NEW YORK, April 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The McGraw-Hill Companies' (NYSE: MHP) 2005 Annual Shareholders Meeting is scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM Eastern Time on Wednesday, April 27, 2005.

In his address to shareholders, Harold McGraw III, chairman, president and chief executive officer, will review the Corporation's performance and prospects. The remarks will be available for downloading from the Corporation's Investor Relations Website under the Investor Presentations link later that day at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/investor_relations.

Shareholders received their invitation to attend the meeting via the Proxy Statement. The meeting will also be accessible in listen-only mode, by telephone and through the Internet, to the Corporation's shareholders and all other interested parties. The discussions may include forward-looking information.

RSVP Requested: Telephone participants are asked to RSVP by April 26, 2005 either by phone or the Web. To RSVP via the Web, go to http://www.mymeetings.com. Under "Events," click on "Web RSVP." Enter the conference ID 5260939 and the passcode MCGRAW HILL (case sensitive, please include the space between MCGRAW and HILL). To RSVP by phone, domestic participants may call toll free + 1 (866) 518-4649; international participants may call +1 (203) 369-2063 (long distance charges will apply). Internet participants do not need to RSVP.

                    Access Instructions for April 27, 2005

By Telephone: To access the call by telephone on Wednesday, April 27, please call by 10:45 AM (Eastern Time) to complete the pre-call registration process. Domestic participants may call toll free +1 (888) 455-9639; international participants may call +1 (210) 839-8500 (long distance charges will apply). The passcode is MCGRAW HILL and the conference leader is Harold McGraw III. For technical assistance during the presentation, dial *0 for operator assistance.

By Internet: Go to http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/investor_relations and click on the "Annual Shareholders Meeting" link under Investor Presentation Webcasts. At the Event Details screen, select the Webcast link and register through the guest book. You will need Windows Media Player.

Replay Options Available from April 27, 2005 to May 4, 2005

By Telephone: A recorded replay will be available beginning about two hours after the Annual Meeting concludes and will remain available until Wednesday, May 4, 2005. Domestic participants may call toll free + 1 (800) 427-2733; international participants may call + 1 (402) 220-2265 (long distance charges will apply).

By Internet: To listen to the Annual Meeting through the Internet, follow these steps: Go to http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/investor_relations and click on the "Annual Shareholders Meeting" link under Investor Presentation Webcasts. At the Event Details screen, select the Webcast link and register through the guest book. You will need Windows Media Player.

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, BusinessWeek and McGraw-Hill Education. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 37 countries. Sales in 2004 were $5.3 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.

SOURCE  The McGraw-Hill Companies
    -0-                             04/13/2005
    /CONTACT:  News Media:
               Steven Weiss
               Vice President, Corporate Communications
               (212) 512-2247 (office)
               (917) 374-2024 (mobile)
               steven_weiss@mcgraw-hill.com

               Tom DiPiazza
               Senior Director, Corporate Communications
               (212) 512-4145 (office)
               (917) 328-7582 (mobile)
               tom_dipiazza@mcgraw-hill.com

               Investor Relations:
               Donald S. Rubin
               Senior Vice President, Investor Relations
               (212) 512-4321 (office)
               donald_rubin@mcgraw-hill.com

               For questions regarding call access:
               Celeste M. Hughes
               Manager, Communications and Shareholder Relations
               (212) 512-2192 (office)
               celeste_hughes@mcgraw-hill.com /
    /Web sites:  http://www.mcgraw-hill.comhttp://www.mcgraw-hill.com/investor_relationshttp://www.mymeetings.com /
    (MHP)

CO:  McGraw-Hill Companies
ST:  New York
IN:  PUB FIN EDU MAG BKS
SU:  CCA

SR
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9069 04/13/200514:38 EDThttp://www.prnewswire.com