London - Publisher Reed Elsevier (NYSE: RUK) has announced plans to sell off its Reed Business Information (RBI) unit, whose holdings include Variety, New Scientist, Publishers Weekly and Broadcasting & Cable. "RBI is a well-managed high quality business as evidenced by the success of its online growth and the control of costs. Its advertising revenue model and the inherent cyclicality fit less well however with the subscription-based information and workflow solutions focus of Reed Elsevier's strategy," said Reed Elsevier CEO Sir Crispin Davis.

Davis further told Reuters that the company is not in talks with any potential suitors, adding that a sale of RBI could take some time, given current market conditions.

Separately, Reed Elsevier on Thursday announced that it has acquired ChoicePoint, a provider of technology and information-based risk mitigation products in the U.S., for $4.1 billion.

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http://www.reedbusiness.com/index.html