It is not the sexiest publishing sector, but business to business (B2B) companies are enjoying a moment in the sun. The marriage of Thomson and Reuters, the smaller acquisition of Datamonitor by Informa, and of Wilmington Media’s WDIS by Optima raises the question: who is next? Reed Elsevier’s shares surged after it was described as “the perfect LBO”. However, that could be said of any B2B player. United Business Media’s PR Newswire looks especially tasty, as does Emap Communications. Others include Euromoney, Centaur and Reed Elsevier’s Lexis Nexis or Butterworths division.

Private equity houses are sniffing around, lured by a business model with solid revenue from subscription renewals rather than less stable advertising and titles with niche strongholds. Reuters-Thomson board proposals notably omitted details of the fate that awaits certain key senior executives – one being Sharon Rowlands, the president and managing director of Thomson Financial. Despite reassurances from Tom Glocer that job cuts would not be necessary, Ms Rowlands sent an internal webcast to Thomson Financial staff warning of losses, one source said. She missed out on the chief executive slots at both the professional division and at Reuters, to her Thomson colleague Jim Smith and Reuters’s Devin Wenig. Ms Rowlands has been offered a new senior position, but details have not been announced.

Richard Huntingford, the chief executive of Chrysalis, said that the group was considering “proposals” as well as offers to rescue its radio division. Given predictions that “a third way” is very much on the cards, a tie-up with GMG Media, with which it already shares a salesforce, could be the easiest option.

Employers take note: it is not just Prince William who has turned to Facebook. While staff are unlikely to criticise their bosses on the social-networking site that has soared to popularity among twenty to thirtysomethings, they are keen to pledge their allegiances. One group calling itself “I work for the wonderful company that is GCap Media!” boasts 156 members; the more modest “I work for GMG Radio” has 19. In the group “UK Radio People”, one member sweetly wishes others a “Happy Rajar Day”. Who needs staff satisfaction surveys?

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