Information publisher Reed Elsevier’s (NYSE: RUK) business unit forecasts it will have grown online revenue 25 to 30 percent over 2007, and aims to double the existing numbers to $1 billion by 2010, CEO Gerard van de Aast told Der Telegraaf (via Reuters). Part of the growth is planned to come from the roll-out of its TotalJobs recruitment sites around Europe, starting in Germany. The London-based jobs network, currently the UK’s number-two jobs site, had 1.8 million monthly users at its last ABCe returns in March (currently 1.2 million monthly, comScore (NSDQ: SCOR) says) and has expanded to include several industry-specific sites. Reed Business publishes over 80 magazines and 55 websites including Variety and New Scientist.
It’s all peaches and cream, though – van de Aast confessed signals for next year are “a bit confusing” and he expressed uncertainty on how the ad market will play out thanks to the developing situation on the financial markets, primarily across the Atlantic: “The economic conditions in the world will have an impact on our growth, which could possibly be a bit lower next year.” Reed Business’ exhibitions business – including Midem, Mipcom and MipTV – could also be affected because fewer Americans may make the trip to Cannes, the story says. But exhibitions revenue growth is due to be 10 percent. Reed’s full ’07 financials are due February 21.