IDG Launches the Industry Standard

Business Wire, Feb 4, 2008

Industry Standard to Provide Thought-Provoking Editorial Content from Top Industry Contributors

Community-Driven Prediction Market Calculates Likelihood of Internet Economy Industry Developments

SAN FRANCISCO -- International Data Group (IDG) has launched The Industry Standard (www.thestandard.com), an online-only publication that takes a new approach to editorial content, while also integrating a community-driven prediction market and social networking components. A one-time award winning publication known as "The Bible" of the Internet economy, IDG is bringing back The Industry Standard name 10 years after its initial launch with a highly interactive, Web-only format featuring content from notable thought leaders and industry pundits.

"The Industry Standard stands for trusted, insightful information on the Internet economy," said Vice President and General Manager Derek Butcher. "We are excited to create a new media format with a collective voice that maintains those same high standards, while charting an innovative course through today's rapidly evolving media landscape."

The Industry Standard is pioneering a new media platform featuring three main components: News/Analysis, Predictions and People. News/Analysis will consist of original content from a range of noted industry contributors. "No single voice will dominate the discussion, which is why we decided to forgo the somewhat print-centric idea of an editor in chief, despite talking to some great people for the position," said Managing Editor Ian Lamont. "We want readers to get viewpoints from the widest range of contributors possible, with the common theme being that these contributors are all people who believe that the Web is a major paradigm shift in business. We won't be cheerleaders for the Web. We'll get excited about the products, ideas and trends that make sense, and we'll be the first to take a critical view and ask the tough questions."

Dovetailing with the editorial content, the new Industry Standard will also feature a prediction market, which uses community input and proven algorithms to forecast events in the technology industry. Using mock currency, registered users place virtual "bets" corresponding to the occurrence of specific predictions. For example, a prediction might state, "Apple will ship 10 million iPhones by the end of 2008," or "High-tech venture funding will decrease by 15 percent in Q2 2008." As the community members place bets on a given prediction, the resulting market price of the prediction represents the community's consensus as to the probability of that event occurring.

"Prediction markets have shown a remarkable ability to forecast future events, in everything from politics to movie box office receipts, and are used internally at a number of high-tech firms including Google, HP and others to predict events from product launch dates to the price of important component parts," continued Butcher. "The prediction market is a natural complement to our diverse set of editorial voices, with each playing off the other to help readers get real insight into the online economy."

To learn more about The Industry Standard, visit http://www.thestandard.com.

About The Industry Standard

The Industry Standard is a one-stop online resource for the Internet professional to follow, understand and anticipate the key events shaping the online economy. The publication provides daily news coverage, in-depth editorial analysis and event forecasting for the online economy, using both traditional editorial and leading-edge community intelligence aggregation.

About International Data Group (IDG)

International Data Group (IDG) is the world's leading technology media, events, and research company. IDG's online network includes more than 450 web sites spanning business technology, consumer technology, digital entertainment and video games worldwide. IDG also publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers in 85 countries. IDG's media brands include CIO, CSO, Computerworld, GamePro, InfoWorld, Macworld, Network World, and PC World.

IDG is a leading producer of more than 750 technology-related events including Macworld Conference & Expo, LinuxWorld Conference & Expo, Entertainment for All Expo (E for All), DEMO, Storage Networking World, and IDC Directions. IDC, a subsidiary of IDG, is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events. Over 900 IDC analysts in more than 90 countries provide global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends.

Additional information about IDG, a privately held company, is available at http://www.idg.com.