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Ziff Davis

From Alfawiki
Ziff Davis, Inc.
Company typePublic
IndustryDigital media, Internet services
Founded1927
FounderWilliam Bernard Ziff Sr., Bernard George Davis
Headquarters
New York City
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Vivek R. Shah (CEO)
ProductsMedia platforms (technology and healthcare), online retail solutions, internet connectivity, gaming and entertainment brands, cybersecurity, marketing technology (martech) products
ParentZiff Davis, Inc. (formerly J2 Global)
Websitewww.ziffdavis.com

Ziff Davis, Inc. is a United States-based company specializing in digital media and internet services, originally established in 1927 by William Bernard Ziff Sr. and Bernard George Davis. The firm concentrates on media platforms related to technology and healthcare, online retail solutions, internet connectivity, gaming and entertainment brands, as well as cybersecurity and marketing technology (martech) products. Initially recognized mainly for its hobbyist magazine publications, Ziff Davis has transformed into a multifaceted digital media enterprise, heavily leveraging acquisitions to fuel expansion and increase its market presence.

History

The origins of the company trace back to William B. Ziff Sr., who managed the William B. Ziff Company publishing house, partnering with Bernard Davis. Following Ziff Sr.'s passing in 1953, his son, William B. Ziff Jr., returned from Germany to assume leadership. In 1958, Bernard Davis divested his stake to Ziff Jr., founding Davis Publications, while the "Ziff-Davis" brand name remained with the original company.

Initially, Ziff Davis concentrated on producing hobbyist magazines focused on technical hobbies such as automobiles, photography, and electronics. From the 1980s onward, the emphasis shifted predominantly toward computer-related periodicals and websites, evolving into an internet information provider.

In October 1994, the private equity firm Forstmann Little & Company acquired Ziff Davis for $1.4 billion. At that time, the company included a modest TV operation based in Foster City known as "ZD-TV". On July 21, 1999, Ziff Davis became publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "ZDZ".

During the mid-1970s, Ziff Davis owned broadcast stations and later operated the technology-focused network ZDTV, which was rebranded as TechTV before being sold to Vulcan Ventures in 2001. The company's publishing and internet divisions have been headquartered in locations including New York City, Massachusetts, and San Francisco.

On January 6, 2009, Ziff Davis divested its gaming website 1UP.com to Hearst's UGO Entertainment and discontinued Electronic Gaming Monthly.

In June 2010, former executive from Time Inc., Vivek R. Shah, supported by private equity firm Great Hill Partners, acquired Ziff Davis with a vision to develop a digital media company centered on consumer purchasing decisions.

On November 12, 2012, cloud services provider J2 Global purchased Ziff Davis for $167 million. By 2014, Ziff Davis accounted for approximately 30% of J2 Global’s $600 million annual revenue with annual growth rates between 15% and 20%; industry analysts valued the business at $1.9 billion.

In April 2021, J2 Global announced plans to spin off its cloud services division as Consensus. Following shareholder approval in September 2021, J2 Global retained its media assets and VPN offerings while adopting the Ziff Davis name and "ZD" stock ticker—effectively transforming the original acquisition into a reverse merger.

Popular Aviation

The William B. Ziff Company, founded in Chicago in 1920 as an advertising agency, secured national advertising contracts with companies such as Procter & Gamble for African American weekly newspapers. In 1923, the company expanded into publishing by acquiring E. C. Auld Company and launching Ziff's Magazine, which was renamed America's Humor in 1926.

Bernard George Davis—an alumnus of the University of Pittsburgh and former humor magazine editor—joined Ziff in 1927 as editor of America's Humor. That same year, drawing on Ziff’s World War I aviation experience, they introduced Popular Aviation through Popular Aviation Publishing Company based in Chicago. Under editor Harley W. Mitchell’s leadership, it became the leading aviation magazine in the U.S., reaching a circulation of 100,000 by 1929. The publication was renamed Aeronautics in 1929 under Aeronautical Publications, Inc., but reverted to Popular Aviation in 1930. It later evolved into Flying in 1942 and continues publication today by Bonnier Corporation—marking over nine decades of continuous presence.

Although company histories often identify 1927—coinciding with Davis’s arrival and Popular Aviation's debut—as its founding year, Ziff-Davis Publishing Company was formally established in 1936. At that time, Davis obtained a significant minority ownership stake and served as vice-president and director before becoming president in 1946. He also launched the prominent Popular Photography magazine in 1937 reflecting his enthusiasm for photography and broadening the company's publishing scope.

Fictional works, hobbyist titles and bridal magazines

In early 1938, Ziff-Davis acquired Radio News and Amazing Stories, both initially created by Hugo Gernsback but diminished after the bankruptcy of Experimenter Publishing in 1929. The company revitalized these publications; Radio News continued until 1972 and led to the launch of Popular Electronics (1955–1985). The science fiction staple Amazing Stories was supported by Fantastic Adventures, which merged into Fantastic in 1954. These fiction magazines remained part of Ziff-Davis’s portfolio from the 1940s through the mid-1960s.

During the early 1950s, Ziff-Davis entered comic book publishing under its own name and through Approved Comics, focusing on genres like horror, crime, sports, romance, and Western themes rather than superheroes. Key contributors included Jerry Siegel, co-creator of Superman who also served as art director for their comics line; artists such as John Buscema and Bob Haney were involved as well. By 1953, most comic titles were sold to St. John Publications, though they continued publishing G.I. Joe until 1957.

With Bill Ziff Jr. becoming sole proprietor in 1958—a multifaceted leader known for strategic vision—the company transitioned toward enthusiast magazines targeting hobbyists and procurement professionals to recapture advertising revenue lost by general-interest outlets. Influential acquisitions included titles like Car and Driver, alongside ventures into high-fidelity audio with HiFi and Music Review (later renamed Stereo Review), photography publications, boating magazines, and bridal titles such as Modern Bride. Editor Cele Goldsmith Lalli notably advanced bridal magazine development after moving from science fiction editing roles.

Throughout the ’70s and ’80s, Ziff-Davis capitalized on rising interest in electronics and computing with leading technology publications including PC Magazine, Popular Electronics, and Computer Shopper, solidifying its position as a technology media leader.

In 1984, Ziff Davis streamlined operations by divesting most consumer magazines to CBS and trade magazines to News Corporation, retaining core computer magazine assets to reinforce its dominance in technology publishing.

Broadcast television stations

In 1979, Ziff Davis broadened its scope by acquiring television stations previously owned by Rust Craft Greeting Card Company. This portfolio included NBC affiliates WROC-TV (Rochester, NY) and WRCB-TV (Chattanooga, TN); CBS affiliates WEYI-TV (Saginaw, MI), WRDW-TV (Augusta, GA), WTOV-TV (Steubenville, OH); plus ABC affiliate WJKS-TV (Jacksonville FL), which switched affiliation to NBC post-acquisition. By the mid-1980s these stations were sold off: most to Television Station Partners except WRCB (sold to Sarkes Tarzian) and WJKS (acquired by Media General).

Market Station Channel Ownership Period Current Affiliation/Owner
Jacksonville, FL WJKS-TV 17 1979–1982 Now The CW affiliate WCWJ under Graham Media Group
Augusta, GA WRDW-TV 12 1979–1983 CBS affiliate owned by Gray Television
Saginaw–Flint, MI WEYI-TV 25 1979–1983 NBC affiliate operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group via Howard Stirk Holdings
Rochester, NY WROC-TV 8 1979–1983 CBS affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
Steubenville-Wheeling OH-WV WTOV-TV 9 1979–1983 NBC affiliate owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group
Chattanooga TN WRCB-TV 3 1979–1982 NBC affiliate owned by Sarkes Tarzian Inc.

Technology publications and digital assets

Ziff Davis entered technology publishing with Popular Electronics launched in 1954 along with a brief involvement with Electronics World, eventually focusing on home computing magazines. It purchased PC Magazine in 1982 followed by trade journal MacWEEK in 1988. In 1991 it introduced ZiffNet—a subscription computing service via CompuServe—that evolved into ZDNet website by 1994. Additionally launched was Yahoo! Internet Life magazine in 1995.

Founder William Bernard Ziff Jr.’s intention was to pass ownership to his sons Daniel, Dirk, and Robert; however they declined involvement leading to sale of the company to Forstmann Little & Company for $1.4 billion in 1994 followed by SoftBank acquisition in 1995.

In 1998 Ziff Davis launched technology TV channel ZDTV; between late ’90s - early ’00s SoftBank divested ZDTV to Paul Allen’s Vulcan Inc., which rebranded it TechTV while spinning off print assets including ZD magazine division sold for $780 million to Willis Stein & Partners. In July 2000 CNET Networks acquired Ziff-Davis Inc., paying $1.6 billion stock consideration creating one of then-largest internet firms.

Since 2004,Ziff Davis has hosted DigitalLife—a public trade exhibition held annually in New York City—highlighting consumer electronics along with gaming & entertainment innovations.

In November of 2006 declining demand amid digital distribution trends led to discontinuation of Official PlayStation Magazine, which had debuted in ’97.

Ziff Davis Media Inc.

Formed in 2001 by Willis Stein & Partners along with former CEO James Dunning,Ziff Davis Media Inc acquired domain assets from CNET Networks Inc., gaining online editorial rights for eleven publications including flagship titles like PC Magazine, CIO Insight, and eWEEK.

In July of ’07,Ziff Davis Media divested its enterprise-focused B2B segment—including ‘’eWeek’’, Baseline,and CIO Insight—and associated web properties to Insight Venture Partners; this became independent entity Ziff Davis Enterprise Group (ZDE).

On March 5th 2008,ZDM filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection aiming at debt restructuring; it emerged from bankruptcy court supervision by July 2009 during which print edition of ‘’PC Magazine’’ was discontinued.An ad hoc group of noteholders injected $24.5 million capital supporting operational continuity during restructuring phase.

Acquisition by Great Hill Partners

Boston-based private equity firm Great Hill Partners partnered with online media executive Vivek Shah acquiring control over ZDM June 2010.At that time,the portfolio encompassed PCMag.com alongside tech sites ExtremeTech,GearLog,and others reaching over seven million monthly users.

Under Shah’s leadership,ZDM pursued aggressive expansion via acquisitions including logicbuy.com geek.com computershopper.com toolbox.com,and Focus Research—a specialist firm delivering online enterprise buyer insights lead generation services for IT vendors through platforms like ITManagement.com InsideCRM.com.Rebranded as ‘’Ziff Davis B2B Focus’’,it operated independently within corporate structure.

Sale to J2 Global

On November 16th 2012,ZDM was sold by Great Hill Partners to cloud services provider J2 Global for $167 million cash—approximately multiples of projected revenue for fiscal year 2013.

Early February 2013,ZDM acquired IGN Entertainment from News Corporation shortly thereafter retiring legacy sites such as 1UP.com,UGO.com,and GameSpy.com, refocusing efforts on flagship brands IGN & AskMen.

During subsequent years,ZDM enhanced digital advertising/deal aggregation capabilities acquiring NetShelter from ImPowered alongside TechBargains.com; later purchases included eMedia Communications from Reed Business Information plus Ookla owner of Speedtest.net service.

2015 saw addition of Offers.com coupon/deal platform.In October 2016 acquisition agreement completed for Everyday Health, expanding health-related content offerings.

In 2017,ZDM purchased digital media company Mashable for $50 million intending content growth plus operational restructuring aimed at increasing search traffic profitability.

By 2018,ZDM reached audience exceeding117 million globally across115 countries featuring60 international editions primarily via partnerships sharing content management systems.Local partners also hosted events such as IGN Convention Middle East enhancing regional presence.

November 2018 employees from Mashable PCMag AskMen Geek.com formed union under NewsGuild New York; ‘’Ziff Davis Creators Guild’’ ratified first contract June 2021 reflecting evolving labor relations within digital media sector.

Growth continued through acquisitions: Spiceworks professional IT network acquired 2019; RetailMeNot coupon aggregator purchased $420 million 2020 expanding e-commerce footprint across multiple platforms.

Separation from J2 Global,rebranding revival

April 2021,J2 Global announced split forming two publicly traded companies: cloud fax business named Consensus while retaining media assets.J2 rebranded as ‘’Ziff Davis Inc.’’ September following shareholder approval.Vivek Shah remained CEO emphasizing brand’s distinguished legacy amid ongoing digital evolution.

In 2023,ZDM expanded portfolio acquiring Lifehacker from G/O Media.Early 2024 employees at IGN formed union recognized voluntarily illustrating progressive corporate labor policies.

May 21st 2024 saw IGN Entertainment acquire Gamer Network from ReedPop gaining multiple assets including GamesIndustry.biz Eurogamer Rock Paper Shotgun VG247 Dicebreaker plus stakes outsideXbox Digital Foundry.August acquisition of CNET from Red Ventures valued at $100 million marked return ownership over ZDNet first time since early millennium.

Early 2025 reports indicated strategic removal Diversity Equity Inclusion content amid political pressures.Subsequent acquisitions included The Skimm March followed by Well+Good Livestrong purchases July both from Graham Holdings demonstrating ongoing portfolio strengthening via targeted deals reinforcing digital media market influence.


Properties

Current

Divested

  • DeveloperShed.com
  • eSeminars (sold to QuinStreet)
  • Electronic Gaming Monthly (returned to founder Steve Harris)
  • FileFront
  • GameTab.com
  • GameVideos.com
  • Linux-Watch (sold to QuinStreet)
  • LinuxDevices.com (sold to QuinStreet)
  • Microsoft Watch (sold to QuinStreet)
  • MyCheats.com
  • PDF Zone (sold to QuinStreet)
  • Publish (sold to QuinStreet)

Discontinued

  • 1Up.com
  • A+ Magazine
  • Computer Gaming World
  • Creative Computing
  • GameNOW
  • Games for Windows: The Official Magazine
  • GameSpy (formerly part of IGN Network)
  • GameTrailers
  • Geek.com
  • GMR (magazine)
  • MacUser US Edition (1985–1997)
  • Microsystems magazine
  • Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine
  • Patch Management
  • PC Magazine – continues exclusively online
  • PC/Computing formerly known as Ziff-Davis Smart Business
  • Small Business Center
  • Sm@rt Partner
  • UGO Networks
  • Vault Network
  • Windows Sources
  • Xbox Nation
  • Yahoo! Internet Life
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