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.