Adweek, MediaWeek and BrandWeek sold.

e5 Global Media LLC, a new company formed jointly by Pluribus Capital Management, a media private equity partnership, and Guggenheim Partners announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire eight brands from The Nielsen Company, including such iconic assets as The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard. Management of the acquired brands and their staff members will begin to transition immediately. The acquisition, which is subject to normal terms and conditions, is scheduled to close by December 31, 2009.

In addition to The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard, the other brands included in the sale by Nielsen Business Media are: Adweek, Brandweek, Mediaweek, The Clio Awards, Backstage and Film Journal International. e5 Global Media will also acquire the Film Expo business, which includes the ShoWest, ShowEast, Cinema Expo International and CineAsia trade shows.

MarketingyMedios.com and other Hispanic focused efforts on the part of Nielsen Business Media were also sold in the transaction.

Nielsen said it remains committed to its leading trade show group and affiliated brands. It will continue to assess the strategic fit of other publications.

“Nielsen is committed to managing its portfolio of businesses in a way that maximizes their long-term value,” said Greg Farrar, President of Nielsen Business Media. “Divesting these titles allows Nielsen to focus its investment on its core businesses and those parts of our portfolio that have the greatest potential for growth, including our leading trade show group.”