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John Wiley & Sons Inc.

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FY1998 Annual Report · John Wiley & Sons Inc.
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WILEY JOHN & SONS INC

FORM 10-K 
(Annual Report) 

Filed 7/10/1998 For Period Ending 4/30/1998

Address

111 RIVER STREET

HOBOKEN, New Jersey 07030

Telephone

CIK

Industry

Sector

Fiscal Year

201-748-6000 

0000107140

Printing & Publishing

Services

04/30

 
 
FORM 10-K  

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION  

Washington, DC 20549  

[x] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF  
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934  

For the fiscal year ended: April, 30, 1998  

OR  

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE  
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (FEE REQUIRED)  

For the transition period from to  
Commission file number 1-11507  

JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.  

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)  

NEW YORK                                               13-5593032 
-------------------------------                  ------------------------------- 
State or other jurisdiction of                         I.R.S. Employer 
incorporation or organization                          Identification No. 
605 Third Avenue, New York, NY                         10158-0012 
-------------------------------                  ------------------------------- 
Address of principal executive offices                 Zip Code 

Registrant's telephone number                          (212) 850-6000 
including area code 
                                                 ------------------------------- 

Securities registered pursuant to 
Section 12(b) of the Act: 

Title of each class                               Name of each exchange on which 
                                                  registered 
-------------------------------                   ------------------------------ 
Class A Common Stock,                             New York Stock Exchange 
par value $1.00 per share 

Class B Common Stock,                             New York Stock Exchange 
par value $1.00 per share 

Securities registered pursuant                    None 
to Section 12(g) of the Act: 
None 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act 
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been 
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No  

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to  

Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or 
information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K  

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's Class A and Class B Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share as of May 31, 1998, was 
12,916,657 and 3,085,158 respectively, and the aggregate market value of such shares of Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the 
Registrant as of such date was $663,476,279 based upon the closing market price of the Class A and Class B Common Stock.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE  

The Registrant's Definitive proxy Statement to be filed with the Commission on or about August 7, 1998 for the Annual Meeting of 
Shareholders to be held on September 17, 1998, (the "1998 Proxy Statement") is, to the extent noted below, incorporated by reference in Part 
III.  

Item 1. Business  

PART I  

The Company is a New York corporation incorporated on January 15, 1904. (As used herein the term "Company" means John Wiley & Sons, 
Inc., and its subsidiaries and affiliated companies, unless the context indicates otherwise).  

The Company operates in one business segment, namely publishing, which develops, produces, markets and services products in print and 
electronic formats including journals and other subscription-based products, professional and reference works, consumer books and textbooks, 
for the scientific, technical, professional, trade and educational markets in the United States and internationally.  

Journal publications are primarily in the scientific and technical, and biomedical research areas. Book publications are primarily in the areas of 
pure and applied science, engineering, architecture, the social sciences, biomedicine, accounting, computer science, business and culinary arts 
and hospitality. Professional and reference books, encyclopedias, dictionaries, and periodicals are intended primarily for practicing and 
research professionals and for libraries, while textbooks are produced primarily for use in formal instruction in the college and university 
markets, as well as the secondary school market in Australia. Some of these, as well as nonfiction consumer publications, are also marketed to 
the general public. In addition, the Company markets and distributes books from other publishers. The Company also develops and markets 
electronic versions of certain of its print products, as well as computer software and electronic data bases for educational use and professional 
research and training.  

In fiscal 1998, the Company sold its domestic law publishing program for $26.5 million, and reinvested the proceeds by acquiring the 
publishing assets of Van Nostrand Reinhold (VNR) for $28.5 million in cash. The domestic law program had limited potential for the 
Company. VNR reinforces the Company's strong position in four core subject areas: architecture/design, environmental/industrial science, 
culinary arts/hospitality, and business technology.  

In fiscal 1997, the Company acquired a 90% interest in the German based VCH Publishing Group (VCH) for approximately $99 million in 
cash. VCH is a leading scientific, technical, and professional publisher of journals and books in such disciplines as chemistry, architecture and 
civil engineering.  

The Company is on the Internet with a World Wide Web site located at http://www.wiley.com.  

Publishing Operations  

The Company publishes approximately 460 journals and other subscription-based products, which accounted for approximately 37% of the 
Company's fiscal 1998 revenues. Most journals are owned by the Company, in which case they may or may not be sponsored by a professional 
society. Some are owned by such societies and published by the Company under an agreement. Societies which sponsor or own such journals 
generally receive a royalty and/or other consideration which varies with the nature of the relationship. The Company usually enters into 
agreements with the editors of journals which state the duties of the editors, and the fees and expenses for their services. Contributors of journal 
articles transfer publication rights to the Company or professional society, as applicable.  

Journal subscriptions result primarily from direct mail and other advertising and promotional campaigns, renewals which are solicited annually 
either directly or by companies commonly referred to as independent subscription agents, and memberships in the professional societies for 
those journals that are sponsored by such societies. Journals are generally mailed to subscribers directly from independent printers.  

Materials for book publications are obtained from authors throughout most of the world through the efforts of an editorial staff, outside 
editorial advisors, and advisory boards. Most materials originate with their authors, but many are prepared as a result of suggestions or 
solicitations by editors or advisors. The Company usually enters into agreements with authors which state the terms and conditions under which 
the respective authors' materials will be published and under which other related rights may be exercised, the name in which the copyright will 
be registered, the basis for any royalties, and other matters. Most of the authors are compensated by royalties which vary with the nature of the 
product and its anticipated sales potential. In general, royalties for textbooks and consumer books are higher than royalties for research and 
reference works. The Company makes advances against future royalties to authors of certain of its publications. The Company continues to add 
new titles, revise existing titles, and discontinue the sale of others in the normal course of its business. The Company's general practice is to 
revise its basic textbooks every three to five years, if warranted, and to revise other titles as appropriate. Subscription-based products, other 
than journals, are updated more frequently on a regular schedule. Approximately 36% of the Company's fiscal 1998 domestic book publishing 
revenues were from titles published or revised in that fiscal year.  

Professional and consumer book sales consist of sales to trade bookstores serving the general public, to wholesalers who supply such 
bookstores, to certain college bookstores for their non-textbook requirements, to individual professional practitioners, and to research 
institutions, jobbers, libraries (including public, professional, academic, and other special libraries), industrial organizations, and governmental 
agencies. The Company employs sales representatives who call upon independent bookstores, along with national and regional chain 
bookstores, wholesalers and jobbers. Trade sales to bookstores, wholesalers and jobbers are generally made on a fully returnable basis. Sales of 
professional and consumer books also result from direct mail campaigns, telemarketing, on-line access, and advertising and reviews in 
periodicals. The mailings and advertising are intended to promote sales through bookstores and jobbers, as well as to solicit sales directly.  

Adopted textbooks (i.e., textbooks prescribed for course use) are sold primarily to bookstores serving educational institutions in the United 
States (i.e., college bookstores). The Company employs sales representatives who call on faculty members responsible for selecting books to be 
used in courses, and on the bookstores which serve such institutions and their students. Textbook sales are generally made on a fully returnable 
basis. The textbook business is seasonal with the majority of textbook sales occurring during June through August and November through 
January. Significant amounts of inventory are acquired prior to those periods in order to meet customer delivery requirements. There is an 
active used textbook market which negatively affects the sales of new textbooks.  

The Company performs marketing and distribution services for other publishers under agency arrangements. It also engages in co-publishing of 
titles with foreign publishers and in publication of adaptations of works from other publishers for particular markets. The Company also 
receives licensing revenues from photocopies and electronic uses and reproductions of journal articles and other materials.  

Like most other publishers, the Company generally contracts with independent printers and binderies for their services. The Company 
purchases its paper from independent suppliers and printers. Paper prices continued to decline during fiscal 1998. The Company believes that 
adequate printing and binding facilities, and sources of paper and other required materials are available to it, and that it is not dependent upon 
any single supplier. Book products are distributed from Company operated warehouses.  

The Company produces electronic versions of some of its products including software, video, CD-ROM, and through on-line services. The 
Company believes that the demand for new electronic technology products will increase. Accordingly, to properly service its customers and to 
remain competitive, the Company anticipates it will be necessary to increase its expenditures related to such new technologies over the next 
several years, including distribution of virtually all the Company's journals as full-text electronic files over the Internet.  

The Company's publishing business is not dependent upon a single customer, the loss of whom could have a material adverse effect. The 
journal subscription business is primarily sourced through independent subscription agents who facilitate the journal ordering process by 
consolidating the subscription orders/billings of each subscriber with various publishers. Monies are collected in advance from subscribers by 
the subscription agents and are remitted to the journal publishers, including the Company, generally prior to the commencement of the 
subscriptions. Although at fiscal year-end, the Company had minimal credit risk exposure to these agents, future calendar year subscription 
receipts from these agents are highly dependent on their financial position and liquidity. Subscription agents account for approximately 26% of 
total consolidated revenues and no one agent accounts for more than 6% of total consolidated revenues. The book publishing business has 
witnessed a significant concentration in national and regional bookstore chains in recent years, however, no one customer accounts for more 
than 5% of total consolidated revenues.  

International Operations  

The Company's publications are sold throughout most of the world through subsidiaries located in Europe, Canada, Australia, and Asia, or 
through agents, or directly from the United States. These subsidiaries market their own indigenous publications, as well as publications 
produced by the domestic operations and other subsidiaries and affiliates. The Export Sales Department in the United States markets the 
Company's publications through agents as well as foreign sales representatives in countries not served by a foreign subsidiary. John Wiley & 
Sons International Rights, Inc. sells foreign reprint and translations rights. The Company publishes, or licenses others to publish, its products 
which are distributed throughout the world in 35 foreign languages. Approximately 47% of the Company's fiscal 1998 revenues were derived 
from non-U.S. markets.  

Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks, and Environment  

Substantially all of the Company's publications are protected by copyright, either in its own name, in the name of the author of the work, or in 
the name of the sponsoring professional society. Such copyrights protect the Company's exclusive right to publish the work in the United States 
and in many countries abroad for specified periods: in most cases the author's life plus 50 years, but in any event a minimum of 28 years for 
works published prior to 1978 and 35 years for works published thereafter.  

The Company does not own any other material patents, franchises, or concessions, but does have registered trademarks and service marks in 
connection with its publishing businesses. The Company's operations are generally not affected by environmental legislation.  

Competition Within the Publishing Industry  

The sectors of the publishing industry in which the Company is engaged are highly competitive. The principal competitive criteria for the 
publishing industry are believed to be product quality, suitability of format and subject matter, author reputation, price, timely availability of 
both new titles and revisions of existing texts, on-line availability of journal and other published information and, for textbooks and certain 
trade books, timely delivery of products to retail outlets. Recent years have seen a consolidation trend within the publishing industry, including 
several publishing companies having been acquired by larger publishers and other companies.  

Based upon currently available industry statistics, the Company believes that of books published and sold in the United States, it accounts for 
approximately 3% of the total sales of such university and college textbooks, and approximately 3% of the total sales of such professional 
books.  

The Company knows of no reliable industry statistics which would enable it to determine its share of the various foreign markets in which it 
operates. The Company believes that the percentage of its total book publishing sales in markets outside the United States is higher than that of 
most of the United States publishers. The Company also believes it is in the top rank of publishers of scientific and technical journals 
worldwide, as well as the leading commercial chemistry publisher at the research level, and one of the four largest publishers of university and 
college textbooks for the "hardside" disciplines, i.e. engineering, sciences and mathematics.  

Employees  

As of April 30, 1998, the Company employed approximately 2,100 persons on a full-time basis worldwide, none of whom are unionized. 
Management considers relations with its employees to be generally satisfactory.  

Financial Information About Industry Segments  

The note entitled "Segment Information" of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements listed in the attached index is incorporated herein 
by reference.  

Financial Information about Foreign and  
Domestic Operations and Export Sales  

The note entitled "Segment Information" of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements listed in the attached index is incorporated herein 
by reference.  

Executive Officers  

Set forth below as of April 30, 1998 are the names and ages of all executive officers of the Company, the period during which they have been 
officers, and the offices presently held by each of them.  

                        OFFICER 
     NAME AND AGE        SINCE        PRESENT OFFICE 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
   Bradford Wiley II     1993    Chairman of the Board since January 1993 and a 
         57                      Director 

   Charles R. Ellis      1988    President and Chief Executive  Officer and a 
         62                      Director throug April 30, 1998 

   William J. Pesce      1989    President and Chief  Executive  Officer and a 
         47                      Director  since May 1, 1998,  (previously Chief 
                                 Operating  Officer Executive Vice   President 
                                 and   Group   President,   Educational   & 
                                 International Publishing; Senior Vice President 
                                 Educational & International  Publishing  Group 
                                 and Senior Vice President, Educational 
                                 Publishing Group) 

   Stephen A. Kippur     1986    Executive Vice President and Group President, 
         51                      PRT since June 1996   (previously Senior Vice 
                                 President,   Professional, Reference & Trade 
                                 Publishing Group) 

   Richard S. Rudick     1978    Senior Vice President, General Counsel since 
         59                      June 1989 

   Robert D. Wilder      1986    Executive Vice President  and Chief  Financial 
         49                      and Support Operations Officer since June 1996 
                                 (previously  Senior Vice President, Chief 
                                 Financial Officer) 

   William Arlington     1990    Senior Vice President, Human Resources since 
         49                      June  1996 (previously Vice President, Human 
                                 Resources) 

   Peter W. Clifford     1989    Senior Vice  President,  Finance,  Corporate 
         52                      Controller and Chief  Accounting Officer since 
                                 June 1996 (previously Vice President, Finance 
                                 and Controller) 

   Deborah E. Wiley      1982    Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications 
         52                      since June 1996 and a Director (previously Vice 
                                 President and Director of Corporate 
                                 Communications) 

   Timothy B. King       1996    Senior Vice President, Planning and Development 
         57                      since June 1996 (previously Vice President, 
                                 Planning and Development) 

Each of the officers listed above will serve until the next organizational meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company and until each of the 
respective successors is duly elected and qualified. Deborah E. Wiley is the sister of Bradford Wiley II. There is no other family relationship 
among any of the aforementioned individuals.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2. Properties  

The Company's publishing businesses occupy office, warehouse, and distribution centers in various parts of the world, as listed below 
(excluding those locations with less than 10,000 square feet of floor area, none of which is considered material property).  

LOCATION PURPOSE APPROX. SQ. FT. LEASE EXPIRATION DATE  

LEASED-DOMESTIC  

New York            Executive and             230,000             2003 
                    Editorial Offices 
New Jersey          Distribution              170,000             2003 
                    Center and Office 
New Jersey          Warehouse                 132,000             2002 
Colorado            Office                     14,000             2000 

OWNED-FOREIGN 

Germany             Office and Warehouse       66,000 

LEASED-FOREIGN 

Australia           Office                     16,000             2002 
                    Warehouse                  26,000             2000 
Canada              Office                     14,000             2001 
                    Warehouse                  41,000             2001 
England             Office                     48,000             2009 
                    Warehouse                  69,000             2012 
Germany             Office                     23,000             1999 
Singapore           Office and Warehouse       53,000             1999 

All of the buildings and the equipment owned or leased are believed to be in good condition and are generally fully utilized. The Company 
considers its facilities overall to be adequate for its present and near-term anticipated needs.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3. Legal Proceedings  

The Company is involved in routine litigation in the ordinary course of its business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate resolution of 
all pending litigation will not have a material effect upon the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.  

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders  

No matters were submitted to the Company's security holders during the last quarter of the fiscal year ended April 30, 1998.  

Item 5. Market for the Company's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters  

PART II  

The Quarterly Share Prices, Dividends and Related Stockholder Matters listed in the attached index are incorporated herein by reference.  

Item 6. Selected Financial Data  

The Selected Financial Data listed in the attached index is incorporated herein by reference.  

Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition andResults of Operations  

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations listed in the attached index is incorporated herein by 
reference.  

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data  

The financial statements and supplementary data listed in the attached index are incorporated herein by reference.  

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure  

None.  

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers  

PART III  

The information regarding the Board of Directors on pages 4 to 11 of the 1998 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference, and 
information regarding Executive Officers appears in Part I of this report.  

Item 11. Executive Compensation  

The information on pages 11 to 17 of the 1998 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.  

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain  
Beneficial Owners and Management  

The information on pages 2, 3, 9, and 10 of the 1998 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.  

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions  

None.  

Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement  
Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K  

(a) Financial Statements and Schedules  

PART IV  

(1) List of Financial Statements filed. The financial statements listed in the attached index are filed as part of this Report.  

(2) List of Financial Statement Schedules filed. The financial statement schedules listed in the attached index are filed as part of this Report.  

(b) Reports on Form 8-K. No reports on form 8-K were filed during the quarter ended April 30, 1998.  

(c) Exhibits  

2.1 Purchase and Assignment Agreement dated May 7, 1996 among the Company and VCH Publishing Limited Partnership (incorporated by 
reference to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated as of June 13, 1996).  

2.2 Purchase and Assignment Agreement dated May 7, 1996 among the Company and Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker e.V. and Deutsche 
Pharmazeutische Gesellschaft e.V. (incorporated by reference to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated as of June 13, 1996).  

3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to the Company's Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 1992). 

3.2 Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation dated October 13, 1995 (incorporated by reference to the Company's Report 
on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 1997)  

3.3 By-Laws as Amended, dated as of December 1997 (incorporated by reference to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly 
period ended October 31, 1997).  

4.1 Form of agreement between the Company and certain employees restricting transfer of Class B Common Stock (incorporated by reference 
to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended January 31, 1986).  

10.1      Credit agreement dated as of November 15, 1996 among the Company,  the 
          Banks from time to time  parties  hereto,  and Morgan  Guaranty  Trust 
          Company  of New  York,  as Agent  (incorporated  by  reference  to the 
          Company's  report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly  period ended October 
          31, 1996). 

10.2      1991  Key  Employee  Stock  Plan  (incorporated  by  reference  to the 
          Company's Definitive Proxy Statement dated August 8, 1991). 

10.3      Amendment  to 1991 Key Employee  Stock plan dated as of September  19, 
          1996  (incorporated  by reference to the  Company's  Definitive  Proxy 
          Statement dated August 9, 1996). 

10.4      1982 and 1987  Incentive  Stock  Option and  Performance  Stock  Plans 
          (incorporated   by  reference  to  the  Company's   Definitive   Proxy 
          Statements dated July 30, 1982 and August 10, 1987). 

10.5      Amendment to 1982 Stock Option and Performance  Stock Plan dated as of 
          September 19, 1985  (incorporated by reference to the Company's Report 
          on Form 8-K dated as of September 19, 1985). 

10.6      Amendment to 1982 Incentive  Stock Option and  Performance  Stock Plan 
          dated as of March 2, 1989  (incorporated by reference to the Company's 
          Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 1989). 

10.7      Amendment to 1987 Incentive  Stock Option and  Performance  Stock Plan 
          dated as of March 2, 1989  (incorporated by reference to the Company's 
          Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 1989). 

10.8      1990  Director  Stock Plan as Amended and Restated as of June 22, 1995 
          (incorporated  by reference to the  Company's  Report on Form 10-K for 
          the year ended April 30, 1997). 

10.9      1989 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (incorporated by reference 
          to the  Company's  Report  on Form 10-K for the year  ended  April 30, 
          1989). 

10.10     Agreement of Lease dated as of May 16, 1985 between  Fisher 40th & 3rd 
          Company and Hawaiian Realty, Inc., Landlord,  and the Company,  Tenant 
          (incorporated  by reference to the  Company's  Report on Form 10-K for 
          the year ended April 30, 1985). 

10.11     Form of the  Fiscal  Year  1996  Executive  Long-Term  Incentive  Plan 
          (incorporated  by reference to the  Company's  Report on Form 10-K for 
          the year ended April 30, 1995). 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.12     Form of the  Fiscal  Year  1997  Executive  Long-Term  Incentive  Plan 
          (incorporated  by reference to the  Company's  Report on Form 10-K for 
          the year ended April 30, 1996). 

10.13     Form of the Fiscal Year 1998 Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan. 

10.14     Form of the Fiscal Year 1998 Executive Annual Incentive Plan. 

10.15     Senior  Executive  Employment  Agreement  dated as of  January 8, 1998 
          between William J. Pesce and the Company. 

10.16     Senior  Executive  Employment  Agreement  amended as of March 29, 1995 
          between Charles R. Ellis and the Company (incorporated by reference to 
          the Company's Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 1995). 

10.17     Restricted  Stock Award  Agreement  dated as of June 23, 1994  between 
          Charles R. Ellis and the Company  (incorporated  by  reference  to the 
          Company's  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 31, 
          1995). 

10.18     Senior Executive Employment Agreement dated as of July 1, 1994 between 
          Stephen A. Kippur and the Company  (incorporated  by  reference to the 
          Company's  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 31, 
          1995). 

10.19     Amendment No. 1 to Stephen A.  Kippur's  Senior  Executive  Employment 
          Agreement dated as of July 1, 1994  (incorporated  by reference to the 
          Company's  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 31, 
          1995). 

10.20     Restricted  Stock Award  Agreement  dated as of June 23, 1994  between 
          Stephen A. Kippur and the Company  (incorporated  by  reference to the 
          Company's  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 31, 
          1995). 

10.21     Restricted  Stock Award  Agreement  dated as of June 23, 1994  between 
          William J. Pesce and the Company  (incorporated  by  reference  to the 
          Company's  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 31, 
          1995). 

10.22     Senior Executive Employment Agreement dated as of July 1, 1994 between 
          Robert D. Wilder and the Company  (incorporated  by  reference  to the 
          Company's  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 31, 
          1995). 

10.23     Amendment  No. 1 to Robert D.  Wilder's  Senior  Executive  Employment 
          Agreement dated as of July 1, 1994  (incorporated  by reference to the 
          Company's  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 31, 
          1995). 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.24     Restricted  Stock Award  Agreement  dated as of June 23, 1994  between 
          Robert D. Wilder and the Company  (incorporated  by  reference  to the 
          Company's  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 31, 
          1995). 

10.25     Employment  agreement  letter  dated as of January  16,  1997  between 
          Richard S. Rudick and the Company  (Incorporated  by  reference to the 
          Company's Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 1997). 

22        List of Subsidiaries of the Company. 

23        Consent of Independent Public Accountants  (included in this report as 
          listed in the attached index). 

27        Financial Data Schedule. 

 
 
 
 
 
JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES  

The following financial statements and information appearing on the pages indicated are filed as part of this Report:  

                                                                    Page(s) 
Report of Independent Public Accountants and 
Consent of Independent Public Accountants................................16 

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position 
as of April 30, 1998 and 1997............................................17 

Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings 
for the years ended April 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996........................18 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the 
years ended April 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996................................19 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..........................20 - 29 

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition 
and Results of Operations...........................................30 - 32 

Results by Quarter (Unaudited)...........................................33 

Quarterly Share Prices, Dividends and Related Stockholder Matters........33 

Selected Financial Data..................................................34 

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts..........................35 

Other schedules are omitted because of absence of conditions under which they apply or because the information required is included in Notes 
to Consolidated Financial Statements.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
To the Board of Directors and the Shareholders of John Wiley & Sons, Inc.:  

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS  

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (a New York corporation), and 
subsidiaries as of April 30, 1998 and 1997, and the related consolidated statements of income and retained earnings and cash flows for each of 
the three years in the period ended April 30, 1998. These financial statements and the schedule referred to below are the responsibility of the 
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and the schedule based on our audits.  

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit 
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test 
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles 
used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our 
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.  

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of John Wiley & Sons, 
Inc., and subsidiaries as of April 30, 1998 and 1997, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the 
period ended April 30, 1998 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.  

Our audits were made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The schedule listed in the Index 
to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules is presented for purposes of complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission's 
rules and is not a required part of the basic financial statements. This schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the 
audits of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements 
taken as a whole.  

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP  
New York, New York  
June 11, 1998  

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS  

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our report included in the John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Form 10-K 
for the year ended April 30, 1998, into the Company's previously filed Registration Statement File Nos. 33-60268, 2-65296, 2-95104, 33-29372 
and 33-62605.  

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP  
New York, New York  
July 7, 1998  

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION  

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and Subsidiaries                   April 30 
Dollars in thousands                               ------------------------- 
                                                      1998            1997 
                                                   ------------------------- 
Assets 
Current Assets 
  Cash and cash equivalents                         $ 127,405    $  79,116 
  Accounts receivable                                  56,147       61,841 
  Inventories                                          44,912       49,100 
  Deferred income tax benefits                            456        7,143 
  Prepaid expenses                                      8,690        6,935 
                                                   ------------------------- 
  Total Current Assets                                237,610      204,135 
                                                   ------------------------- 

Product Development Assets                             36,039       31,683 
Property and Equipment                                 34,310       32,699 
Intangible Assets                                     172,798      165,147 
Deferred Income Tax Benefits                           15,593       13,004 
Other Assets                                           10,564       11,276 
                                                   ------------------------- 
Total Assets                                        $ 506,914    $ 457,944 
                                                   ------------------------- 

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity 
Current Liabilities 
  Notes payable                                     $    --      $     172 
  Accounts and royalties payable                       36,854       30,988 
  Deferred subscription revenues                       99,225       94,419 
  Accrued income taxes                                  1,174        3,825 
  Other accrued liabilities                            41,100       34,948 
                                                   ------------------------- 
  Total Current Liabilities                           178,353      164,352 
                                                   ------------------------- 

Long-Term Debt                                        125,000      125,000 
Other Long-Term Liabilities                            26,663       24,907 
Deferred Income Taxes                                  16,147       14,702 

Shareholders' Equity 
  Common stock issued 
  Class A (16,776,549 and 16,569,066 shares)           16,777       16,569 
  Class B (3,967,182 and 4,037,082 shares)              3,967        4,037 
  Additional paid-in capital                           40,369       34,332 
  Retained earnings                                   150,392      120,823 
  Cumulative translation adjustment                      (540)         106 
  Unearned deferred compensation                       (2,715)      (3,254) 
                                                   ------------------------- 
                                                      208,250      172,613 
Less Treasury shares at cost (Class A-3,874,603 
      and 3,824,978; Class B-871,024 and 871,024)     (47,499)     (43,630) 
                                                   ------------------------- 
Total Shareholders' Equity                            160,751      128,983 
                                                   ------------------------- 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity .        $ 506,914    $ 457,944 
                                                   ------------------------- 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.  

 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME  
AND RETAINED EARNINGS  

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and Subsidiaries 
Dollars in thousands except per share data              For the years ended April 30 
                                                    ------------------------------------ 
                                                        1998           1997       1996 
                                                    ------------------------------------ 

Revenues                                            $ 467,081    $ 431,974    $ 362,704 

Costs and Expenses 
 Cost of sales                                        164,169      155,245      126,718 
 Operating and administrative expenses                250,008      233,771      198,494 
                                                     ------------------------------------ 
 Amortization of intangibles                           12,040        8,161        4,537 
 Total Costs and Expenses                             426,217      397,177      329,749 

Gain on Sale of Publishing Assets                      21,292         --           -- 

Operating Income                                       62,156       34,797       32,955 

Interest Income and Other                               3,863        2,281        6,211 
Interest Expense                                       (7,933)      (6,225)        (368) 
                                                    ------------------------------------ 
Interest Income (Expense)-Net                          (4,070)      (3,944)       5,843 
                                                    ------------------------------------ 

Income Before Taxes                                    58,086       30,853       38,798 
Provision for Income Taxes                             21,498       10,513       14,118 
                                                    ------------------------------------ 

Net Income                                             36,588       20,340       24,680 
                                                    ------------------------------------ 

Retained Earnings at Beginning of Year                120,823      106,716       87,541 
Cash Dividends 
 Class A Common  ($.45, $.40, and $.35 per share)       5,766        5,116        4,492 
 Class B Common  ($.40, $.35, and $.31 per share)       1,253        1,117        1,013 
                                                    ------------------------------------ 
 Total Dividends                                        7,019        6,233        5,505 
                                                    ------------------------------------ 
Retained Earnings at End of Year                    $ 150,392    $ 120,823    $ 106,716 
                                                    ------------------------------------ 
Income Per Share 
 Diluted                                            $    2.22    $    1.24    $    1.49 
 Basic                                              $    2.32    $    1.29    $    1.55 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and Subsidiaries                              For the years ended April 30 
Dollars in thousands                                              ------------------------------------ 
                                                                     1998         1997        1996 
                                                                  ------------------------------------ 
Operating Activities 
Net Income                                                        $  36,588    $  20,340    $  24,680 
Noncash Items 
  Amortization of intangibles                                        12,040        8,161        4,537 
  Amortization of composition costs                                  20,213       17,763       15,196 
  Depreciation of property and equipment                              9,188        8,340        7,314 
  Reserves for returns, doubtful accounts, and obsolescence          10,181       11,861        6,586 
  Deferred income taxes                                               9,234        3,243        7,873 
  Gain on sale of publishing assets                                 (21,292)        --           -- 
  Other                                                              12,207        7,300        7,583 
Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities 
  Increase in receivables                                            (2,872)        (178)     (12,150) 
  Decrease (increase) in inventories                                  4,426        1,791       (3,734) 
  Increase (decrease) in accounts and royalties payable               6,000      (12,109)       3,821 
  Increase in deferred subscription revenues .                        5,983        7,769        4,996 
  Net change in other operating assets and liabilities                2,162      (10,372)       1,420 
                                                                  ------------------------------------ 
  Cash Provided by Operating Activities                             104,058       63,909       68,122 
                                                                  ------------------------------------ 
Investing Activities 
  Additions to product development assets                           (30,220)     (25,466)     (26,483) 
  Additions to property and equipment                               (11,935)      (8,868)      (9,310) 
  Proceeds from sale of publishing assets                            26,500         --           -- 
  Acquisition of publishing assets                                  (30,491)    (103,980)      (3,968) 
                                                                  ------------------------------------ 
  Cash Used for Investing Activities                                (46,146)    (138,314)     (39,761) 
                                                                  ------------------------------------ 
Financing Activities 
  Purchase of treasury shares                                        (4,281)     (10,506)      (3,323) 
  Additions to long-term debt                                          --        125,000         -- 
  Repayment of long-term debt                                          --        (10,542)        -- 
  Net repayments of short-term debt                                    (156)      (1,270)        (624) 
  Cash dividends                                                     (7,019)      (6,233)      (5,505) 
  Proceeds from issuance of stock on option exercises and other       2,288        1,249        2,289 
                                                                  ------------------------------------ 
  Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities                   (9,168)      97,698       (7,163) 
                                                                  ------------------------------------ 
  Effects of exchange rate changes on cash                             (455)         539         (324) 
                                                                  ------------------------------------ 
Cash and Cash Equivalents 
  Increase for year                                                  48,289       23,832       20,874 
  Balance at beginning of year                                       79,116       55,284       34,410 
                                                                  ------------------------------------ 
  Balance at end of year                                          $ 127,405    $  79,116    $  55,284 
                                                                  ------------------------------------ 
Cash Paid During the Year for 
  Interest                                                        $   8,042    $   5,143    $     647 
  Income taxes                                                    $  12,409    $   7,995    $   2,799 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.  

 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  

Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of John Wiley & Sons, Inc., and its majority-owned 
subsidiaries (the "Company"). All significant intercompany items have been eliminated.  

Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to 
make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the 
date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from 
those estimates.  

Subscription Revenues: Subscription revenues are generally collected in advance. These revenues are deferred and recognized as earned when 
the related issue is shipped to the subscriber.  

Sales Returns and Doubtful Accounts: The Company provides an estimated allowance for doubtful accounts and for future returns on sales 
made during the year. The allowance for doubtful accounts and returns (estimated returns net of inventory and royalty costs) is shown as a 
reduction of receivables in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and amounted to $41.6 and $34.5 million at April 30, 1998 and 1997, 
respectively.  

Depreciation and Amortization: Buildings, leasehold improvements, and capital leases are amortized over the lesser of the estimated useful 
lives of the assets up to 40 years, or the duration of the various leases, using the straight-line method. Furniture and equipment is depreciated 
principally on the straight-line method over estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 10 years. Composition costs representing the costs 
incurred to bring an edited manuscript to publication including typesetting, proofreading, design and illustration, etc., are capitalized and 
amortized over estimated useful lives representative of product revenue patterns, generally three years.  

Intangible Assets: Intangible assets consist of acquired publication rights, which are principally amortized over periods ranging from 3 to 30 
years based on the projected revenues of rights acquired; noncompete agreements; which are amortized over the term of such agreements, and 
goodwill and other intangibles, which are amortized on a straight - line basis over periods ranging from 5 to 40 years. If facts and 
circumstances indicate that long-lived assets and/or intangible assets may be permanently impaired, it is the Company's policy to assess the 
carrying value and recoverability of such assets based on an analysis of undiscounted future cash flows of the related operations. Any resulting 
reduction in carrying value based on the estimated fair value would be charged to operating results.  

Foreign Exchange Contracts: The Company, from time to time, enters into forward exchange contracts as a hedge against its overseas 
subsidiaries' foreign currency asset, liability, and commitment exposures. Such exposures include overseas subsidiaries' anticipated annual 
journal subscription revenues, as well as that portion of the revenues and related receivables on sales of book products, that are denominated in 
U.S. dollars. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are deferred and taken into income over the lives of the hedged items if permitted by 
generally accepted accounting principles; otherwise the contracts are marked to market with any gains and losses reflected in operating 
expenses. There were no open foreign exchange contracts at April 30, 1998. At April 30, 1997, the Company had one contract to sell 
approximately $6.9 million of (pound) sterling expiring in May 1997, the market value of which approximated the contract value. No gains or 
losses were deferred at April 30, 1998 or 1997.  

Stock-Based Compensation: Stock options and restricted stock grants are accounted for in accordance with Accounting Principles Board 
Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" and the disclosure-only provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting 
Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensations." Accordingly, the Company recognizes no compensation expense for fixed 
stock option grants since the exercise price is equal to the fair value of the shares at date of grant. For restricted stock grants, compensation cost 
is recognized generally ratably over the vesting period based on the fair value of shares.  

Cash Equivalents: Cash equivalents consist primarily of highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less and are stated at cost 
plus accrued interest, which approximates market value.  

New Accounting Standards: The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued the following Statements of Financial Accounting Standards 
("SFAS"), which become effective for the Company's fiscal 1999 financial statements: SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," 
which requires disclosure of comprehensive income and its components, as defined; SFAS No. 131, "Disclosure about Segments of an 
Enterprise and Related Information," which requires certain financial and descriptive information about a company's reportable operating 
statements; and SFAS No. 132, "Employers' Disclosures about Pensions and other Postretirement Benefits," which requires additional 
disclosures relating to a company's pension and postretirement benefit plans. In the opinion of the Company's management, the adoption of 
these new accounting standards may require additional disclosures but should not have a material effect on the consolidated financial 
statements of the Company.  

Income Per Share  

In the third quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 128, "Earnings Per 
Share," which requires the presentation of "basic" income per share which excludes the dilutive effects of unexercised stock options and 
nonvested stock awards, and "diluted" income per share which includes the effects of such items. Prior periods' income per share have been 
restated. A reconciliation of the shares used in the computation follows:  

In thousands                                  1998        1997        1996 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Weighted average shares outstanding           15,969     16,029      16,062 
Less:  Unearned deferred 
       compensation shares                      (196)      (209)       (167) 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Shares used for basic 
  income per share                            15,773     15,820      15,895 
Dilutive effect of stock 
  options and other stock awards                 715        552         643 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Shares used for diluted 
  income per share                            16,488     16,372      16,538 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Acquisitions  

In fiscal 1998, the Company acquired the publishing assets of Van Nostrand Reinhold (VNR) for approximately $28.5 million in cash. VNR 
publishes in such areas as architecture / design, environmental / industrial sciences, culinary arts / hospitality, and business technology. The 
cost of the acquisition has been allocated on the basis of preliminary estimates of the fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities 
assumed. Final asset and liability fair values may differ based on appraisals and tax bases; however, it is anticipated that any changes will not 
have a material effect in the aggregate on the consolidated financial position of the Company. The excess of cost over the preliminary estimate 
of the fair value of the tangible assets acquired amounted to approximately $24 million, relating primarily to acquired publication rights that are 
being amortized on a straight-line basis over an estimated average life of 15 years. In addition, during the year, the Company acquired various 
newsletters, books, and journals for purchase prices aggregating approximately $2 million, which primarily relates to acquired publication 
rights that are being amortized over periods ranging from 15 to 30 years.  

In fiscal 1997, the Company acquired a 90% interest in the German-based VCH Publishing Group ("VCH") through the purchase of 90% of the 
shares of VCH Verlagsgesellschaft mbH for approximately $99 million in cash. VCH is a leading scientific, technical, and professional 
publisher of journals and books in such disciplines as chemistry, architecture, and civil engineering. The excess of cost over the fair value of 
the tangible assets acquired amounted to approximately $111.6 million relating to acquired publication rights, which are being amortized on a 
straight-line basis over an average life of 30 years. In addition, during the year, the Company acquired various newsletters including the 
publishing assets of Technical Insights, Inc., a publisher of print and electronic newsletters in various areas of science and technology, for 
purchase prices aggregating $4.7 million, which primarily relates to goodwill and is being amortized on a straight-line basis over 10 years.  

In fiscal 1996, the Company acquired Clinical Psychology Publishing Company (CPPC), a publisher of journals and books in the fields of 
clinical and educational psychology; Preservation Press, consisting of architectural heritage books, technical preservation guides, and children's 
architecture books; and certain other smaller publishing properties. In addition, the Company became the publisher of Cancer, the American 
Cancer Society's medical journal. The purchase prices amounted to $4.0 million in cash plus assumed liabilities of $1.3 million. The excess of 
cost over the fair value of the tangible assets acquired amounted to approximately $3.7 million, of which $.9 million related to acquired 
publication rights, $.2 million related to noncompete agreements, and $2.6 million represented goodwill and other intangibles that are being 
amortized over 5 to 15 years.  

All acquisitions have been accounted for by the purchase method, and the accompanying financial statements include their results of operations 
since their respective dates of acquisition. The following pro forma information presents the results of operations of the Company as if the 
VCH acquisition had been consummated as of May 1, 1995. The pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the actual 
results that would have been obtained had the acquisition been consummated as of May 1, 1995, nor is it necessarily indicative of future results 
of operations. The pro forma effects for the other acquisitions were not material.  

                                      1997            1996 
                                 --------------- --------------- 
                           (In thousands, except per share information) 

Revenues                           $ 441,650       $ 424,570 
Net Income                         $  18,931       $  17,520 
Net Income Per Diluted Share       $    1.16       $    1.06 
Net Income Per Basic Share         $    1.20       $    1.10 

 
 
 
 
Divested Operations  

In fiscal 1998, the Company sold its domestic law publishing program for $26.5 million, resulting in a gain of $21.3 million. Offsetting this 
gain are special asset write-downs and other items amounting to approximately $4.4 million, including write-downs of intangible assets of 
approximately $3.3 million in accordance with the Company's policy of evaluating such assets, and if deemed to be permanently impaired, 
writing them down to net realizable value based on discounted cash flows. The net effect of these unusual items amounted to a pretax gain of 
$16.9 million, or $9.7 million after taxes, equal to $0.59 per diluted share, or $0.62 per basic share.  

Inventories  

Inventories at April 30 were as follows:  

Dollars in thousands            1998              1997 
-------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- 
Finished Goods                $ 38,039         $ 40,859 
Work-in-Process                  6,864            7,475 
Paper, Cloth, and Other           2,084            2,559 
-------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- 
                                46,987           50,893 
LIFO Reserve                    (2,075)          (1,793) 
-------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- 
Total                         $ 44,912         $ 49,100 
-------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- 

Domestic book inventories aggregating $29.6 and $29.9 million at April 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively, are stated at cost or market, 
whichever is lower, using the last-in, first-out method. All other inventories are stated at cost or market, whichever is lower, using the first-in, 
first-out method.  

Product Development Assets  

Product development assets consisted of the following at April 30:  

Dollars in thousands                 1998           1997 
-------------------------------- -------------- ------------- 
Composition Costs                   $25,468        $21,819 
Royalty Advances                     10,571          9,864 
-------------------------------- -------------- ------------- 
Total                               $36,039        $31,683 
-------------------------------- -------------- ------------- 

Composition costs are net of accumulated amortization of $40,108 in 1998 and $33,323 in 1997.  

Property and Equipment  

Property and equipment consisted of the following at April 30:  

Dollars in thousands                    1998          1997 
----------------------------------- ------------ ------------- 
Land and Land Improvements            $  1,542     $  1,542 
Buildings and Leasehold Improvements    17,043       18,222 
Furniture and Equipment                 64,570       55,622 
----------------------------------- ------------ ------------- 
                                        83,155       75,386 
Accumulated Depreciation               (48,845)     (42,687) 
----------------------------------- ------------ ------------- 
Total                                 $ 34,310     $ 32,699 
----------------------------------- ------------ ------------- 

Intangible Assets  

Intangible assets consisted of the following at April 30:  

Dollars in thousands                1998          1997 
------------------------------- ------------- ------------- 
Acquired Publication Rights       $149,977      $132,901 
Goodwill and Other Intangibles      52,061        54,283 
Non-compete Agreements               1,316         1,435 
------------------------------- ------------- ------------- 

 
 
 
                                   203,354       188,619 
Accumulated Amortization           (30,556)      (23,472) 
------------------------------- ------------- ------------- 
Total                             $172,798      $165,147 
------------------------------- ------------- ------------- 

Other Accrued Liabilities  

Included in other accrued liabilities was accrued compensation of approximately $20.1 million and $17.7 million for 1998 and 1997, 
respectively.  

 
Income Taxes  

The provision for income taxes was as follows:  

Dollars in thousands           1998       1997        1996 
--------------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------- 
Currently Payable 
   Federal                    $6,781     $  945     $1,122 
   Foreign                    $4,332     $5,295     $4,142 
   State and local            $1,166     $1,026     $1,000 
--------------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------- 
   Total Current Provision    $12,279    $7,266     $6,264 
--------------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------- 
Deferred Provision 
   Federal                    $6,211     $2,496     $5,270 
   Foreign                    $1,629     $  834     $1,687 
   State and local            $1,379     $  (83)    $  897 
--------------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------- 
   Total Deferred Provision   $9,219     $3,247     $7,854 
--------------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------- 
   Total Provision            $21,498    $10,513    $14,118 
--------------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------- 

The Company's effective income tax rate as a percent of pretax income differed from the U.S. federal statutory rate as shown below:  

                                           1998     1997     1996 
------------------------------------     -------- -------- -------- 
U.S. Federal Statutory Rate                35.0%    35.0%    35.0% 

State and Local Income Taxes 
  Net of Federal Income Tax Benefit         2.8      2.0      3.2 
Tax Benefit Derived From FSC Income        (2.7)    (4.8)    (3.1) 
Foreign Source Earnings Taxed at 
  Other Than U.S. Statutory Rate             .6       .3      1.1 
Nondeductible Amortization of Intangibles    .7       .9       .7 
Other-Net                                    .6       .7      (.5) 
------------------------------------     -------- -------- -------- 
Effective Income Tax Rate                  37.0%    34.1%    36.4% 
------------------------------------     -------- -------- -------- 

Deferred taxes result from timing differences in the recognition of revenue and expense for tax and financial reporting purposes. The 
components of the provision for deferred taxes were as follows:  

Dollars in thousands               1998      1997      1996 
--------------------------------- -------- --------- --------- 
Depreciation and Amortization    $(2,898)   $(691)   $(3,684) 
Accrued Expenses                    (275)     264      6,100 
Circulation Costs                     --       --      1,471 
Provision for Sales Returns and 
  Doubtful Accounts                5,699     (959)    (1,391) 
Inventory                          1,331      112        578 
Retirement Benefits                  (23)     (87)       (66) 
Divested Operations                   --       --     (3,386) 
Long-Term Liabilities              2,541    1,562      5,102 
Alternative Minimum Tax Credit 
  and Other Carryforwards            236      653      1,869 
Net Operating Loss Carryforwards   1,631   (1,150)        -- 
Valuation Allowance                  826    2,432         -- 
Other-Net                            151    1,111      1,261 
--------------------------------- -------- --------- --------- 
Total Deferred Provision          $9,219   $3,247     $7,854 
--------------------------------- -------- --------- --------- 

The significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:  

                                                1998               1997 
                                         ------------------ ------------------- 
Dollars in thousands                     Current  Long-Term  Current  Long-Term 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Deferred Tax Assets 
Net Operating Loss Carryforward              --     26,131       --     25,703 
Reserve for Sales Returns and 
  Doubtful Accounts                       2,194         --    8,219         -- 
Costs Capitalized for Taxes                  --      3,054       --      3,282 
Retirement and Post- 

 
 
 
 
  Employment Benefits                        --      3,470       --      3,387 
Amortization of Intangibles               2,513         --    1,140 
Other                                        --         --       52         -- 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Total Deferred Tax Assets                 2,194     35,168     8,271    33,512 
Less: Valuation Allowance                    --    (12,553)       --   (13,344) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Net Deferred Tax Assets                  2,194     22,615     8,271    20,168 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Deferred Tax Liabilities 
Inventory                                (1,738)        --    (1,128)       -- 
Depreciaton and Amortization                 --     (4,305)       --    (5,149) 
Divested Operations                          --       (196)       --       (44) 
Accrued Expenses                             --     (7,002)       --    (6,230) 
Long-Term Liabilities                        --    (10,822)       --    (8,891) 
Other                                        --       (844)       --    (1,552) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Total Deferred Tax Liabilities           (1,738)   (23,169)   (1,128)  (21,866) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Net Deferred Tax Assets (Liability)         456       (554)    7,143    (1,698) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 
Approximately $9.3 million of the valuation allowance relates to net deferred tax assets recorded in connection with the VCH acquisition. Any 
amounts realized in future years will reduce the intangible assets recorded at date of acquisition.  

Current taxes payable for 1998 have been reduced by $2.5 million relating to the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards. At April 30, 
1998, the Company had aggregate unused net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $61.0 million, which may be available to reduce 
future taxable income primarily in foreign tax jurisdictions and generally have no expiration date.  

In general, the Company plans to continue to invest the undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries in those businesses, and therefore no 
provision is made for taxes that would be payable if such earnings were distributed. At April 30, 1998, the undistributed earnings of foreign 
subsidiaries approximated $35.8 million and, if remitted currently, would result in additional taxes approximating $7.1 million.  

Notes Payable and Debt  

Long-term debt consisted of the following at April 30:  

Dollars in thousands                      1998          1997 
------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Term Loan Notes Payable Due 
  October 2000 Through 2003             $125,000      $125,000 

The weighted average interest rate on the term loan was 6.21% and 5.82% during 1998 and 1997, respectively; and 6.19% and 5.82% at April 
30, 1998 and 1997, respectively.  

The Company has a seven-year $175 million credit agreement expiring on October 31, 2003, with nine banks. The credit agreement consists of 
a term loan of $125 million and a $50 million revolving credit facility. The Company has the option of borrowing at the following floating 
interest rates: (i) Eurodollars at a rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus an applicable margin ranging from .15% 
to .30% depending on certain coverage ratios or, (ii) dollars at a rate based on the current certificate of deposit rate, plus an applicable margin 
ranging from .275% to .425% depending on certain coverage ratios or, (iii) dollars at the higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus .5% and (b) 
the banks' prime rate. In addition, the Company pays a facility fee ranging from .10% to .20 % on the total facility depending on certain 
coverage ratios.  

In the event of a change of control, as defined, the banks have the option to terminate the agreement and require repayment of any amounts 
outstanding. Amounts outstanding under the term loan have mandatory repayments as follows:  

Dollars in thousands         1999     2000    2001    2002     2003 
--------------------      -------- ------- -------- -------- -------- 
                          $  --     $  --   $30,000  $30,000  $30,000 

The credit agreement contains certain restrictive covenants related to minimum net worth, funded debt levels, an interest coverage ratio, and 
restricted payments, including a cumulative limitation for dividends paid and share repurchases. Under the most restrictive covenant, 
approximately $71 million was available for such restricted payments as of April 30, 1998.  

The Company and its subsidiaries have other short-term lines of credit aggregating $51 million at various interest rates. Information relating to 
all short-term lines of credit follows:  

Dollars in thousands                       1998      1997      1996 
---------------------------------------------------------------------- 

End of Year 
   Amount outstanding                 $     --    $    172    $     -- 
   Weighted average interest rate           --       10.4%          -- 

During the Year 
   Maximum amount outstanding         $ 28,794    $ 26,253    $ 18,909 
   Average amount outstanding         $    742    $ 11,368    $  5,960 
   Weighted average interest rate         8.5%        6.0%        7.0% 
---------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Based on estimates of interest rates currently available to the Company for loans with similar terms and maturities, the fair value of notes 
payable and long-term debt approximates the carrying value.  

Retirement Plans  

The Company and its principal subsidiaries have contributory and noncontributory retirement plans that cover substantially all employees. The 
plans generally provide for employee retirement between the ages of 60 to 65 and benefits based on length of service and final average 
compensation, as defined. In fiscal 1998, the domestic plan was amended to provide that final average compensation be based on the highest 

 
 
 
 
 
three consecutive years ended December 31, 1994. The Company may, but is not required to, update from time to time the ending date for the 
three-year period used to determine final average compensation. The amendment had the effect of increasing pension expense for fiscal 1998 
by $.2 million. For funded plans, funds are contributed as necessary to provide for current service and for a portion of any unfunded projected 
benefit obligation. To the extent these requirements are exceeded by plan assets, a contribution may not be made in a particular year. Plan 
assets consist principally of investments in corporate stocks and bonds and government obligations. The unfunded plan primarily relates to a 
non-U.S. subsidiary and is governed by local statutory requirements.  

Pension costs for the defined benefit plans were as follows:  

Dollars in thousands                  1998       1997       1996 
------------------------------------------------------------------ 

Service Cost                         $3,432     $2,902    $2,598 
Interest Cost on Projected 
  Benefit Obligation                  5,325      4,665     3,757 
Return on Assets                    (15,941)    (6,826)   (6,331) 
Net Amortization and Deferral         9,746      1,014     1,430 
------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Net Periodic Pension Expense         $2,562     $1,755    $1,454 
------------------------------------------------------------------ 

The net pension expense included above for the international plans amounted to approximately $2.1, $1.5, and $1.1 million for 1998, 1997, and 
1996, respectively.  

The following table sets forth the status of the plans and the amounts recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of financial 
position.  

                                           1998                    1997 
                                 ------------------------  --------------------- 
                                    Assets    Accumulated   Assets   Accumulated 
                                   Exceed      Benefits     Exceed     Benefits 
                                 Accumulated    Exceed    Accumulated   Exceed 
Dollars in thousands               Benefits     Assets      Benefits    Assets 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fair Value of Plan Assets         $ 84,262     $    --     $ 68,385     $    -- 

Accumulated Benefit Obligation 
Vested Benefits                    (54,769)    (10,452)     (50,214)    (10,462) 
Nonvested Benefits                  (2,810)       (537)      (3,204)       (564) 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                   (57,579)    (10,989)     (53,418)    (11,026) 
Projected Compensation Increases    (5,851)     (1,317)      (3,808)     (1,420) 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Projected Benefit Obligation       (63,430)    (12,306)     (57,226)    (12,446) 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Funded Status                       20,832     (12,306)      11,159     (12,446) 
Unrecognized Net Asset              (2,907)         --       (3,759)         -- 
Unrecognized Prior  Service Cost     2,401         365        1,692         447 
Unrecognized Net Loss (Gain)       (18,738)        102       (7,524)        350 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Prepaid (Accrued) Pension Cost    $  1,588    $(11,863)    $  1,568    $(11,649) 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

The range of assumptions used in 1998 and 1997 were:  

                                                 Assets       Accumulated 
                                                 Exceed        Benefits 
                                               Accumulated      Exceed 
                                                 Benefits       Assets 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Discount Rate                                  7.5 - 8.5%        6.5% 
Expected Long-Term Rate of Return 
  on Plan Assets                               7.0 - 8.0%          -- 
Rate of Increase in Compensation Levels          0 - 7.0%        3.7% 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

The Company has agreements with certain officers and senior management personnel that provide for the payment of supplemental retirement 
benefits during each of the 10 years after the termination of employment. Under certain circumstances, including a change of control as 
defined, the payment of such amounts could be accelerated on a present value basis. The cost of these benefits is being charged to expense on a 
present value basis over the estimated term of employment and amounted to approximately $1.2, $1.1, and $1.0 million in 1998, 1997, and 
1996, respectively.  

The Company provides life insurance and health care benefits, subject to certain dollar limitations and retiree contributions, for substantially all 
of its retired domestic employees. The cost of such benefits is expensed over the years that the employees render service and is funded on a 
pay-as-you-go, cash basis. The accumulated postretirement benefit obligation amounted to $.3 million at April 30, 1998 and 1997, and the 
amount expensed in fiscal 1998 and prior years was not material.  

Commitments and Contingencies  

 
 
 
 
 
The following schedule shows the composition of rent expense for operating leases:  

Dollars in thousands             1998        1997       1996 
------------------------------ ---------- ----------- ---------- 
Minimum Rental                   13,137     13,654      12,550 
Lease Escalation                  2,250      2,188       1,913 
Less: Sublease Rentals              (50)       (19)        (19) 
------------------------------ ---------- ----------- ---------- 
Total                            15,337     15,823      14,444 
------------------------------ ---------- ----------- ---------- 

Future minimum payments under operating leases aggregated $78.5 million at April 30, 1998. Annual payments under these leases are $15.7, 
$14.4, $14.0, $13.6, and $13.0 million for fiscal years 1999 through 2003, respectively.  

The Company is involved in routine litigation in the ordinary course of its business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate resolution of 
all pending litigation will not have a material effect upon the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.  

 
Segment Information  

The Company operates in one business segment, namely publishing, and develops, produces, publishes, markets, and services products in print 
and electronic formats, such as periodicals including journals and other subscription-based products, professional and reference works, 
consumer books, and textbooks, for the scientific, technical, professional, trade, and educational markets around the world.  

The Company's international operations are located in Europe, Canada, Australia, and Asia. The following table presents revenues, operating 
income, and identifiable assets for the domestic and international operations.  

Dollars in thousands          1998         1997         1996 
----------------------    ------------ ------------ ------------ 
Revenues 
   Domestic                 $322,789     297,152     279,998 
   Europe                    138,320     123,142      70,942 
   Other International        46,165      47,496      41,357 
   Interarea transfers       (35,816)    (29,593)    (40,193) 
----------------------    ------------ ------------ ------------ 
   Total                    $467,081     431,974     362,704 
----------------------    ------------ ------------ ------------ 
Operating Income 
   Domestic                  $49,315(a)   20,817      20,180 
   Europe                     13,633      11,728      12,064 
   Other International          (792)      2,252         711 
----------------------    ------------ ------------ ------------ 
   Total                     $62,156(a)   34,797      32,955 
----------------------    ------------ ------------ ------------ 
Identifiable Assets 
   Domestic                 $187,184     178,861      178,442 
   Europe                   $174,323     179,210       30,988 
   Other International        18,002      20,757       19,787 
   Corporate                  79,116      55,284      127,405 
----------------------    ------------ ------------ ------------ 
   Total                    $506,914     457,944      284,501 
----------------------    ------------ ------------ ------------ 

(a) Includes unusual items amounting to $16,893 relating to the gain on the sale of the domestic law publishing program, net of a write-down of 
certain intangible assets and other items.  

Transfers between geographic areas are generally made at a fixed discount from list price and principally represent sales from the United States 
to the Company's international operations. Export sales from the United States to unaffiliated international customers amounted to 
approximately $56.5, $51.4, and $47.5 million in 1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively. The pretax income for consolidated international 
operations was approximately $14.1, $16.5, and $13.0 million in 1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively.  

Included in operating and administrative expenses were net foreign exchange gains (losses) of approximately $(.1), $.7, and $.2 million in 
1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively.  

Changes in the cumulative translation adjustment account were as follows:  

Dollars in thousands             1998         1997 
----------------------------- ------------ ----------- 
Balance at beginning of year    $  106       $(3,086) 
Aggregate translation 
  adjustments for the year        (646)        3,192 
----------------------------- ------------ ----------- 
Balance at end of year          $ (540)      $   106 
 ----------------------------- ------------ ----------- 

Stock Compensation Plans  

Under the Company's Key Employee Stock Plan, qualified employees are eligible to receive awards that may include stock options, 
performance stock awards, and restricted stock awards up to a maximum per year of 3% of Class A stock outstanding and subject to an overall 
maximum of 2,000,000 shares through the year 2000. As of April 30, 1998, approximately 595,520 shares were available for future grants.  

Options granted under the plan may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the stock at the date of grant. Options are exercisable, in 
part or in full, over a maximum period of 10 years from the date of grant, and generally vest within five years from the date of the grant. Under 
certain circumstances relating to a change of control, as defined, the right to exercise options outstanding could be accelerated.  

The Company elected to apply the disclosure-only provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-
Based Compensation." Accordingly, no compensation cost is recognized for fixed stock option grants. Had compensation cost been recognized, 
net income would have been reduced on a pro forma basis by $.6 million, or $.04 per diluted share, in 1998; $.4 million, or $.02 per diluted 

 
 
share, in 1997; and $.1 million, or $.01 per diluted share, in 1996. For the pro forma calculations, the fair value of each option grant was 
estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions for 1998, 1997, and 1996:  
risk-free interest rate of 6.5%, 7.1%, and 6.3%, respectively; dividend yield of 1.3%, 1.5%, and 2.0%, respectively; volatility of 18.1%, 22.0%, 
and 22.2%, respectively; and expected life of nine years for all years.  

A summary of the activity and status of the Company's stock option plans follows:  

                                       1998                1997                1996 
                              ----------------------------------------------------------- 
                                         Weighted             Weighted            Weighted 
                                         Average              Average             Average 
                                         Exercise             Exercise            Exercise 
                              Options     Price     Options    Price    Options    Price 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Outstanding at beginning 
  of year                    1,041,939   $ 17.87  1,028,663  $ 15.38  1,070,038  $ 12.87 
Granted                        149,678     34.60    143,349    30.36    133,224    28.76 
Exercised                     (137,583)    14.14   (107,323)   10.84   (157,099)    9.62 
Canceled                        (2,125)    25.89    (22,750)   17.24    (17,500)   15.64 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Outstanding at end of year   1,051,909   $ 20.71  1,041,939  $ 17.87  1,028,663  $ 15.38 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Exercisable at end of year     540,568   $ 13.51    603,941  $ 12.26    570,170  $ 11.07 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 
 
The weighted average fair value of options granted during the year was $12.39 and $12.05 in 1998 and 1997, respectively.  

A summary of information about stock options outstanding and options exercisable at April 30, 1998, follows:  

Weighted Weighted Weighted Number Average Average Number Average  

Options Outstanding Options Exercisable  

    Range of             Of     Remaining   Exercise    Of      Exercise 
  Exercise Prices     Options      Term      Price    Options    Price 
------------------   ---------  ----------  --------  -------   -------- 
$  7.88 to $ 12.25    428,162   3.4 years   $ 10.10   401,586   $  9.99 
$ 20.69               179,850   6.1 years   $ 20.69    82,400   $ 20.69 
$ 26.25 to $ 34.50    443,897   8.1 years   $ 30.95    56,582   $ 28.02 
------------------   ---------  ----------  --------  -------   -------- 
Total               1,051,909   5.8 years   $ 20.71   540,568   $ 13.51 
------------------   ---------  ----------  --------  -------   -------- 

Under the terms of the Company's executive long-term incentive plans, upon the achievement of certain three-year financial performance-based 
targets, awards will be payable in restricted shares of the Company's Class A Common stock. The restricted shares vest equally as to 50% on 
the first and second anniversary date after the date the award is earned. Compensation expense is charged to earnings over the respective three-
year period. In addition, the Company granted restricted shares of the Company's Class A Common stock to key executive officers and others 
in connection with their employment. The restricted shares generally vest one-third at the end of the third, fourth, and fifth years, respectively, 
following the date of the grant. Under certain circumstances relating to a change of control or termination, as defined, the restrictions would 
lapse and shares would vest earlier. Compensation expense is charged to earnings ratably over five years, or sooner if vesting is accelerated, 
from the dates of grant. Restricted shares issued in connection with the above plans amounted to 38,487, 25,638, and 145,658 shares at 
weighted-average grant-date fair values of $33.61, $29.00, and $28.11 per share in 1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively. Compensation expense 
charged to earnings for the above amounted to $2.6 million, $1.5 million, and $1.3 million in 1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively.  

Under the terms of the Company's Director Stock Plan, each member of the Board of Directors who is not an employee of the Company is 
awarded Class A Common stock equal to 50% of the board member's annual cash compensation, based on the market value of the stock on the 
date of the shareholders' meeting. Directors may also elect to receive all or a portion of their cash compensation in stock. Under this plan 7,049, 
10,274, and 5,752 shares were issued in 1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively. Compensation expense related to this plan amounted to 
approximately $.3 million, $.3 million, and $.2 million in 1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively.  

Capital Stock and Changes in Capital Accounts  

Preferred stock consists of 2,000,000 authorized shares with $1 par value. To date, no preferred shares have been issued. Common stock 
consists of 30,000,000 authorized shares of Class A Common, $1 par value, and 12,000,000 authorized shares of Class B Common, $1 par 
value.  

Each share of the Company's Class B Common stock is convertible into one share of Class A Common stock. The holders of Class A stock are 
entitled to elect 30% of the entire Board of Directors and the holders of Class B stock are entitled to elect the remainder. On all other matters, 
each share of Class A stock is entitled to one-tenth of one vote and each share of Class B stock is entitled to one vote.  

 
 
Changes in selected capital accounts were as follows:  

                                          Common Stock    Additional 
                                      ------------------    Paid-in     Treasury 
Dollars in thousands                   Class A    Class B   Capital      Stock 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Balance at April 30, 1995             $16,173     $4,168   $25,446     $(30,538) 
Director Stock Plan Issuance               --         --       124           41 
Executive Long-Term 
  Incentive Plan Issuance                  --         --       182           60 
Purchase of Treasury Shares                --         --        --       (3,323) 
Restricted Share Issuance                  --         --     3,054          948 
Issuance of Shares Under 
  Employee Savings Plan                    --         --       674          208 
Exercise of Stock Options                 157         --     1,354         (889) 
Other                                      82        (82)      781           -- 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Balance at May 1, 1996                $16,412     $4,086   $31,615     $(33,493) 
Director Stock Plan Issuance               --         --       217           85 
Executive Long-Term 
  Incentive Plan Issuance                  --         --       132           47 
Purchase of Treasury Shares                --         --        --      (10,506) 
Restricted Share Issuance                  --         --       337          149 
Issuance of Shares Under 
  Employee Savings Plan                    --         --       212           84 
Exercise of Stock Options                 108         --     1,056           -- 
Other                                      49        (49)      763            4 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Balance at May 1, 1997                $16,569     $4,037   $34,332     $(43,630) 
Director Stock Plan Issuance               --         --       217           67 
Executive Long-Term 
  Incentive Plan Issuance                  --         --       192           73 
Purchase of Treasury Shares                --         --        --       (4,281) 
Restricted Share Issuance                  --         --     1,862          270 
Issuance of Shares Under Employee 
  Savings Plan                             --         --       316          101 
Exercise of Stock Options                 138         --     3,450          (99) 
Other                                      70        (70)       --           -- 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Balance at April 30, 1998             $16,777     $3,967   $40,369     $(47,499) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations  

Results of Operations:  
Fiscal 1998 Compared to Fiscal 1997  

The Company continued to grow and strengthen its core businesses. In fiscal 1998, the Company sold its domestic law publishing program for 
$26.5 million, and reinvested the proceeds by acquiring the publishing assets of Van Nostrand Reinhold (VNR) for $28.5 million in cash. The 
domestic law program had limited potential for the Company. VNR reinforces the Company's strong position in four core subject areas: 
architecture / design, environmental / industrial science, culinary arts / hospitality, and business technology.  

Fiscal 1998 income includes unusual items amounting to a pre-tax gain of $16.9 million, or $9.7 million after taxes, equal to $.59 per diluted 
share, relating to the gain on the sale of the domestic law publishing program, net of a write-down of certain intangible assets and other items.  

Revenues increased 8% over the prior year to $467.1 million reflecting improvement in all of the Company's core businesses. Worldwide 
revenue increases over the prior year included 9% for scientific, technical, and medical publishing; 8% for professional/trade publishing; and 
7% for educational publishing, led by the domestic college division, which increased 9%. The strong U.S. dollar depressed revenues in some of 
the Company's overseas markets.  

Cost of sales as a percentage of revenues was 35.1% in 1998 compared with 35.9% in the prior year primarily reflecting lower inventory 
obsolescence provisions in the current year.  

Operating and administrative expenses increased 6.9% over the prior year. Expenses as a percentage of revenues declined to 53.5%, compared 
with 54.1% in the prior year, as the rate of growth in expenses was contained at less than the revenue growth rate.  

Operating income excluding the unusual items mentioned above increased 30% over the prior year to $45.3 million. Operating income margins 
increased to 9.7% of revenue from 8.1% in the prior year, primarily due to the effects of the higher revenue base and lower operating expenses 
as a percentage of revenues. Operating income was adversely affected by weakness in the Company's Asian markets due to the economic 
downturn in that region.  

Interest expense increased by $1.7 million reflecting a full year of financing costs related to VCH, which was acquired during fiscal 1997. 
Interest income increased by $1.6 million primarily as a result of higher cash balances compared with the prior year.  

The effective tax rate was 37.0% compared with 34.1% in the prior year primarily reflecting the higher incremental tax rate on the unusual 
items gain.  

Net income, excluding the unusual items net gain of $9.7 million after taxes, increased 32% to $26.9 million.  

Results of Operations:  
Fiscal 1997 Compared to Fiscal 1996  

The Company continued to expand its global operations and grow its core businesses.  

In fiscal 1997, the Company acquired a 90% interest in the German-based VCH Publishing Group ("VCH") through the purchase of 90% of the 
shares of VCH Verlagsgesellschaft mbH for approximately $99 million in cash. VCH is a leading scientific, technical and professional 
publisher of journals and books in such disciplines as chemistry, architecture, and civil engineering. During the year, the Company also 
acquired various newsletters including the publishing assets of Technical Insights, Inc., a publisher of print and electronic newsletters in 
various areas of science and technology, for purchase prices aggregating $4.7 million.  

Revenues for the year advanced 19% to $432.0 million. Excluding VCH, revenues increased 6% over the prior year driven by the Company's 
scientific, technical, and medical journal programs; by its college division; and by its international operations. The Company's worldwide 
scientific, technical, and medical publishing revenues advanced 36% over the prior year, and 9% excluding VCH. Educational publishing 
revenues increased 7% and professional/trade revenues increased marginally over the prior year. Similar to the experience of other companies 
in the trade publishing markets, professional/trade results were adversely affected by a change in a small number of domestic wholesalers and 
retailers to just-in-time inventory management policies, which also resulted in higher returns.  

Cost of sales as a percentage of revenues was 35.9% in 1997 compared with 34.9% in the prior year primarily reflecting increased author 
royalties and inventory write-offs.  

Operating and administrative expenses excluding VCH increased by 3.6% over the prior year. Expenses declined as a percentage of revenues to 
54.1% in 1997 from 54.7%, as the rate of growth in expenses was contained at less than the revenue growth rate.  

Operating income increased 6% over the prior year to $34.8 million primarily due to the effects of the higher revenue base. Operating income 
margins declined to 8.1% of revenue from 9.1% in the prior year primarily due to the amortization of intangibles related to the VCH 

acquisition.  

Interest expense increased by $5.8 million due to the financing costs related to the VCH acquisition. Interest income decreased by $3.9 million 
primarily as a result of interest received in the prior year on the favorable resolution of amended tax return claims amounting to $4.4 million.  

The effective tax rate was 34.1% compared with 36.4% in the prior year primarily due to higher tax benefits related to the foreign sales 
corporation and lower state and local income taxes.  

Net income declined $4.3 million to $20.3 million primarily due to VCH's acquisition related financing and amortization costs in the current 
year, as well as the special income item in the prior year of $2.6 million after taxes, equal to $.16 per share, related to interest received on the 
resolution of amended tax return claims.  

Liquidity and Capital Resources  

The Company's cash and cash equivalents balance was $127.4 million at the end of fiscal 1998, compared with $79.1 million at the end of the 
prior year. Cash provided by operating activities was $104.0 million in fiscal 1998, an increase of $40.1 million compared with the prior year.  

The Company's operating cash flow is strongly affected by the seasonality of its domestic college business and receipts from its journal 
subscriptions. Receipts from journal subscriptions occur primarily during November and December from companies commonly referred to as 
independent subscription agents. These companies facilitate the journal ordering process by consolidating the subscription orders/billings of 
each subscriber with various publishers. Monies are collected in advance from subscribers by the subscription agents and are remitted to the 
Company, generally prior to the commencement of the subscriptions. Although at fiscal year-end, the Company had minimal credit risk 
exposure to these agents, future calendar year subscription receipts from these agents are highly dependent on their financial position and 
liquidity. Subscription agents account for approximately 26% of total consolidated revenues and no one agent accounts for more than 6% of 
total consolidated revenues.  

Sales to the domestic college market tend to be concentrated in June through August, and again in November through January. Cash 
disbursements for inventory are relatively large during the spring in anticipation of these college sales. The Company normally requires 
increased funds for working capital from the beginning of the fiscal year into September. Subject to variations that may be caused by 
fluctuations in inventory accumulation or in patterns of customer payments, the Company's normal operating cash flow is not expected to vary 
materially in the near term.  

To finance its short-term seasonal working capital requirements and its growth opportunities, the Company has adequate cash and cash 
equivalents available, as well as both domestic and foreign short-term lines of credit, as more fully described in the note to the consolidated 
financial statements entitled "Notes Payable and Debt."  

The capital expenditures of the Company consist primarily of investments in product development and property and equipment. Capital 
expenditures for fiscal 1999 are expected to increase approximately 25% over 1998, primarily representing increased investments in product 
development, including electronic media products, and computer equipment upgrades to support the higher volume of business to ensure 
efficient, quality-driven customer service. These investments will be funded primarily from internal cash generation or from the liquidation of 
cash equivalents.  

Effects of Inflation and Cost Increases  

Although the impact of inflation is somewhat minimized, as the business does not require a high level of investment in property and equipment, 
the Company does experience continuing cost increases reflecting, in part, general inflationary factors. To mitigate the effects of cost increases, 
the Company has taken a number of initiatives including various steps to lower overall production and manufacturing costs including 
substitution of paper grades. In addition, selling prices have been selectively increased as competitive conditions permit. The Company 
anticipates that it will be able to continue this approach in the future. Paper prices continued to decline during fiscal 1998.  

Year 2000 Issues  

The Company substantially completed the review of its systems and products to determine the extent and impact of the year 2000 issues, and 
has begun implementing the needed changes. Since many of the Company's systems are new and were designed to accommodate the year 2000 
coding when originally installed, the year 2000 issues should not have a material adverse impact on the Company's operations. It is anticipated 
that any corrective measures required will be completed by mid-year of calendar 1999.  

New Accounting Standards  

The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued the following Statements of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS"), which become 
effective for the Company's fiscal 1999 financial statements: SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," which requires disclosure of 
comprehensive income and its components, as defined; SFAS No. 131, "Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information," 
which requires certain financial and descriptive information about a company's reportable operating statements; and SFAS No. 132, 
"Employers' Disclosures about Pensions and other Postretirement Benefits," which requires additional disclosures relating to a company's 
pension and postretirement benefit plans. In the opinion of the Company's management, the adoption of these new accounting standards may 
require additional disclosures but should not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.  

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the  
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995  

This report contains certain forward-looking statements concerning the Company's operations, performance, and financial condition. Reliance 
should not be placed on forward-looking statements, as actual results may differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements. Any 
such forward-looking statements are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to uncertainties and 
contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, and are subject to change based on many important factors. Such factors 
include but are not limited to (i) the pace, acceptance, and level of investment in emerging new electronic technologies and products;  
(ii) subscriber renewal rates for the Company's journals; (iii) the consolidation of the retail book trade market; (iv) the seasonal nature of the 
Company's educational business and the impact of the used book market; (v) worldwide economic and political conditions; and (vi) other 
factors detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and Subsidiaries  

Results by Quarter (Unaudited)  

Dollars in thousands except per share data  

                               1998                 1997 
---------------------- -------------------- ------------------- 
Revenues 
   First quarter           $  112,086            $   99,217 
   Second quarter             115,886               107,070 
   Third quarter              124,350               118,105 
   Fourth quarter             114,759               107,582 
 ---------------------- -------------------- ------------------- 
   Fiscal year             $  467,081           $   431,974 
 ---------------------- -------------------- ------------------- 
Operating Income 
   First quarter           $  13,711            $   11,716 
   Second quarter             10,326                 7,189 
   Third quarter              31,806 (a)            11,913 
   Fourth quarter              6,313                 3,979 
 ---------------------- -------------------- ------------------- 
   Fiscal year             $  62,156 (a)        $   34,797 
 ---------------------- -------------------- ------------------- 
Net Income 
   First quarter           $   8,082            $    7,229 
   Second quarter              5,639                 3,494 
   Third quarter              18,638 (a)             6,731 
   Fourth quarter              4,229                 2,886 
 ---------------------- -------------------- ------------------- 
   Fiscal year             $  36,588 (a)        $   20,340 
 ---------------------- -------------------- ------------------- 

Income Per Share         Diluted       Basic      Diluted       Basic 
                        ---------   ----------   ---------   ---------- 
   First quarter        $   .49      $  .51       $  .44      $  .45 
   Second quarter           .34         .36          .21         .22 
   Third quarter           1.12 (a)    1.18 (a)      .41         .43 
   Fourth quarter           .25         .27          .18         .18 
   Fiscal year          $  2.22 (a)  $ 2.32 (a)   $ 1.24      $ 1.29 
 ---------------------- ---------   ----------   ---------   ---------- 

(a) Includes unusual items amounting to a pretax gain of $16,893, or $9,713 after tax, equal to $0.59 per diluted share ($0.62 per basic share) 
relating to the gain on the sale of the domestic law publishing program, net of a write-down of certain intangible assets and other items.  

Quarterly Share Prices, Dividends and Related Stockholder Matters  

The Company's Class A and Class B shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols JWA and JWB, respectively. 
Dividends per share and the market price range by fiscal quarter for the past two fiscal years were as follows:  
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock  
Market Price Market Price Divi- -------------- Divi- ---------------  

                  dends   High    Low    dends   High     Low 
                 ------- ------ ------- ------- -------  ------- 
1998 
First quarter    $.1125  $34.50 $29.88  $.1000  $35.00  $30.00 
Second quarter    .1125   44.38  31.50   .1000   44.25   31.63 
Third quarter     .1125   57.00  44.06   .1000   56.38   44.50 
Fourth quarter    .1125   56.00  49.31   .1000   56.00   49.06 
---------------- ------- ------ ------- ------- ------- ------- 
1997 
First quarter    $  .10  $35.13 $27.50  $.0875  $34.75  $28.75 
Second quarter      .10   30.75  27.75   .0875   30.50   28.00 
Third quarter       .10   32.25  27.50   .0875   32.00   27.50 
Fourth quarter      .10   31.88  28.13   .0875   31.25   28.75 
---------------- ------- ------ ------- ------- ------- ------- 

As of April 30, 1998, the approximate number of holders of the Company's Class A and Class B Common Stock were 1,274 and 191, 
respectively, based on the holders of record and other information available to the Company.  

The Company's credit agreement contains certain restrictive covenants related to the payment of dividends and share repurchases. Under the 
most restrictive covenant, approximately $71 million was available for such restricted payments. Subject to the foregoing, the Board of 
Directors considers quarterly the payment of cash dividends based upon its review of earnings, the financial position of the Company, and other 
relevant factors.  

 
 
 
 
Selected Financial Data  

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and Subsidiaries 
Dollars  in  thousands  except per share data             For the years ended April 30 
                                          ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                1998          1997           1996           1995           1994 
----------------------------------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- 
Revenues                                     $467,081      $431,974       $362,704       $331,091       $294,289 
Operating Income                               62,156 (a)    34,797         32,955         26,879         18,883 
Net Income                                     36,588 (a)    20,340         24,680 (b))    18,311         12,117 
Working Capital                                59,257        39,783         31,515         11,241         35,059 
Total Assets                                  506,914       457,944        284,501        247,481        243,940 
Long-Term Debt                                125,000       125,000             --             --         26,000 
Shareholders' Equity                          160,751       128,983        117,982         98,832         82,330 
----------------------------------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- 
Per Share Data 

Income Per Share 
     Diluted                                    2.22 (a)      1.24           1.49           1.12            .76 
     Basic                                      2.32 (a)      1.29           1.55           1.16            .78 

Cash Dividends 

     Class A Common                              .45           .40            .35            .31            .275 
     Class B Common                              .40           .35            .31            .275           .245 
     Book Value-End of Year                    10.05          8.11           7.32           6.21           5.23 
-------------------------------------------------- 

(a) Fiscal 1998 includes unusual items amounting to a pretax gain of $16,893, or $9,713 after tax, equal to $0.59 per diluted share ($0.62 per 
basic share) relating to the gain on the sale of the domestic law publishing program, net of a write-down of certain intangible assets and other 
items. Excluding the unusual items, operating income would have been $45,263 and net income would have been $26,875, or $1.63 per diluted 
share and $1.70 per basic share.  

(b) Fiscal 1996 net income includes interest income after taxes of $2.6 million, or $0.16 per diluted and basic share, received on the favorable 
resolution of amended tax return claims.  

 
 
 
 
Schedule II  

JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS  
FOR THE YEARS ENDED APRIL 30, 1998, 1997 AND 1996  

(Dollars in Thousands)  

                                                                    Additions 
                                                          ------------------------------ 
                                             Balance at     Charged to                     Deductions     Balance at 
               Description                   Beginning        Cost &           From           From          End of 
                                             of Period       Expenses      Acquisitions     Reserves        Period 
------------------------------------------- ------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- 
Year Ended April 30, 1998 
      Allowance for sales returns(1)           $ 27,099     $   32,945      $              $  26,633       $   33,411 
     Allowance for doubtful accounts           $  7,414     $    3,445      $              $   2,694(2)    $    8,165 

Year Ended April 30, 1997 
     Allowance for sales returns(1)            $ 20,786     $   26,396      $      357     $  20,440       $   27,099 
     Allowance for doubtful accounts           $  6,049     $    2,591      $    1,548     $   2,774(2)    $    7,414 

Year Ended April 30, 1996 
     Allowance for sales returns(1)            $ 17,519     $   17,744                     $  14,477       $   20,786 
     Allowance for doubtful accounts           $  5,114     $    5,499                     $   4,564(2)    $    6,049 
------------------------------------------------ 

(1) Allowance for sales returns represents anticipated returns net of inventory and royalty costs.  

(2) Accounts written off, less recoveries.  

 
 
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be 
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.  

SIGNATURES  

JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.  
(Company)  

                                        By:  /s/  William J. Pesce 
                                             ----------------------------------- 
                                                  William J. Pesce 
                                                  President and Chief Executive 
                                                  Officer 

                                        By:  /s/  Robert D. Wilder 
                                             ----------------------------------- 
                                                  Robert D. Wilder 
                                                  Executive Vice President and 
                                                  Chief Financial & Support 
                                                  Operations Officer 

                                        By:  /s/  Peter W. Clifford 
                                             ----------------------------------- 
                                                  Peter W. Clifford 
                                                  Senior Vice President, Finance 
                                                  Corporate Controller 
                                                  & Chief Accounting Officer 

Dated:  June 25, 1998 

 
 
 
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons constituting 
directors of the Company on June 25, 1998.  

/s/      Franklin E. Agnew                 /s/      Henry A. McKinnell, Jr. 
----------------------------------         ------------------------------------- 
         Franklin E. Agnew                          Henry A. McKinnell, Jr. 

/s/      Warren J. Baker                   /s/      William J. Pesce 
----------------------------------         ------------------------------------- 
         Warren J. Baker                            William J. Pesce 

/s/      H. Allen Fernald                  /s/      William R. Sutherland 
----------------------------------         ------------------------------------- 
         H. Allen Fernald                           William R. Sutherland 

/s/      Gary J. Fernandes                 /s/      Thomas M. Taylor 
----------------------------------         ------------------------------------- 
         Gary J. Fernandes                          Thomas M. Taylor 

/s/      Larry Franklin 
----------------------------------         ------------------------------------- 
         Larry Franklin                             Leo J. Thomas 

/s/      John S. Herrington                /s/      Bradford Wiley II 
----------------------------------         ------------------------------------- 
         John S. Herrington                         Bradford Wiley II 

                                           /s/      Deborah E. Wiley 
----------------------------------         ------------------------------------- 
         Chester O. Macey                           Deborah E. Wiley 

                                           /s/      Peter Booth Wiley 
                                           ------------------------------------- 
                                                    Peter Booth Wiley 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.  

FY 1998 EXECUTIVE LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN  

PLAN DOCUMENT  

CONFIDENTIAL  

MAY 1, 1997  

CONTENTS  

Section Subject Page  
I. Definitions 2  
II. Plan Objectives 4  
III. Eligibility 4  
IV. Incentive 4  
V. Performance Measurement and Objectives 5  
VI. Performance Evaluation 5  
VII. Payouts 7  
VIII. Restricted Performance Shares 7  
IX. Stock Option 9  
X. Administration and Other Matters 10  

Following are definitions for words and phrases used in this document. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, these words and phrases 
are considered to be defined terms and appear in this document in italicized print:  

I. DEFINITIONS  

company  

John Wiley & Sons, Inc.  

plan  

The company's FY (Fiscal Year) 1998 Executive Long Term Incentive Plan as set forth in this document.  

shareholder plan  

The company's 1991 Key Employee Stock Plan.  

plan cycle  

The three year period from May 1, 1997 to April 30, 2000.  

executive compensation and development committee (ECDC) The committee of the company's Board of Directors (Board) responsible for 
reviewing executive compensation.  

financial goals  

The company's objectives to achieve specific financial results in terms of EBITDA and earnings per share as defined below, for the plan cycle, 
including interim revised financial goals, if any, as determined by the ECDC, the Finance Committee and the Board, and confirmed in writing.  

financial results  

The company's actual achievement against the financial goals set for the plan cycle, as reflected in the company's audited financial statements.  

participant  

Any person who is eligible and is selected to participate in the plan, as defined in Section III.  

target incentive  

The target incentive as determined and authorized by the ECDC at the committee meeting held on June 19, 1997 is a restricted performance 
shares award, which represents the number of restricted performance shares that a participant is eligible to receive if 100% of his/her applicable 
financial goals are achieved and the participant remains an employee of the company through April 30, 2002, except as otherwise provided in 
Section VIII. The target incentive is based on the participant's position and is described in Section IV.  

stock  

Class A Common Stock of the company.  

restricted performance shares  

Stock issued pursuant to this plan and the shareholder plan that is subject to forfeiture. In the shareholder plan, such stock is referred to as 
"Restricted Stock." The value of each share of restricted performance shares under this plan will be determined by reference to the stock 
closing sale price, as reported by New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), on the date the ECDC acts at the beginning of the plan cycle (June 19, 
1997). In the event the stock is not traded on June 19, 1997 or the date the ECDC acts, whichever is later, the closing sales price shall be the 
price of the stock on the next day after June 19, 1997 or the date the ECDC acts on which the stock trades.  

restricted period  

The period during which the shares of restricted performance shares shall be subject to forfeiture in whole or in part, as defined in the 
shareholder plan, in accordance with the terms of the award.  

plan end adjusted restricted performance shares award. The final amount of restricted performance shares awarded to a participant, at the end of 
the plan cycle after adjustments, if any, are made, as set forth in Section VIII.  

stock option  

A right granted to a participant, as more fully described under Section IX, to purchase a specific number of shares of stock at a specified price. 
The stock option granted under this plan will be non-qualified (i.e. is not intended to comply with the terms and conditions for a tax-qualified 
option, as set forth in  
Section 422A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).  

grant date  

The date on which a participant is granted the stock option. This is also the date on which the exercise price of the stock option is based.  

payout amount  

Cash, if any, plus plan end adjusted restricted performance shares award, as set forth in Section VIII, to a participant under this plan, if any, for 
achievement of the financial goals, as further discussed in this plan.  

performance levels  

threshold  

The minimum acceptable level of achievement for each financial goal. If threshold performance is achieved against all company financial 
goals, a participant may earn 25% of the target incentive amount for which he/she is eligible. If threshold performance is achieved against all 
divisional financial goals, a participant may earn 25% of the target incentive amount for which he/she is eligible.  

target  

Achievement in aggregate of the financial goals. Each individual financial goal is set at a level which is both challenging and achievable.  

outstanding  

Superior achievement of the financial goals. If outstanding performance is achieved against all financial goals, the maximum amount a 
participant may earn is 200% of the target incentive amount for which he/she is eligible.  

payout factor  

The percentage applied to the target incentive amount exclusive of the stock option portion, if any, to determine the payout amount based on 
the percentage of financial goals deemed achieved.  

EBITDA Income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for the final year of the plan cycle.  

earnings per share  

Earnings per share, as reported in the company's annual report for the final year of the plan cycle.  

divisional operating income  

Operating income before allocations for corporate support services and taxes, excluding the effects of any unusual activity, for the final year of 
the plan cycle.  

divisional cash flow from operations after investing activities (divisional cash flow) operating income before allocations and taxes, excluding 
unusual items not related to the period being measured, plus/minus any non-cash items included in divisional operating income (other than 
provisions for bad debts), and changes in controllable assets and liabilities, less normal investments in product development assets and direct 
property and equipment additions, for the final year of the plan cycle. Controllable assets and liabilities are inventory, composition, author 
advances, other deferred publication costs, and deferred subscription revenues.  

II. PLAN OBJECTIVES  

The purpose of this plan is to enable the company to reinforce and sustain a culture devoted to excellent performance, emphasize long term 

financial performance at the corporate and division levels, reward significant contributions to the success of the company, attract and retain 
highly qualified executives, and provide an opportunity for each participant to acquire equity in the company.  

III. ELIGIBILITY  

The participant is selected by the ECDC in its sole discretion, from among those employees in key management positions deemed able to make 
the most significant contributions to the growth and profitability of the company. An employee must be a participant of the FY 1998 Executive 
Annual Incentive Plan to be eligible to participate in this plan. The President and CEO of the company is a participant.  

IV. INCENTIVE  

A. The participant's target incentive is determined based on the participant's position in the company and the contributions the position is 
deemed able to make in achieving the financial goals of the company.  

B. The participant's target incentive is recommended by the President and CEO to the ECDC for its and the Board's approval. In the case of the 
President and CEO, the target incentive is recommended by the ECDC for the Board's approval.  

V. PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT AND OBJECTIVES  

A. The objectives for the financial goals are recommended by the ECDC with the advice of the Finance Committee to the Board for its 
approval. The financial goals performance objectives are set at a level which are challenging and achievable.  

B. Financial goals established for each participant may include one or more organizational level's financial goals (e.g. company and division), 
and one or more financial goals for a particular organizational unit (e.g. cash flow, income, divisional operating income). The weighting of and 
between the two organizational levels' financial goals may vary, depending upon the participant's position. Weighting of the participant's 
financial goals is recommended by the President and CEO to the ECDC. In the case of the President and CEO, the financial goals are EBITDA 
and earnings per share..  

C. Threshold, target and outstanding performance levels for the financial goals are recommended by the President and CEO for approval by the 
ECDC, and the Board.  

VI. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION  

A. Financial Results  
1. Actual financial results achieved by the company and by each division will be calculated at the end of the plan cycle, subject to adjustment 
for audited results, and will be compared with the previously set financial goals.  

2. The financial results will be reviewed by the President and CEO to determine proposed payout factors for the company and for the divisions. 

3. The President and CEO will provide to the ECDC a view of the company's achievement of its financial goals, as well as divisional 
achievement of like objectives, if any, and will recommend payout factors to be used for the company and divisional objectives.  

B. Award Determination  

1. At least threshold performance, in aggregate, of a participant's particular organizational level's objectives is necessary for the participant to 
receive a payout for the particular organizational level. However, once the overall threshold is achieved for any single measure the non-
achievement of any one particular goal's target objective does not preclude a payout.  

2. The determination of the performance level achievement (threshold, target and outstanding, or points in between) for each organizational 
level's financial goals will be made independently of any other organizational level's financial goals a participant may have.  

3. If the participant has more than one organizational level's financial goals, the non-achievement of a threshold performance level of one 
organizational level's financial goals does not preclude a payout for the other organizational level's financial goals.  

4. The following details the effect of the financial results performance levels on a participant's payout amount. The actual payout factors will be 
in the sole judgment and discretion of the ECDC, taking into account the following guidelines:  

a. For below threshold performance in aggregate, the payout amount is zero.  

b. For company threshold performance in aggregate, 25% of the target incentive may be recommended. For divisional threshold performance in 
aggregate, 25% of the target incentive may be recommended  

c. For between company threshold and target performance in aggregate, at minimum 25% of the target incentive and up to 100% of the target 
incentive may be recommended. For between divisional threshold and target performance in aggregate, at minimum 25% of the target incentive 
and up to 100% of the target incentive may be recommended.  

d. For target performance in aggregate, 100% of the target incentive may be recommended.  

e. For between target and outstanding performance in aggregate, at minimum 100% of the target incentive and up to 200% of the target 
incentive may be recommended.  

f. For outstanding performance in aggregate, 200% of the target incentive may be recommended.  

5. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the maximum payout amount, if any, a participant may receive is 200% of the target incentive.  

VII PAYOUTS  

A. The restricted performance shares payout amount, if any, will be made as set forth in Section VIII below. The determination by the ECDC 
of plan end adjusted restricted performance shares shall constitute payout of this portion of the award.  

B. The ECDC, in its sole discretion, may direct that the payout be made wholly or partly in cash.  

C. In the event of a participant's death, permanent disability, retirement or leave of absence prior to the end of the plan cycle, restricted 
performance shares awarded at the beginning of the plan cycle, if any, are forfeited, and the payout amount, if any, will be determined by the 
ECDC in its sole discretion.  

D. A participant who resigns, or whose employment is terminated by the company, with or without cause, prior to the end of the plan cycle, is 
not eligible for a payout amount and shall forfeit any restricted performance shares awarded at the beginning of the plan cycle.  

VIII. RESTRICTED PERFORMANCE SHARES AWARD PROVISIONS  

A. Since one of the objectives of this plan is to provide the participant with an equity stake in the company and align management and 
shareholder interests, the target incentive will be awarded as restricted performance shares .  

B. Restricted performance shares, if any, shall be awarded at the beginning of the plan cycle, after the June, 1997 ECDC meeting. The amount 
of restricted performance shares awarded shall be based on the proportion of the target incentive allocated to restricted performance shares, as 
determined by the ECDC. The value of each share will be determined based on the stock closing sale price, as reported by the NYSE, on the 
date the ECDC acts at the beginning of the plan cycle (June 19, 1997). In the event the stock is not traded on June 19, 1997 or the date the 
ECDC acts, whichever is later, the closing sales price shall be the price of the stock on the next day after June 19, 1997 or the date the ECDC 
acts on which the stock trades, whichever is later. The restricted performance shares awarded at the beginning of the plan cycle also are subject 
to adjustment at the end of the plan cycle as set forth in Sections VIII (C) and (D) below. Restricted performance shares, if any, shall be 
awarded pursuant to the shareholder plan, as approved by the ECDC. In addition to the terms and conditions set forth in the shareholder plan 
and Section VII (D) and (E) below, the following conditions shall apply:  

1. During the plan cycle, the participant shall not have the right to receive dividends or - other distributions with respect to restricted 
performance shares received at the beginning of the plan cycle and shall not have the right to vote such shares. After the end of the plan cycle, 
and after all adjustments to the amount of restricted performance shares are made by the ECDC as set forth in Section VII(D) and (E) below, 
the participant shall have the right to receive dividends or other distributions with respect to the final amount of restricted performance shares 
issued and shall have the right to vote such shares. The date on which the dividend and voting rights shall commence is the date on which the 
ECDC makes its determination of the final number of restricted performance shares awarded after the plan cycle ends pursuant to Section VII
(D) and (E) below. 2. During the restricted period, the restricted performance shares may not be sold or transferred. Restricted performance 
shares shall be legended and held by the Company.  

3. Withholding taxes relating to restricted performance shares awarded may be satisfied by surrendering shares to the company, in lieu of cash, 
upon lapse of the restrictions.  

4. The restricted period for restricted performance shares awarded shall be as follows: subject to continued employment except as otherwise set 
forth in the shareholder plan or Sections VII and VIII of this plan, the lapse of restrictions on one-half of the restricted performance shares 
awarded will occur on the first anniversary (April 30, 2001) of the plan end date at which time the participant will receive a new stock 
certificate in a number of shares equal to one-half of the restricted performance shares awarded with the restrictive legend deleted, and the 
lapse of restrictions on the remaining half will occur on the second anniversary (April 30, 2002) of the plan end date at which time the 
participant will receive a new stock certificate in a number of shares equal to the remaining half with the restrictive legend deleted.  

5. If the participant dies or becomes permanently disabled during the restricted period, the restrictions on the restricted performance shares will 
lapse on the date of such event.  

6. If the participant retires during the restricted period at or after his/her normal retirement date, the restrictions on the restricted performance 
shares will lapse on the date of such event.  

7. If the participant takes early retirement during the restricted period, the restrictions on the restricted performance shares will not lapse until 
the restricted period expires. If the participant dies between the time the participant takes early retirement and the end of the restricted period 
(April 30, 2002), the lapse of restrictions on the restricted performance shares will occur on the date of such event.  

8. The restricted performance shares may be adjusted by the ECDC for any change in the capital stock of the company, as provided in Section 
II of the shareholder plan and are in all respects subject to the provisions of that plan.  

9. In the event of a change of control, whether before or after the end of the plan cycle, as defined in the shareholder plan, all shares of 
restricted performance shares which would otherwise remain subject to restrictions under the plan shall be free of such restrictions.  

C. The number of shares of restricted performance shares awarded at the beginning of the plan cycle, may be adjusted at the end of the plan 
cycle based on actual achievement of target objectives.  

D. The final amount of restricted performance shares will be determined as follows: The restricted performance shares established by the 
ECDC at the beginning of the plan cycle times the payout factor equals the number of shares for the plan end adjusted restricted performance 
shares award. The result of this calculation will be compared to the restricted performance shares awarded at the beginning of the plan cycle, 
and the appropriate amount of restricted performance shares will be awarded or forfeited, as required, to bring the restricted performance shares 
award to the number of shares designated as the plan end adjusted restricted performance shares award.  

IX. STOCK OPTION  

The participant may be granted a stock option pursuant to the shareholder plan at the beginning of the plan cycle, representing another 
incentive vehicle by which the participant is able to share in the equity growth of the company. The number of shares in the stock option 
granted to a participant under this plan is based on a set of variables and assumptions, applied consistently to all participants, regarding the 
monetary value a participant might receive upon exercise of the stock option. The terms and conditions of the award of the stock option are 
contained in the shareholder plan and in the stock option award. Withholding taxes relating to the gain realized on the exercise of an option 
may be satisfied by surrendering to the company the equivalent value of the taxes, or a portion thereof, in option shares in lieu of cash.  

X. ADMINISTRATION AND OTHER MATTERS  

A. This plan will be administered by the ECDC, who will have authority in its sole discretion to interpret and administer this plan, including, 
without limitation, all questions regarding eligibility and status of any participant, and no participant shall have any right to receive any 
restricted performance shares or payment of any kind whatsoever, except as determined by the ECDC hereunder.  

B. The company will have no obligation to reserve or otherwise fund in advance any amount which may become payable under the plan.  

C. Restricted performance shares, stock options awarded and any cash paid out under this plan shall not be considered as compensation for 
purposes of defining compensation for retirement, savings or supplemental executive retirement plans, or similar type plans.  

D. This plan may not be modified or amended except with the approval of the ECDC. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Section VIII B (8) shall 
not be amended.  

E. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this plan and the provisions of the shareholder plan, the provisions of the shareholder 
plan shall apply.  

JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.  

FY 1998 EXECUTIVE ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN  

PLAN DOCUMENT  

CONFIDENTIAL  

MAY 1, 1997  

CONTENTS  

Section Subject Page  
I. Definitions 2  
II. Plan Objectives 3  
III. Eligibility 3  
IV. Performance Objectives and Measurement 3  
V. Performance Evaluation 4  
VI. Payouts 6  
VII. Status Changes 6  
VIII. Administration and Other Matters 6  

Following are definitions for words and phrases used in this document. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, these words and phrases 
are considered to be defined terms and appear in this document in italicized print:  

I. DEFINITIONS  

company  

John Wiley & Sons, Inc.  

plan  

The company's FY (Fiscal Year) 1998 Executive Annual Incentive Plan described in this document and any written amendments to this 
document.  

plan year  

The twelve month period from May 1, 1997 to April 30, 1998.  

executive compensation and development committee (ECDC)  

The committee of the company's Board of Directors (Board) responsible for reviewing executive compensation.  

financial goals  

A participant's objective to achieve specific financial results for FY 1998, including interim revised financial goals, if any, as approved and 
communicated in writing, as described in Sections IV and V below.  

financial results  

Total company or division achievement against financial goals set for FY 1998.  

strategic milestone  

A participant's objective to achieve specific results for FY 1998, including interim revised strategic milestones, if any, as approved and 
communicated in writing, as described in Sections IV and V below. Strategic milestones are leading indicators of performance.  

participant  

Any person who is eligible to and is selected to participate in the plan, as defined in Section III.  

base salary  

The participant's total amount of base salary, calculated as follows: base salary as of June 2,1997, or the date of hire, or promotion into the 
plan, if later, adjusted for any increases or decreases during FY 1998, on a prorated basis and adjusted for any amount of time the participant 
may not be in the plan for reasons of hire, promotion, death, disability, retirement and/or termination.  

payout  

Actual gross dollar amount paid to a participant under the plan, if any, for achievement of financial goals and strategic milestones, as further 
discussed in this plan.  

target incentive percent  

The percent applied to the participant's base salary to determine the target incentive amount.  

target incentive amount  

The amount, if any, that a participant is eligible to receive if a participant achieves 100% of his/her financial goals and strategic milestones. The 
incentive for financial goals should constitute at least 70% of the target incentive amount for the participant.  

performance levels  

threshold The minimum acceptable level of achievement of each financial goal and strategic milestone. If threshold performance is achieved 
against all financial goals and strategic milestones, a participant may earn 25% of the target incentive amount for which he/she is eligible.  

target Achievement in aggregate of target financial goals and strategic milestones. Each individual financial goal and strategic milestone is set 
at a level which is both challenging and achievable.  

outstanding Superior achievement of financial goals and strategic milestones, both in quality and scope, with limited time and resources. If 
outstanding performance is achieved against all financial goals and strategic milestones, the maximum amount a participant may earn is 175% 
of the target incentive amount.  

payout factor Percentage of financial goals and strategic milestones deemed achieved, used to determine the payout for which a participant is 
eligible.  

II. PLAN OBJECTIVES  

The purpose of the FY 1998 Executive Annual Incentive Plan is to enable the company to reinforce and sustain a culture devoted to excellent 
performance, emphasize performance at the corporate and division levels, reward significant contributions to the success of Wiley, and attract 
and retain highly qualified executives.  

III. ELIGIBILITY  

The participant is selected by the President and CEO of the company, from among those employees in key management positions deemed able 
to make the most significant contributions to the growth and profitability of the company, with the approval of the ECDC. The President and 
CEO of the company is a participant.  

IV. PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES AND MEASUREMENT  

The plan employs two categories of objectives for performance measurement:  
financial goals and strategic milestones. The weighting of and between the two measures may vary, depending upon the participant's position. 
Weighting is recommended by the participant's manager and approved by the President and CEO, if the President and CEO is not the 
participant's manager.  

A. Financial Goals  

1. Financial goals for the company are determined near the beginning of the plan year by the President and CEO. The President and CEO's 
goals are reviewed and approved by the Finance Committee of the Board and ECDC, and approved by the Board.  

2. Financial goals are set for the company as a whole and for each division and may be revised in the interim, as appropriate. The participant 
will be given specific financial goals, based on an appropriate mix of company and/or division objectives.  

3. Financial goals include defining levels of performance (threshold, target and outstanding) and the measures of each.  

B. Strategic Milestones  

1. Strategic milestones are non-financial individual objectives over which the participant has a large measure of control, which lead to, or are 
expected to lead to improved performance for the company in the future. Strategic milestones are determined near the beginning of the plan 
year by the participant, and approved by the participant's manager, if the President and CEO is not the participant's manager.  

2. The strategic milestones for the President and CEO are reviewed and approved by the Executive and Policy Committee of the Board and by 
the Board.  

3. The strategic milestones for the President and CEO should be appropriately reflected in those of all other employees at all levels. Each 
participant collaborates with his/her manager in setting strategic milestones. The strategic milestones may be revised in the interim, as 
appropriate.  

4. The determination of strategic milestones includes defining a target level of performance and the measure of such, and may include defining 
threshold and outstanding levels of performance and the measures of such.  

V. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION  

A. Financial Results  

1. Actual financial results achieved by the company and by each group and division will be calculated at the end of the plan year, subject to 
adjustment for audited results, and will be compared with previously set financial goals.  

2. Actual financial results will be reviewed by the participant's manager and the President and CEO and a payout factor determined. The payout 
factor is based on a judgment of the relative importance of financial results and the achievement compared to the financial goals. This payout 
factor is subject to the review and approval of the President and CEO. The ECDC will evaluate the President and CEO's financial results and 
will recommend to the Board his/her financial results payout factor.  

B. Strategic Milestones  

1. Achievement of a participant's strategic milestones will be determined at the end of the plan year by comparing results achieved to 
previously set objectives.  

2. Each participant's manager will recommend a payout factor for achievement of all strategic milestones compared with the previously set 
objectives. In determining the payout factor, the overall performance on all strategic milestones will be considered. This payout factor is 
subject to the review and approval of the President and CEO, the ECDC and the Board. The ECDC will recommend to the Board for approval 
the payout factor for the President and CEO's achievement of his/her strategic milestones based on the Executive and Policy Committee of the 
Board's evaluation of his/her achievement compared with the previously set objectives.  

C. Award Determination  

1. Financial goals, established for each participant, may include one or more organizational level's financial goals (e.g. company and division), 
and one or more financial goal for a particular organizational unit. At least threshold performance, in aggregate, of a participant's particular 
organizational level is necessary for the participant to receive a payout for the particular organizational level. However, once the overall 
threshold is achieved, the non-achievement of any one particular financial goal's target objective does not preclude a payout for all the 
participant's financial goals.  

2. At least threshold performance of a financial goal for any of the operating units for which he/she is responsible is required for a payout of 
strategic milestones to be made to the participant. The CEO has the right to override this provision if he feels such action is warranted.  

3. Payout eligibility will be determined by calculating the amount for achievement of financial goals and strategic milestones and adding the 
two together, as follows:  

EAIP PAYOUT ELIGIBILITY CALCULATION  

FINANCIAL RESULTS PAYOUT AMOUNT  

Base Salary X Target Incentive Percent  

X Weighting of Financial Goals X Payout Factor  

= Financial Goals Payout Eligibility  

STRATEGIC MILESTONES PAYOUT AMOUNT  

Base Salary X Target Incentive Percent  

X Weighting of Strategic Milestones X Payout Factor  

= Strategic Milestones Payout Eligibility  

EAIP PAYOUT ELIGIBILITY  

Financial Goals Payout Amount + Strategic Milestones Payout Amount  

= EAIP Payout Eligibility  

4. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the maximum payout, if any, a participant may receive is 175% of the target incentive amount.  

5. The foregoing EAIP payout eligibility calculation is intended to set forth general guidelines on how awards are to be determined. The 
purpose of this plan is to motivate the participant to perform in an outstanding manner. The President and CEO has discretion under this plan to 
take into consideration the contribution of the participant, the participant's management of his/her organizational unit and other relevant factors, 
positive or negative, which impact the company's, the participant's organizational unit(s), and the participant's performance overall in 
determining whether to recommend granting or denying an award, and the amount of the award, if any. If the participant is the President and 
CEO, such discretion is to be exercised by the ECDC and the Board.  

VI. PAYOUTS  

Payouts will be made within 90 days after the end of the plan year and will be based on audited financial results.  

VII. STATUS CHANGES  

A. In the event of a participant's death, disability, retirement or leave of absence prior to payout from the plan, the payout, if any, will be 
determined by the President and CEO in his/her sole discretion, subject to any approval of the ECDC in its sole discretion, subject to any 
required Board approvals. If the participant is the President and CEO, such approval is required by the Board, in its sole discretion.  

B. A participant who resigns, or whose employment is terminated by the company, with or without cause, before payout from the plan is 
distributed, will not receive a payout. Exception to this provision shall be made only with the approval of the ECDC, in its sole discretion, 
subject to any required Board approvals. If the participant is the President and CEO, such approval is required by the Board in its sole 
discretion.  

C. A participant who transfers between divisions of the company, will have his/her payout prorated to the nearest fiscal quarter for the time 
spent in each division, based on the achievement of financial goals and strategic milestones established for the position in each division, and 
based upon a judgment of the participant's contribution to the achievement of goals in each position, including interim revisions, if appropriate.  

D. A participant who is appointed to a position with a different target incentive percent will have his/her payout prorated to the nearest fiscal 
quarter for the time spent in each position, based on the achievement of financial goals and strategic milestones established for each position.  

E. A participant who is hired or promoted into an eligible position during the plan year may receive a prorated payout as determined by the 
President and CEO, in his/her sole discretion, subject to the approval of the ECDC.  

VIII. ADMINISTRATION AND OTHER MATTERS  

A. The plan is effective for the plan year. It will terminate, subject to payout, if any, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this 
plan unless renewed by the company in writing in its sole discretion.  

B. This plan will be administered by the President and CEO, who will have authority to interpret and administer this plan, including, without 
limitation, all questions regarding eligibility and status of the participant, subject to the approval of the ECDC required under this plan or the 
by-laws of the company.  

C. This plan may be withdrawn, amended or modified at any time, and for any reason, in writing, in the company's sole discretion.  

D. The determination of an award and payout under this plan, if any, is subject to the approval of the President and CEO, the ECDC, and the 
Board in their sole discretion. This plan does not confer upon any participant the right to receive any payout, or payment of any kind 
whatsoever.  

E. No participant shall have any vested rights under this plan. This plan does not constitute a contract.  

F. All deductions and other withholdings required by law shall be made to the participant's payout, if any.  

SENIOR EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT  

AGREEMENT made as of the 8th day of January, 1998, by and between John Wiley & Sons, Inc., a New York corporation, with offices at 605 
Third Avenue, New York, New York 10158 (hereinafter referred to as the "Corporation"), and William J. Pesce presently residing at 2 Heath 
Drive, Basking Ridge, New Jersey 07920 (hereinafter referred to as the "Executive").  

Executive is presently employed as Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation. The Corporation and Executive desire to enter into an 
agreement of employment on the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth, contingent on the election of the Executive, by the 
Board of Directors of the Company ("Board"), as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation  

W I T N E S S E T H :  

NOW THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:  

1. Employment.  

1.1 Effective May 1, 1998 or on such other date as the Board may determine (the "Effective Date") and contingent on the election of Executive 
by the Board, the Corporation hereby employs Executive as President and Chief Executive Officer.  

1.2 Executive hereby accepts such employment and shall devote his full business time, attention, knowledge and skills faithfully, diligently and 
to the best of his ability to the performance of his duties. Executive shall do such traveling as may be reasonably required of him in the 
performance of his duties. Executive shall be subject to and shall observe and carry out such reasonable rules, regulations, policies, directions 
and restrictions consistent with the duties to be performed by him hereunder as the Corporation shall from time to time establish.  

1.3 If at any time during the term of employment the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall, without his consent, and other than for cause 
or on account of death, disability or retirement, fail to re-elect Executive as President and Chief Executive Officer or shall remove him from 
such office, Executive shall have the right, exercisable by written notice to the Corporation within ten business days after the occurrence of 
such failure to re-elect or removal, to terminate his services hereunder, effective as of the last day of the month of receipt by the Corporation of 
any such written notice, and Executive shall have no further obligation under this Agreement. Termination of Executive's services under this 
Section shall be treated as a termination of employment by the Corporation other than for cause and shall be governed by the provisions of 
Section 5.2 of this Agreement.  

1.4 Executive shall not be entitled to compensation other than the compensation provided for (or otherwise referred to) in this Agreement for 
any services he may render as a director or officer of any of the Corporation's subsidiaries.  

1.5 Executive shall not without the prior written approval of the Corporation accept employment or compensation from or perform services of 
any nature for any business enterprise other than the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or joint-venture entities.  

1.6 Executive shall not without the prior written approval of the Corporation invest in any business enterprise -  

1.6.1 if such enterprise engages in or involves a "Restricted Business" as that term is hereinafter defined in Section 7.1;  

1.6.2 if such investment interferes with the performance of Executive's duties hereunder; or  

1.6.3 if such investment would violate the Corporation's announced business policy with respect to employee interests in suppliers of goods or 
services to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries.  

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may invest in securities of any company if such securities are listed for trading on a national stock 
exchange or traded on the over-the-counter market and Executive's investment therein represents less than one percent (1%) of the total number 
of outstanding shares of the class of shares or outstanding principal amount of the class of other securities of such company, as the case may be. 

1.7 Executive shall not without the prior written approval of the Corporation serve on the board of directors of any business enterprise other 
than the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries.  

2. Term.  

2.1 Executive's term of employment hereunder shall commence as of the Effective Date and shall continue through April 30, 2001, unless 
sooner terminated in accordance with this Agreement, and thereafter as herein provided. Executive's term of employment shall automatically 
renew for subsequent three year terms, the first of which would begin on May 1, 2001, subject to the terms of this Agreement, unless either 
party gives written notice 30 days or more prior to the expiration of the then existing term of his or its decision not to renew. Failure by the 
Corporation to renew, although not a termination by the Corporation without cause or for cause, shall for purposes of the benefits intended to 
be provided to Executive (and the obligations of Executive under  
Section 5.5) be deemed to constitute a termination without cause.  

3. Compensation.  

3.1 As compensation for his services hereunder, the Corporation shall pay Executive a base salary at the rate of four hundred fifty thousand ($ 
450,000) Dollars per annum, subject to increase as hereinbelow provided, payable in equal installments no less frequently than monthly.  

3.2 Executive shall be eligible to participate in all of the Corporation's executive compensation plans in which senior executives are eligible to 
participate, including but not limited to the Executive Annual Incentive Plan ("EAIP"), the Executive Long Term Incentive Plan ("ELTIP"), or 
equivalents, for so long as such plans remain in effect and shall also be entitled to all of his other presently existing employment benefits and 
perquisites or equivalents.  

3.3 Executive's compensation shall be reviewed periodically in accordance with procedures and policies established by the Corporation for 
salary review of its officers.  

3.4 To the extent coverage is not duplicative of that provided under an executive compensation plan in which Executive is eligible to 
participate, Executive shall be included to the extent eligible under any and all plans providing benefits generally for the Corporation's 
employees, including, but not limited to, pension, group life insurance, hospitalization, medical and disability plans. The Corporation shall not, 
however, be under any obligation to continue the existence of any executive compensation or other employee benefit plan referred to in Section 
3.2 or this Section 3.4.  

3.5 The Governance and Compensation Committee (the "Committee") intends, at a meeting or by unanimous written consent of the Committee 
on or about the Effective Date, to grant to Executive under the 1991 Key Employee Stock Plan, an option to purchase 75,000 shares of Class A 
Common Stock of the Corporation, at the market price on the date of grant, vesting as to all such shares on the fifth anniversary of the date of 
grant, and otherwise in the form of grant customarily used by Company for such options (the "Option"). The Option is in addition to, and shall 
not be part of or affect the ELTIP, as applicable to Executive.  

3.6 Subject to the next sentence of this Section 3.6, (i) should the Option not be timely granted, or should the Corporation cease to provide 
incentive compensation plans in which Executive is eligible to participate, substantially similar to those described in Section 3.2 above, and of 
a value, in the aggregate, to Executive substantially similar to that of the present plans, Executive shall have the right to terminate his services 
hereunder, exercisable by written notice to the Corporation within ten business days after the Effective Date, or after the cessation of such 
plans, as applicable, effective as of the last day of the month of receipt by the Corporation of any such notice, and Executive shall have no 
further obligation of any kind under or arising out of this Agreement. Should a circumstance or event not within the reasonable contemplation 
of the parties at the date hereof arise on or before the Effective Date that makes it inadvisable or undesirable in the reasonable judgment of the 
Committee to grant the Option to Executive and should the Committee and/or the Board (as may be required) on or about such date, because of 
such intervening circumstance or event, instead bestow upon Executive benefits of reasonably equivalent value and having a comparable 
vesting date, Executive shall thereupon forego his right of termination under the preceding sentence. Termination of Executive's services under 
this Section 3.6 shall be treated as a termination of employment by the Corporation other than for cause and shall be governed by the provisions 
of Section 5.2.  

4. Vacation.  

Executive shall be entitled to four weeks of paid vacation, or such greater amount, if any, as provided in the policies of the Corporation then 
applicable to Executive, each calendar year during the period of his employment hereunder, to be taken at times mutually agreeable to 
Executive and the Corporation.  

5. Termination of Employment By Corporation.  

5.1 The Corporation may terminate Executive's employment hereunder at any time for cause without further obligation or liability except as 
hereinbelow stated in this Section 5.1. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "cause" shall be limited to the following grounds:  

5.1.1 Executive's refusal to substantially perform his duties or otherwise fulfill his material obligations under this Agreement (for reasons other 
than death or disability), in any such case after due written notice thereof, or serious willful misconduct in respect of his obligations hereunder;  

5.1.2 Conviction of a felony crime;  

5.1.3 Perpetration of a fraud against the Corporation or misappropriation of the Corporation's property;  

5.1.4 Habitual intoxication or illegal use of habit forming substances; or  

5.1.5 Knowingly making a material false statement to the Corporation's Board of Directors or management regarding the affairs of the 
Corporation.  

In the event Executive's employment is terminated for cause, no further payments of salary or benefits of any kind or nature (except to the 
extent accrued to the date of termination) shall be paid to Executive, and Executive shall have no further claim against the Corporation under 

the terms of this Agreement or otherwise relating to his employment.  

5.2 Corporation may terminate Executive's employment hereunder at any time without cause. In the event of such termination the obligations 
of the Corporation to Executive shall be limited to the following:  

5.2.1 Salary accrued to the effective date of such termination;  

5.2.2 Continuation of base salary at the per annum rate then in effect, for a period of 36 months from the effective date of such termination 
(hereinafter "the Severance Period");  

5.2.3 The "target incentive amount" under any executive annual incentive plan established by the Corporation for a fiscal year ending during 
the Severance Period, and the same "target incentive amount" for any such executive annual incentive plan, pro-rated to the end of the 
Severance Period, for a fiscal year commencing during but ending after the Severance Period, or the equivalent under any bonus or variable 
compensation plan which may hereafter be adopted by the Corporation in lieu of such executive annual incentive plan;  

5.2.4 The value of the "payout amount," in cash, for any executive long term incentive plan established by the Corporation, the plan cycle of 
which ends within 12 months after the effective date of termination, pro-rated to the date of termination;  

5.2.5 Lapse of restrictions on any outstanding restricted stock awards not vested on the effective date of termination, or at the Corporation's 
option, the cash value of the restricted stock forfeited under such awards based on "fair market value" on the effective date of termination; and  

5.2.6 Coverage during such Severance Period under the following employee benefit plans or provisions for comparable benefits outside such 
plans, but only to the extent comparable coverage is not provided by any new employer:  
(1) Group Health Insurance Program; (2) Long-Term Disability Plan (as provided under such Plan, the Executive shall be required to pay the 
premium); (3) Group Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (at the levels in effect at the date of termination of 
employment, taking into account any waiver of coverage under the Corporation's Supplemental Executive Retirement Program).  

For purposes of Section 5.2.5, the "fair market value" shall be the mean between the highest and lowest prices at which the Common Stock is 
traded on the effective date of termination as reported by the New York Stock Exchange or any successor thereto. If there is no sale of the 
Common Stock on such exchange on such date, the mean between the bid and asked prices on such exchange at the close of the market on such 
date shall be deemed to be the fair market value of the Common Stock.  

Executive shall not be required to seek other employment during such Severance Period, but in the event Executive renders personal services 
during such period to any person or firm other than the Corporation, whether as an employee, a partner or as a self-employed individual and 
earns income (whether or not then payable) attributable to the performance of such personal services during either the 12 month period 
commencing on the date of termination of employment or the next two succeeding 12 month periods in excess of $ 100,000 per such 12 month 
period, (i) Executive shall notify the Corporation, in accordance with Section 9.3 hereof, within 15 days of the commencement of such 
employment, and (ii) the amount of salary which the Corporation would otherwise be required to pay Executive during such 12 month period 
shall be reduced dollar for dollar by such excess amount. If as a result of Executive's accruing such income, the Corporation has overpaid 
Executive, Executive shall promptly reimburse the Corporation for the amount of such overpayment.  

5.3 Executive agrees that the payments described in Section 5.2 shall be full and adequate compensation to Executive for all damages he may 
suffer as a result of the termination of his employment pursuant to Section 5.2, and hereby waives and releases the Corporation from any and 
all obligations or liabilities to Executive arising from or in connection with Executive's employment with the Corporation or the termination of 
his employment including, without limitation, all rights and claims Executive may have under the Corporation's severance policy and federal, 
state or local statutes, regulations or ordinances or under any common law principles of breach of contract or the covenant of good faith and 
fair dealing, defamation, wrongful discharge, intentional infliction of emotional distress or promissory estoppel; provided, however, that any 
rights and benefits Executive may have under the employment benefit plans and programs of the Corporation, including, without limitation, the 
Corporation's Supplemental Executive Retirement Program, in which Executive is a participant, shall be determined in accordance with the 
terms and provisions of such plans and provisions.  

5.4 If Executive voluntarily resigns, the Corporation shall have no further obligation to Executive except for salary accrued to the effective date 
of such resignation.  

5.5 In the event the Corporation terminates Executive's employment, whether with or without cause, or in the event of Executive's voluntary 
resignation, Executive if so requested by the Corporation shall assist in the orderly transfer of authority and responsibility to his successor.  

6. Death or Disability.  

6.1 In the event of the death of Executive during the term of employment under this Agreement or during the period when payments are being 
made pursuant to Section 5.2.2, this Agreement shall terminate and all obligations to Executive shall cease as of the date of death except that 
the Corporation will pay the then base salary under Section 3.1 until the end of the month in which Executive dies, and except for any rights 
and benefits of Executive under the benefit plans and programs of the Corporation including, without limitation, the Supplemental Executive 
Retirement Plan in which Executive is a participant, as determined in accordance with the terms and provisions of such plans and programs. 

The payout under the EAIP, or equivalent, for the fiscal year in which Executive's death occurs, shall be annualized and paid at the normal time 
to Executive's estate pro rata to the date of death. The value of the "payout amount," in cash, for any executive long term incentive plan 
established by the Corporation, the plan cycle of which ends within 12 months after the date of Executive's death, shall be paid at the normal 
time to Executive's estate. This Section 6.1 shall not affect any outstanding stock options or stock awards, whether made under a long term 
incentive plan or otherwise, before or after the date of this agreement, which options or awards shall then be governed according to their terms.  

6.2 In the event that Executive shall become entitled to salary continuation payments under the Corporation's Group Long-Term Disability 
Insurance Plan or under any generally similar plan then in effect, the Corporation may, at its option, terminate the employment of Executive 
hereunder without further obligation or liability on the part of the Corporation under the terms of this Agreement.  

7. Restrictive Covenant.  

7.1 In consideration of the Corporation entering into this Agreement, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, for a period of 12 months after 
termination of such employment, whether because the term of employment has ended by its terms or otherwise (unless such termination is by 
the Corporation without cause or compliance herewith is excused pursuant to  
Section 7.2), be employed by, render services to or participate in the management, operation or control of, or serve as advisor or consultant to 
or otherwise become financially interested in any business of the same nature as that now (or hereafter during the term of this Agreement) 
carried on by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries (a "Restricted Business").  

7.2 Should a Change of Control (as defined in the Corporation's Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan) occur during the term of 
employment and should the Executive terminate his employment for "Good Reason" (as defined in said Plan) within a period of 18 months 
following such Change of Control such termination by Executive shall constitute a waiver by the Corporation of the restrictive covenant set 
forth in Section 7.1 and Executive shall have no further obligation to comply with its terms.  

7.3 Executive acknowledges and agrees that in the event of any violation of the restrictive covenant set forth in Section 7.1, the Corporation 
shall be authorized and entitled to obtain from any court of competent jurisdiction temporary, preliminary or permanent injunctive relief as well 
as an equitable accounting of all profits or benefits arising out of such violation and any damages for the breach of this Agreement which may 
be applicable. The aforesaid rights and remedies shall be independent, severable and cumulative and shall be in addition to any other rights or 
remedies to which the Corporation may be entitled.  

7.4 The restrictions contained in this Section 7 are intended to be reasonable. In the event that any restriction contained herein is held by any 
court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator to be in any respect unreasonable, the court so holding may limit the territory to which it pertains or 
the period of time in which it operates, or affect any other change to the extent necessary to make it enforceable. The remaining provisions shall 
not be affected, but shall, subject to the discretion of such court, remain in full force and effect and any invalid and unenforceable provision 
shall be deemed without further action on the part of the parties hereto modified, amended and limited to the extent necessary to render the 
same valid and enforceable to the maximum extent permissible.  

7.5 Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Corporation all confidential information, knowledge and data relating to or 
concerned with the Corporation's products, operations, sales, business and affairs which are proprietary and not readily ascertainable from trade 
sources or other publicly available data, and he shall not, at any time hereafter, use, disclose or divulge any such confidential information, 
knowledge or data to any person, firm or corporation other than to the Corporation, its subsidiaries or its designees or except as may otherwise 
be required in connection with the business and affairs of the Corporation. A breach of Executive's obligations hereunder shall entitle the 
Corporation to seek injunctive or equitable relief and/or damages from any court of competent jurisdiction.  

8. Change of Control Agreements.  

It is understood and agreed that none of the benefits accruing to Executive under the 1991 Key Employee Stock Option Plan or Supplemental 
Executive Retirement Plan resulting from a "change of control" shall derogate from the rights granted to Executive under this Agreement, and 
the rights granted to him thereunder shall, subject to the triggering events thereof, be supplementary to and not in substitution for his rights 
hereunder.  

9. General.  

9.1 Subject to Section 7.2 and Section 8 hereof, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement concerning Executive's employment, and no 
amendment or modification hereof shall be valid or binding unless made in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement thereof 
is sought. This agreement supersedes the 1994 Senior Executive Employment Agreement between the Corporation and Executive.  

9.2 The provisions of Section 7 hereof shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.  

9.3 Any notice required, permitted, or desired to be given pursuant to any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been 
sufficiently given or served for all purposes if delivered in person or sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage and 
fees prepaid, as follows:  

If to the Corporation, at:  

605 Third Avenue New York, New York 10158 Attention: Bradford  

Wiley II with a copy to:  

Richard S. Rudick, Esq.  

John Wiley & Sons, Inc.  
605 Third Avenue  
New York, New York 10158  

If to Executive, at:  

2 Heath Drive  
Basking Ridge, New Jersey 07920  

Either of the parties hereto may at any time and from time to time change the address to which notices shall be sent hereunder by notice to the 
other party.  

9.4 No course of dealing or any delay on the part of the Corporation or Executive in exercising any rights hereunder shall operate as a waiver of 
any such rights. No waiver of any default or breach of this Agreement shall be deemed a continuing waiver of any other breach or default.  

9.5 This Agreement relates to services to be performed principally in, and accordingly shall be governed, interpreted and construed in 
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.  

9.6 If any provision or part of this Agreement shall be held or declared to be void, invalid or illegal for any reason by any court of competent 
jurisdiction, such provision or part shall be ineffective but shall not in any way invalidate or affect any other provision or part of this 
Agreement.  

9.7 This Agreement, and the respective rights and obligations of the parties hereunder, shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding upon, 
the Corporation and its successors and assigns.  

9.8 Should there arise any claim, dispute or controversy relating to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, the parties shall use their best efforts 
and good will to settle such claim, dispute or controversy by amicable negotiations. Except as provided in Sections 7.2 and 7.4, any such claim, 
dispute or controversy that arises between the parties relating to this Agreement that is not amicably settled shall be resolved by arbitration, as 
follows.  

9.8.1 Any such arbitration shall be heard in New York, New York, before a panel consisting of one (1) to three (3) arbitrators, each of whom 
shall be impartial. Except as the parties may otherwise agree, all arbitrators shall be appointed in the first instance by the President of the 
Association of the Bar of the City of New York or, in the event of his unavailability by reason of disqualification or otherwise, by the Chairman 
of the Executive Committee of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. In determining the number and appropriate background of 
the arbitrators, the appointing authority shall give due consideration to the issues to be resolved, but his decision as to the number of arbitrators 
and their identity shall be final. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 9.8, or as the parties may otherwise agree, arbitration hereunder 
shall be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration Association, as they then exist.  

9.8.2 An arbitration may be commenced by any party to this Agreement by the service of a written Request for Arbitration upon the other 
affected parties. Such Request for Arbitration shall summarize the controversy or claim to be arbitrated, and shall be referred by the 
complaining party to the appointing authority for appointment of arbitrators ten (10) days following such service or thereafter. If the panel of 
arbitrators is not appointed by the appointing authority within thirty (30) days following such reference, any party may apply to any court 
within the State of New York for an order appointing arbitrators qualified as set forth below. No Request for Arbitration shall be valid if it 
relates to a claim, dispute, disagreement or controversy that would have been time barred under the applicable statute of limitations had such 
claim, dispute or controversy been submitted to the Supreme Court of the State of New York.  

9.8.3 All attorneys' fees and costs of the arbitration shall in the first instance be borne by the respective party incurring such costs and fees, but 
the arbitrators shall have the discretion to award costs and/or attorneys' fees as they deem appropriate under the circumstances. In addition to 
the waiver set forth in Section 5.3 above, the parties hereby expressly waive punitive damages, and under no circumstances shall an award 
contain any amount that in any way reflects punitive damages.  

9.8.4 Judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.  

9.8.5 It is intended that claims, disputes or controversies submitted to arbitration under this Section 9.8 shall remain confidential, and to that 
end it is agreed by the parties that neither the facts disclosed in the arbitration, the issues arbitrated, nor the views or opinions of any persons 
concerning them, shall be disclosed to third persons at any time, except to the extent necessary to enforce an award or judgment or as required 
by law or in response to legal process or in connection with such arbitration.  

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.  

JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.  

Date: ___________________  

By_______________________  
Charles R. Ellis  

President and Chief  
Executive Officer  

William J. Pesce  

SUBSIDIARIES OF JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.(1)  

                                                      Jurisdiction 
                                                        In Which 
                                                      Incorporated 
                                                      ------------- 
Wiley Europe Limited                                    England 
     Wiley Heyden Limited                               England       (2) 
     John Wiley & Sons Limited                          England       (2) 
     Academy Group Limited                              England       (2) 
     Chancery Law Publishing Limited                    England       (2) 
Jacaranda Wiley Limited                                 Australia 
John Wiley & Sons (HK) Limited                          Hong Kong 
Wiley Interscience, Inc.                                New York 
John Wiley & Sons International Rights, Inc.            Delaware 
Wiley-Liss, Inc.                                        Delaware 
Wiley Publishing Services, Inc.                         Delaware 
Wiley Subscription Services, Inc.                       Delaware 
Clinical Psychology Publishing Company, Inc.            Delaware 
John Wiley & Sons Canada Limited                        Canada 
Wiley Foreign Sales Corporation                         Barbados 
John Wiley & Sons (Asia) Pte Ltd.                       Singapore 
Scripta Technica, Inc.                                  District of Columbia 
John Wiley & Sons GmbH                                  Germany 
     VCH Verlagsgesellschaft mbH                        Germany       (3) 
         Wilhelm Ernst & Sohn, Verlag fur 
              Architektur und technische 
              Wissenschaften, GmbH                      Germany       (4) 
         Akademie Verlag GmbH                           Germany       (4) 
         Chemical Concepts Gesellschaft fur 
              Chemie-Informationssysteme mbH            Germany       (4) 
         VCH Publishers (U.K.) Limited                  England       (4) 
         VCH Verlags AG                                 Switzerland   (4) 
         Verlag Chemie GmbH                             Germany       (4) 
         Physik-Verlag GmbH                             Germany       (4) 

-------------------------------------- 

(1) The names of other subsidiaries which would not constitute a significant subsidiary in the aggregate have been omitted.  

(2) Subsidiary of Wiley Europe Limited.  

(3) Subsidiary of John Wiley & Sons GmbH.  

(4) Subsidiary of VCH Verlagsgesellschaft mbH.  

 
 
 
ARTICLE 5 
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT 
OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY 
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 
CIK: 0000107140 
NAME: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 
MULTIPLIER: 1000 

PERIOD TYPE 
FISCAL YEAR END 
PERIOD START 
PERIOD END 
CASH 
SECURITIES 
RECEIVABLES 
ALLOWANCES 
INVENTORY 
CURRENT ASSETS 
PP&E 
DEPRECIATION 
TOTAL ASSETS 
CURRENT LIABILITIES 
BONDS 
PREFERRED MANDATORY 
PREFERRED 
COMMON 
OTHER SE 
TOTAL LIABILITY AND EQUITY 
SALES 
TOTAL REVENUES 
CGS 
TOTAL COSTS 
OTHER EXPENSES 
LOSS PROVISION 
INTEREST EXPENSE 
INCOME PRETAX 
INCOME TAX 
INCOME CONTINUING 
DISCONTINUED 
EXTRAORDINARY 
CHANGES 
NET INCOME 
EPS PRIMARY 
EPS DILUTED 

End of Filing  

12 MOS 
APR 30 1998 
MAY 01 1997 
APR 30 1998 
$127,405 
0 
97,723 
41,576 
44,912 
237,610 
83,155 
48,845 
506,914 
178,353 
125,000 
0 
0 
20,744 
140,007 
506,914 
0 
467,081 
164,169 
426,217 
0 
0 
7,933 
58,086 
21,498 
36,588 
0 
0 
0 
36,588 
2.32 
2.22 

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