RNS Number:8440I
NewMedia SPARK PLC
18 March 2003



NewMedia SPARK plc ("Spark") announces that following recent discussions it has
become apparent that any bid for Spark by Collins Stewart Holdings plc ("Collins
Stewart") would not be at a level which the Board of Spark would feel able to
recommend to Spark shareholders. Consequently, it has been mutually agreed that
discussions should be terminated.  Spark also confirms that there are currently
no other discussions taking place concerning an offer.



Spark's German subsidiary Spuetz AG last week sold its entire residual
shareholding in Collins Stewart for a consideration of approximately #11m. When
added to the #11m cash proceeds from Spuetz's earlier acceptance of the cash
element of Collins Stewart's bid for Tullett plc (in which Spuetz held an 11%
stake), this means that the Spark Group's cash balances have now risen
substantially from the #31.4m shown in its September interim balance sheet.



Spark remains confident in the longer-term potential of its venture capital
portfolio, justified by several recent contract wins by portfolio companies.
Despite difficult market conditions, Spark will continue to work to maximize
this potential. Following the cessation of talks with Collins Stewart, Spark
will also work to overcome the technical obstacles to buying back its own shares
which were referred to in Spark's recent interim results announcement. The Board
of Spark continues to believe that the implementation of a share buy-back
programme would be a prudent and sensible use of part of the Spark Group's
substantial cash balances if the Spark share price remains at a substantial
discount to net asset value per share.






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