International Data Group history

International Data Group Established, 1967

1969: IDC U.K., IDC’s first international office, is established

In 1972 McGovern began responding to the need for computer information outside of the United States.

The conference and exposition management division of IDG dates to 1976, when McGovern developed Communications Networks in response to the rapid growth of telecommunications technology.

Produced First ComNet Trade Show, 1979

1980: IDG enters China with Computerworld China

Having started a stampede, IDG found itself in a crowded computer research market by 1984.

In 1985 IDG began its first joint publishing venture in Hungary, producing Computerworld SZT and PC Mikrovilag.

The publication began in 1986 with only four pages an issue.

1988: IDG becomes the first United States company to publish in the Soviet Union (PC World United StatesS.R.)

There was another computer magazine industry shakeout in 1989.

Also in 1990, IDG Books Worldwide Inc. was established to publish quality computer books around the world.

It acquired Electronic News from Chilton Co. in 1991.

In 1992 McGovern cut the paper's budget and raised the subscription price.

In 1993 IDG continued to launch new publications and published a total of 194 computer newspapers and magazines in 62 countries by mid-year.

Revenues Reached $980 Million in 1994

In 1996 revenues exceeded $1.7 billion.

For fiscal 1997 IDG announced revenues of $2.05 billion.

In April 1998 it launched Industry Standard, a news magazine of the Internet economy.

2000: Pat McGovern and Lore Harp McGovern commit $350 million to MIT to establish the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT

IDG Books/Hungry Minds — as IDG Books was briefly renamed before being sold to Wiley in 2001, it no longer exists as a separate company.

2006: IDG Connect, with a database of more than six-million readers, website visitors and event attendees, becomes available to marketers looking to sell to buyers in various technology categories

2007: InfoWorld United States ceases print publication and goes online only, signaling IDG’s move to a Web-centric strategy

2008: IDG launches the IDG TechNetwork, an advertising network that aggregates high-quality independent IT sites and represents them to technology marketers who are eager to reach buyers with specific tech interests

2009: IDG announces innovative social media marketing programs IDG Amplify and IDG Social Scout

In 2010, IDG introduced the "Nanosite", an advertising tool designed as an alternative to a microsite.

2011: IDG launches TechMedia Exchange, the industry’s first private ad exchange”

Following McGovern's death in March 2014, ownership of the corporation passed to the McGovern Foundation, with several layoffs occurring as a result.

In January 2017, following IDG's announcement that it was searching for a buyer, it was acquired by China Oceanwide Holdings Group.

In August 2019, Mohamad Ali was named as Global CEO of IDG. Prior to joining IDG, Ali held the positions of President and CEO of Carbonite and Chief Strategy Officer of Hewlett-Packard.

In June 2020, IDG retired their JavaWorld brand, migrating its content to InfoWorld.