IDG Launches the Industry Standard in China; Global Technology Media Leader Continues Expansion of Product Line with Launch of Digital Fortune

Business Wire, March 15, 2001

Business/Technology Editors

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 15, 2001

International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading IT media and information services company, today announced the launch of Digital Fortune, the Chinese edition of The Industry Standard. Debuting today in China as a bi-weekly, the magazine has an initial circulation of 60,000 and companion website www.digitalfortune.com.cn.

IDG's history of providing trusted information resources to the Chinese IT community dates back three decades to 1972 after IDG Founder and Chairman Patrick McGovern's historic launch of Computerworld - the first joint publishing venture in China. Digital Fortune brings the total number of titles published by IDG in China to eighteen. IDG China also has eight web sites and produces 17 technology related conferences and events, including COMNet Shenzhen and Linuxworld Conference and Expo.

"The Chinese Internet economy is thriving and is a prime market for The Industry Standard's award winning, in-depth news and editorial coverage of this rapidly evolving sector," said Hugo Shong, president of IDG Communications in China. "We see tremendous potential in the Chinese market for a publication like Digital Fortune, illustrated by the enormous response we have already received from advertisers and potential readers alike."

Seasoned Chen Lihui will lead Digital Fortune's editorial team and will be joined by a team of 14 experienced journalists. The first issue of Digital Fortune will cover China's technology-related economy and will feature regular columns on the new economy, hi-tech capital markets and e-investments. The debut issue features 18 advertisers including IBM, 3Com, Compaq, Volkeswagon, China NetCom, Kingdee Software, Dell Computer and Legend Computers.

Since IDG launched the print and online versions of The Industry Standard in the U.S. in April of 1998, the publication has expanded its offerings to include weekly email newsletters, an international conference program, events, the Intelligence Store of research reports, recruiting tools and e-business directories. Aggressively expanding its brand beyond the U.S., The Industry Standard has already launched print and online offerings in U.K., Australia, Brazil, Korea, Norway, Poland, Sweden and Switzerland.

About International Data Group (IDG)

Headquartered in Boston, International Data Group (IDG) informs more people worldwide about information technology than any other company in the world. With annual revenues of $3.1 billion, IDG is the leading global provider of IT media, research, conferences and events. IDG publishes more than 300 newspapers and magazines and 4,000 book titles in 85 countries, led by the Computerworld/InfoWorld, Macworld, Network World, PC World, CIO, The Industry Standard and For Dummies(R) global product lines. IDG offers online users the largest network of technology-specific sites around the world through IDG.net (www.idg.net), which comprises more than 270 targeted websites in 70 countries. IDG is also a leading producer of 168 computer-related events in 35 countries, and research arm International Data Corporation (IDC) provides computer industry research and analysis through 51 offices in 43 countries worldwide. Company information is available at www.idg.com.