International Data Group facts for kids
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| Founded | 1964 |
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| Founders | Patrick Joseph McGovern |
| Headquarters | , |
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Area served
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Worldwide |
| Owner | Blackstone Inc. |
International Data Group (IDG, Inc.) is a company that helps the technology world. They gather information about what people want (this is called market intelligence) and help businesses connect with customers (this is called demand generation). Their main goal is to support the tech industry. They do this by doing research, collecting data, and offering marketing tools. This helps create and keep good relationships between different businesses.
IDG, Inc. is owned by a large investment company called Blackstone. Genevieve Juillard became the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) in 2023. She works with other leaders like Crawford Del Prete, who is the President of IDC, and Tiziana Figliolia, the Chief Financial Officer.
IDG, Inc. has its main office in Needham, Massachusetts. It is the parent company for two big parts: International Data Corporation (IDC) and Foundry (which used to be called IDG Communications).
Contents
History of IDG
International Data Group started as International Data Corporation (IDC) in 1964. It was founded by Patrick Joseph McGovern right after he finished studying at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The company was based in Massachusetts. It created a database of 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. At the same time, McGovern also wrote for "Computers and Automation" magazine, which was the first computer magazine ever.
How IDG Became a Publisher
After three years, McGovern thought about closing his company. But then he had a great idea! In 1967, he launched Computerworld. This was a weekly magazine that grew out of his monthly newsletter. It had a new look and included advertisements. Computerworld became a very important part of IDG's publishing business.
In 1969, IDG started to grow overseas. They opened IDC UK and launched their first magazine in Europe. By 1974, they launched Computerwoche in Germany. This was their first magazine fully translated into another language. Throughout the 1990s, IDG launched magazines in many other countries, including Japan, China, and Vietnam.
In 1984, IDG launched MacWorld at the same time the first Macintosh computer came out. Steve Jobs, one of the founders of Apple, was on its first cover! In 1991, IDG Books started the famous For Dummies series with DOS for Dummies. These books helped people learn about many different topics. IDG Books later became Hungry Minds and was bought by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. in 2001.
In 2007, IDG stopped printing InfoWorld U.S. magazine. They decided to put all its content online instead. This showed that the company was moving towards focusing more on websites.
Events, Research & Technology Marketing
During the 1970s and 1980s, IDG also started organizing events and doing more research. In the early 1970s, they launched their Computer Caravan trade show in the US. This event traveled to nine cities in 11 weeks. By 1972, the Computer Caravan was also held in Europe.
In the 1980s, IDG's part of the company, IDC, started IDC Predictions. This became the company's way of researching technology and sharing what they found. Today, IDC still has a team of experts who publish regular reports about the technology industry around the world.
In 1991, the first IDG DEMO Conference took place. This was an event where companies could show off their newest technology live on stage. People who attended included tech users, business leaders, and investors. Many famous products and software were launched at these events, like Adobe Acrobat, PalmPilot, Netscape, and Salesforce. These conferences were held in the US, Asia, and South America until 2015.
By the mid-2000s, IDG had a strong online and print publishing business. They also had a trusted research division and held many big events around the world. All of this helped them build a huge list of over six million technology buyers and professionals. In 2006, IDG made this list available to technology marketers through its IDG Connect division. This helped tech companies find new customers.
Changes in Ownership
After Patrick J. McGovern passed away in 2014, his foundation owned the company. Then, in 2017, a company called China Oceanwide Holdings Group bought IDG. IDG, Inc. changed owners again in May 2021. Blackstone Inc., a large investment firm, bought the company from China Oceanwide Holdings Group for $1.3 billion.
IDG's Main Parts
IDG, Inc. is the parent company for two main parts: IDC and Foundry.
International Data Corporation (IDC)
IDC is fully owned by IDG, Inc. It is a global company that provides information about the market. They offer advice and hold events for the technology, telecommunications, and consumer tech industries. IDC has over 2,500 employees worldwide. More than 1,300 of them are analysts. These experts offer knowledge and ideas about technology and industry trends.
In 2019, Crawford Del Prete became the president of IDC. Before that, he was the Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Foundry
Foundry is also fully owned by IDG, Inc. It provides media and event services, marketing technology, and data for businesses that sell technology to other businesses. Foundry used to be called IDG Communications. They changed their name to Foundry in February 2022. This was part of their plan to become more focused on data and marketing technology. Foundry has over 1,400 employees globally and works in more than 140 countries.
Between 2020 and 2022, Foundry bought several companies that specialize in data and marketing technology. This was part of their plan to change from a traditional media company to an integrated marketing technology and data provider. Foundry uses its well-known media brands to gather information about technology buyers around the world. They then share these insights with marketers in the same field.
Foundry's Magazines and Websites
Foundry owns and runs many popular magazines and websites. These publish useful content for people who buy technology, both for businesses and for personal use. They operate in over 90 countries. Some of these, like Computerworld and MacWorld, have been around since McGovern first started the company. Many of these have moved from being printed magazines to being digital-only websites.
- CIO publishes content for over 4 million chief information officers and IT leaders in 72 countries. Their website, CIO.com, is a popular place for people who make IT decisions.
- ChannelWorld covers how technology products are sold. It publishes content for IT distributors and resellers around the world.
- Computerworld reaches over 12 million IT managers in large companies globally. It offers practical advice, best practices, and trends about web applications and tools. These tools help technology professionals support their businesses.
- CSO is a publication focused on security. It offers content to chief security officers and IT security professionals. Topics include managing risks, defending networks, preventing fraud, and protecting data.
- InfoWorld is for developers, architects, and business leaders. It helps them launch new projects using advanced cloud platforms. It publishes content about new technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data.
- MacWorld publishes content about Apple hardware and software. It includes reviews, tutorials, and tips for Apple product users, both for businesses and for individuals.
- Network World focuses on helping modern data centers. It provides content for data center managers about cloud computing, storage, servers, and virtualization. Network World reaches over 2 million IT professionals in 14 countries.
- PCWorld helps both everyday users and businesses. It publishes content about new software and hardware for PCs. It focuses on helping PC owners and fans make smart choices for their personal and work purchases.
- TechHive is a website for consumers. It publishes content about smart homes, home entertainment, and the Internet of Things. TechHive publishes reviews for connected products, deals, and tips for people with smart homes.
Cool Moments & Awards
In 2000, Salesforce was launched at IDG's DEMO Event. This event was a top place for new technologies to be revealed from 1991 to 2015.
In 2001, Fortune Magazine named IDG, Inc. one of "The 100 Best Companies to Work For." They ranked the company at number 58.
IDG Books launched the very popular reference book series For Dummies in 1991. They owned this series for 10 years before selling it to John Wiley & Sons, Inc. in 2001.
The first ever iPhone was shown to the world by Steve Jobs at a MacWorld conference in 2007.
