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International Data Group (IDG, Inc.) is a market intelligence and demand generation company focused on the technology industry. IDG, Inc.’s mission is centered around supporting the technology industry through research, data, marketing technology, and insights that help create and sustain relationships between businesses.

IDG, Inc. is wholly owned by Blackstone and is led by Mohamad Ali, who was appointed CEO of the company in 2019. Ali serves on IDG, Inc.’s leadership team along with IDC President Crawford Del Prete, IDG, Inc.’s Chief Financial Officer Donna Marr, and Foundry President Kumaran Ramanathan.

IDG, Inc. is headquartered in Needham, MA and is parent company to both International Data Corporation (IDC) and Foundry (formerly IDG Communications).

History

International Data Group was initially founded as International Data Corporate (IDC) in 1964 by Patrick Joseph McGovern, shortly after he had graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Based in Massachusetts, the company produced a computer installation database, and published a newsletter, "EDP Industry and Market Report" (modeled on "ADP Newsletter", which was published by the Diebold Group). Companies such as RCA, Univac, Xerox, and Burroughs paid IDC for use of the data base. During this time, McGovern continued to work as a writer for "Computers and Automation" magazine, the first computer magazine, published by Edmund Berkeley.

Publisher History

By IDG's third year, McGovern was considering liquidating the company when he hit on the idea of launching ''Computerworld'' in 1967, which was a continuation of the monthly newsletter, published weekly instead of monthly, in a different format, with advertising, and which would become a cornerstone of IDG's subsequent publishing arm. McGovern subsequently founded ''PC World''.

In 1969, IDG made its first overseas expansion when it opened IDC UK and launched its first European publication. In 1974, the company launched its first international publication, ''Computerwoche'', in Germany, its first fully translated publication. International publications in Japan, China, the then Soviet Union, Vietnam, and other countries would follow throughout the 1990s.

In 1984, the company launched ''MacWorld'' in the same week that the Macintosh computer was debuted, and featured Steve Jobs on its cover. In the 1991, IDG Books launched its ''For Dummies'' series with ''DOS for Dummies,'' and published many instructional/reference books under the series until Hungry Minds (the new name for IDG books) was acquired by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. in 2001.

In 2007, IDG creased print publication of InfoWorld U.S. and made the content available online only, signaling the company's transition to a web-centric model for publication.

Changing Ownership

Following McGovern's death in 2014, ownership of the corporate passed to the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, until 2017 when it was purchased by China Oceanwide Holdings Group. IDG, Inc. changed ownership again in May 2021 when Blackstone Inc. acquired the corporation from China Oceanwide Holdings Group for $1.3 billion.

Divisions & Brands

IDG, Inc. serves as the parent company of two major company divisions, IDC and Foundry.

International Data Corporation (IDC)

IDC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of IDG, Inc. and is a global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. IDC employs over 2,500 people globally including more than 1,300 analysts worldwide to offer expertise and insights on technology and industry trends.

In 2019, Crawford Del Prete was named president of IDC after serving as its Chief Operating Officer (COO).

In May 2021, IDC acquired Dutch IT intelligence consultancy Metri, bolstering its presence in the Benelux region and strengthening IDC’s reach and insight into Europe’s IT industry.

Foundry

Foundry is a wholly-owned subsidiary of IDG, Inc. and is a global provider of media & event services, marketing technology, and intent data for B2B technology marketers. Formerly known as IDG Communications, the IDG Inc. subsidiary company rebranded from IDG Communications to Foundry in February 2022 as part of its strategic transformation from publisher to data and martech company. Foundry employs over 1,400 people globally and operates in over 140 countries around the world.

Between 2020 and 2022, Foundry acquired leading data and marketing technology (MarTech) companies Triblio, Kickfire, Leadsift, and Selling Simplified as part of its strategy to transform from legacy media network to integrated marketing technology and data provider. Through both homegrown and acquired data and technologies, Foundry continues to leverage their established media brands to gather and provide insights about global technology buyers to marketers in the same space.

Editorial Brands (Foundry)

Foundry owns and operates various editorial brands that publish relevant content for technology buyers in both the B2B and consumer spaces across over 90 countries. With some like ''Computerworld'' and ''MacWorld'' dating back to McGovern’s early ownership, the editorial brands remain central to Foundry’s operations in media and technology marketing, though many of the editorial brands have transitioned from print to digital.

''CIO''

''CIO'' publishes content relevant to its network of over 4 million chief information officers and IT thought leaders in 72 countries. Its award-winning website, CIO.com, is a popular resource for IT decision makers.

References

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1964 establishments in Massachusetts
2017 mergers and acquisitions
2021 mergers and acquisitions
China Oceanwide Holdings Group
Companies based in Norfolk County, Massachusetts
Magazine publishing companies of the United States
Needham, Massachusetts
Privately held companies based in Massachusetts
Publishing companies established in 1964
Research and analysis firms of the United States
The Blackstone Group companies