Thomson Corporation (www.thomson.com), with 1999 revenues of
US$5.8 billion, is a leading, global e-information and solutions company in the
business and professional marketplace. Thomson's common shares are listed on the
Toronto and London Stock Exchanges.
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