International Data Group (IDG) was founded in 1964 by Patrick J. McGovern in Massachusetts as International Data Corporation, building one of the world's first technology media and research companies. IDC was its original operating name.
IDG's brands reached over six million technology buyers across more than 97 countries, spanning publications like Computerworld, PCWorld, and CIO alongside a major market research division.
The company is headquartered in Needham, Massachusetts and is currently owned by private equity firm Blackstone, which acquired it in 2021 for $1.3 billion.
About International Data Group
Sector
Technology / Media
Industry
IT Research, Media & Events
CEO
Genevieve Juillard
Website
Headquarters
Needham, MA, USA
Founded
1964
Status
Private (owned by Blackstone)
International Data Group Founders
Patrick J. McGovern
Founder, Chairman & CEO (1964–2014)
International Data Group History
1964
Patrick J. McGovern founded International Data Corporation in Massachusetts, initially producing a computer installation database and a technology newsletter.
1967
IDG launched Computerworld, a weekly newspaper that became the flagship of its publishing empire and the largest specialized business publication in the US within five years.
1984
IDG launched Macworld in the same week Apple debuted the Macintosh, featuring Steve Jobs on the cover and cementing its place in technology publishing history.
2017
China Oceanwide Holdings Group acquired IDG following founder McGovern's 2014 death, marking the first time in its history the company passed to outside ownership.
2021
Blackstone acquired IDG from China Oceanwide for $1.3 billion; Foundry, the publishing division, was subsequently sold to Regent LP in March 2025.
FAQs
Is International Data Group an American company?
Yes. IDG was founded in 1964 in Massachusetts by Patrick J. McGovern and has been headquartered in the United States throughout its history. It is currently owned by Blackstone, an American private equity firm headquartered in New York.
Who owns International Data Group?
IDG is owned by Blackstone Inc., which acquired it in May 2021 for $1.3 billion from China Oceanwide Holdings Group. The company's publishing division, Foundry, was sold separately to Regent LP in March 2025.
When did International Data Group come out?
International Data Group was founded in 1964 by Patrick J. McGovern in Newtonville, Massachusetts, originally under the name International Data Corporation. It adopted the IDG name as it expanded beyond research into publishing and events.
Who made the International Data Group logo?
The specific agency behind the IDG logo is not publicly documented. The company has updated its branding multiple times across its 60-year history to reflect its evolution from a research firm into a global technology media organization.