The Board of Directors of Sanoma-WSOY Oyj which will become operative on 1 May 1999 has today appointed Mr. Jaakko Rauramo as President and CEO of the company and Mr. Antero Siljola as his deputy.

Also the following persons were appointed as members of Sanoma-WSOY's management team: Mr. Aarno Heinonen, responsible for finance and administration, Mr. Nils Ittonen, investment, Ms. Kerstin Rinne, legal affairs and planning.

The Board of Directors of Sanoma-WSOY further confirmed that Mr. Seppo Kievari will be appointed President of the new Sanoma Corporation.

Sanoma-WSOY's management team will include besides the above persons also Mr. Tapio Kallioja, President of Helsinki Media Group, and Mr. Hannu Syrjänen, President of Rautakirja Oyj.

Mr. Martti Ojares will be appointed deputy to Mr. Seppo Kievari, President of the new Sanoma Corporation; Ms. Eija Ailasmaa will be appointed deputy to Mr. Tapio Kallioja, President of Helsinki Media Corporation and Mr. Jorma Kaimio will be appointed deputy to Mr. Antero Siljola, President and CEO of Werner Söderström Corporation - WSOY.

Werner Söderström Oyj - WSOY, Sanoma Corporation, Helsinki Media Group and Oy Devarda Ab will merge, founding a new receiving Company called Sanoma-WSOY Oyj. The merger will come into effect on 1 May 1999.

Werner Söderström Oyj - WSOY

Antero Siljola President and CEO

Distribution: HEX Helsinki Stock Exchange, principal media