International Data Group facts for kids
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| Private | |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Founders | Patrick Joseph McGovern |
| Headquarters |
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United States
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Area served
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Worldwide |
| Owner | Blackstone Inc. |
International Data Group (IDG, Inc.) is a company from the United States. It helps technology companies understand the market and connect with customers. IDG does this by providing research, data, and marketing tools. Their goal is to help tech businesses grow and work together.
IDG, Inc. is owned by a company called Blackstone. Genevieve Juillard became the CEO of IDG in 2023. The company's main office is in Needham, Massachusetts. IDG is the parent company for two big parts: International Data Corporation (IDC) and Foundry.
Contents
The Story of IDG
International Data Group started as International Data Corporation (IDC) in 1964. It was founded by Patrick Joseph McGovern. He had just graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
The company began in Massachusetts. It created a database about computer installations. They also published a newsletter called "EDP Industry and Market Report." Big companies like RCA and Xerox paid IDC to use their data.
How IDG Became a Publisher
After three years, McGovern thought about closing the company. Then, he had an idea to launch Computerworld in 1967. This was a weekly newspaper about computers. It became a very important part of IDG's publishing business.
In 1969, IDG expanded outside the U.S. for the first time. They opened IDC UK and launched their first European publication. In 1974, they launched Computerwoche in Germany. This was their first fully translated publication. Over the 1990s, they launched more international publications in places like Japan and China.
In 1984, the company launched MacWorld. This happened in the same week the Macintosh computer was first shown. Steve Jobs was even on its cover! In 1991, IDG Books started the famous For Dummies series with DOS For Dummies. These books helped people learn about many different topics.
In 2007, IDG stopped printing InfoWorld U.S.. Its content became available only online. This showed that the company was moving towards a web-focused way of publishing.
Events and Research
During the 1970s and 1980s, IDG also started holding events and doing research. In the early 1970s, they launched the Computer Caravan trade show in the U.S. This show visited many cities. By 1972, the Computer Caravan was also held in Europe.
In the 1980s, IDG's part, IDC, started IDC Predictions. This became the company's technology research and analysis group. Today, the IDC Predictions team still shares regular findings about the technology industry worldwide.
In 1991, the first IDG DEMO Conference took place. This was a live event where companies could show off their newest technology. Many important products were launched there, like Adobe Acrobat and Salesforce.
By the mid-2000s, IDG had a strong online and print publishing business. They also had a trusted research division and big global trade shows. All of this helped them build a large database of technology buyers. In 2006, IDG made this database available to technology marketers.
Changes in Ownership
After Patrick J. McGovern passed away in 2014, his foundation owned the company. In 2017, China Oceanwide Holdings Group bought IDG. Then, in May 2021, Blackstone Inc. bought IDG, Inc. from China Oceanwide Holdings Group for $1.3 billion.
IDG's Main Parts
IDG, Inc. is the parent company for two main divisions: IDC and Foundry.
International Data Corporation (IDC)
IDC is fully owned by IDG, Inc. It is a global company that provides market information and advice. They focus on the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. IDC has over 2,500 employees around the world. More than 1,300 of them are analysts. These experts offer insights into technology and industry trends.
Crawford Del Prete became the president of IDC in 2019. In May 2021, IDC bought Metri, a Dutch IT consulting company. This helped IDC grow its presence in Europe.
Foundry
Foundry was also fully owned by IDG, Inc. It provided media and event services, marketing technology, and data for businesses. It used to be called IDG Communications. The company changed its name to Foundry in February 2022. This was part of its plan to become a data and marketing technology company. Foundry has over 1,400 employees globally. It works in more than 140 countries.
Between 2020 and 2022, Foundry bought several data and marketing technology companies. This helped them become an integrated marketing technology and data provider. Foundry uses its well-known media brands to gather information about technology buyers. Then, they provide these insights to marketers.
In March 2025, Foundry was sold to a private equity firm called Regent LP.
Foundry's Publications
Foundry owns and runs many well-known publications. These brands publish content for technology buyers and consumers in over 90 countries. Some, like Computerworld and MacWorld, have been around since McGovern first started. Many of these publications have moved from print to digital.
- CIO publishes content for chief information officers and IT leaders. It reaches over 4 million people in 72 countries. Its website, CIO.com, is a popular resource for IT decision makers.
- ChannelWorld covers the sales channel. It publishes content for IT distributors and resellers worldwide.
- Computerworld reaches over 12 million IT managers globally. It offers advice, best practices, and trends for web applications and tools.
- CSO is a publication focused on security. It offers content to chief security officers and IT security professionals. Topics include risk management, network defense, and data protection.
- InfoWorld helps developers, architects, and business leaders. It publishes content about new technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning.
- MacWorld publishes content about Apple hardware and software. It includes reviews, tutorials, and tips for Apple product users.
- Network World supports modern data centers. It has content for data center managers about cloud computing and storage. Network World reaches over 2 million IT professionals in 14 countries.
- PCWorld serves both consumers and businesses. It publishes content about software and hardware for PCs. It helps PC owners make smart purchases.
- TechHive is a publication for consumers. It publishes content about smart homes, home entertainment, and the Internet of Things. TechHive offers reviews and tips for connected products.
Awards and Big Moments
In 2000, Salesforce was first launched at IDG's DEMO Event. This event was a top place for new technologies to be revealed from 1991 to 2015. The same year, Fortune magazine named IDG, Inc. one of "The 100 Best Companies to Work For." It ranked IDG at number 58.
IDG Books launched the very popular For Dummies book series in 1991. They owned it for 10 years. Then, they sold it to John Wiley & Sons, Inc. in 2001.
The first ever iPhone was shown by Steve Jobs at a MacWorld conference in 2007.
