Ziff Davis
In 1920, William Bernard Ziff Sr. established a Chicago advertising agency that secured national contracts for African American weekly newspapers. The company grew by acquiring E.C. Auld Company in 1923 and launching its first magazine venture shortly thereafter. This initial publication featured short stories and humorous verse before evolving into America's Humor by April 1926. Bernard George Davis joined the operation as editor after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh in 1927. He had previously served as student editor of the Pitt Panther humor magazine at his alma mater.
Ziff leveraged his World War I aviation experience to launch Popular Aviation in August 1927 through a newly formed publishing entity. Under Harley W. Mitchell's editorial direction, circulation reached 100,000 copies by 1929. The title underwent several name changes including Aeronautics in June 1929 before reverting to Popular Aviation in July 1930. By 1942, the magazine became Flying and continues publication today under Firecrown ownership. The company officially adopted the Ziff-Davis Publishing Company name in 1936 when Davis received equity interest and vice-presidency.
Davis expanded the portfolio further with Popular Photography starting in May 1937. His background as a photography enthusiast drove this new venture alongside existing titles. The partnership between Ziff and Davis solidified their position in early American magazine publishing during the late 1920s and early 1930s.
Early 1938 marked a significant acquisition when Ziff-Davis purchased Radio News and Amazing Stories from Hugo Gernsback's bankrupt Experimenter Publishing. These titles had declined following the 1929 bankruptcy but found renewed life under Ziff-Davis management starting with April 1938 issues. Radio News continued publication until 1972 while Amazing Stories remained a leading science fiction outlet through 1965. The company added Fantastic Adventures as a companion title that merged into Fantastic by 1954.
Ziff-Davis entered comic book production during the early 1950s using both its own name and Approved Comics branding. Jerry Siegel served as art director for the comics line while other notable creators included John Buscema, Sid Greene, Bob Haney, Sam Kweskin, Rudy Lapick, Richard Lazarus, Mort Leav, Paul S. Newman, George Roussos, Mike Sekowsky, Ernie Schroeder, and Ogden Whitney. Most titles lasted only a few issues before cancellation. In 1953, the company sold popular romance and Western titles to St. John Publications including Cinderella Love, Romantic Love, Kid Cowboy, and Wild Boy of the Congo.
G.I. Joe ran for 51 issues until 1957 when Ziff-Davis exited the comic business entirely. Bill Ziff Jr. returned from Germany following his father's death in 1953 to lead operations alone. Bernard Davis sold his share back to Ziff Jr. in 1958 to establish Davis Publications Inc. Under sole ownership, Bill Ziff Jr. transformed the company into an enthusiast magazine powerhouse with titles like Car and Driver and HiFi and Music Review which evolved into Stereo Review.
Ziff-Davis began technology-themed publications in 1954 with Popular Electronics and briefly Electronics World. This shift directly led to their interest in home computer magazines during the following decades. The company acquired PC Magazine in 1982 and MacWEEK trade journal in 1988 to strengthen its technology portfolio. By the 1980s and 1990s, titles such as Computer Shopper positioned Ziff Davis as the leading technology magazine business.
In 1984, the company sold most consumer magazines to CBS while retaining computer-focused publications. Trade magazines went to News Corporation during this strategic divestiture. The remaining computer magazines formed the core of what would become a major internet publishing enterprise. ZiffNet launched in 1991 as a subscription service offering computing information through CompuServe users. This digital initiative grew into ZDNet news website by late 1994.
The company expanded online presence further with Yahoo! Internet Life magazine in 1995 initially called ZD Internet Life. This publication complemented Yahoo.com's growing user base. The transition from print hobbyist magazines to digital technology media defined Ziff Davis identity throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
the 20th of August 1994 saw Ziff-Davis enter television broadcasting with The Personal Computing Show premiere on CNBC and America's Talking networks. Co-hosted by Jim Louderback and Gina Smith, the program demonstrated how to purchase and maintain personal computers for home users. A second show named PC Update followed in October 1994 hosted by Leo Laporte focusing on industry news. Gregory Jarboe stated the first show failed due to odd time slots and channel placement.
William Bernard Ziff Jr. planned succession through his sons Daniel, Dirk, and Robert but they declined responsibility. In October 1994 he announced selling the publishing group to Forstmann Little & Company for $1.4 billion while keeping a small television operation called ZD-TV as an asset. SoftBank purchased Ziff-Davis one year later. April 1996 brought establishment of ZDTV as a San Francisco-based unit producing television and internet broadcasts. Soledad O'Brien co-hosted The Site daily prime-time news show about technology's social effects which aired on MSNBC starting the 15th of July 1996.
the 6th of May 1997 marked announcement of plans to launch ZDTV as a 24-hour interactive cable network specializing in computers and internet content. The publisher invested $100 million behind the project targeting early 1998 debut. Initial programming included talk shows about technology impact, business evaluations of high-tech stocks, software reviews, and weekend children's content. Eleven charter advertisers joined including IBM, Gateway 2000, Microsoft, and Charles Schwab. Eric Hippeau cited increasing computer presence in homes as motivation for filling this programming niche.
ZDTV launched the 11th of May 1998 on cable systems in Las Vegas, Detroit, parts of Georgia near Atlanta, and sections of Maine. November saw Vulcan Ventures invest $54 million for 33 percent stake in the network. Despite critical acclaim, ZDTV struggled with carriage agreements due to eschewing typical launch fees ranging from $100 to $150 million offered by competing channels. AT&T/TCI lineups proved difficult to secure while profitability remained elusive throughout operations.
the 16th of July 1999 brought decision to sell company assets to reduce debt and boost share price. ZDTV went up for sale that same day. Trading began under ticker symbol ZDZ on the 21st of July 1999 on New York Stock Exchange. Vulcan completed purchase of remaining two-thirds shares the 21st of January 2000 worth $204.8 million allowing network retention of its name. The deal represented significant capital injection despite operational challenges faced since launch.
the 28th of January 2000 announced sale of tradeshow unit ZD Events alongside elimination of tracking stocks as part of restructuring efforts. Magazine division sold to Willis Stein & Partners L.P. for $780 million. CNET Networks agreed July 2000 to acquire Ziff-Davis Inc. for $1.6 billion in stock creating eighth-largest internet company at that time. the 5th of March 2008 saw Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing aimed at restructuring debt and operations before emerging after court-supervised process concluded July 2009.
the 4th of June 2010 marked acquisition announcement by former Time Inc. executive Vivek R. Shah backed by Boston private equity firm Great Hill Partners. Target was building new digital media company specializing content distribution for consumer buying decisions. Properties included PCMag.com, ExtremeTech, GearLog, GoodCleanTech, DLtv, AppScout, CrankyGeeks, Smart Device Central reaching over seven million monthly users. Shah purchased logicbuy.com, geek.com, computershopper.com, toolbox.com, and Focus Research which became Ziff Davis B2B Focus operating ITManagement.com, ITSecurity.com, VOIP-News.com and InsideCRM.com.
the 16th of November 2012 saw Great Hill sell company to J2 Global provider of cloud services for $175 million though actual payment reached $167 million all-cash deal. the 4th of February 2013 brought IGN Entertainment acquisition from News Corporation followed discontinuation of 1UP.com, UGO.com, and GameSpy.com sites focusing on flagship brands IGN and AskMen. Subsequent years added NetShelter display advertising network TechBargains.com aggregation site eMedia Communications Ookla Speedtest.net owner Offers.com online deals source Everyday Health Group Lifehacker Spiceworks professional IT network RetailMeNot aggregator The Skimm Well+Good Livestrong.
April 2021 announced split plans separating cloud fax business as Consensus while retaining media properties under new Ziff Davis Inc branding completed September 2021. August 2024 saw CNET acquisition from Red Ventures for $100 million regaining ZDNet ownership first time since 2000. the 21st of May 2024 reported IGN Entertainment acquired Gamer Network including GamesIndustry.biz Eurogamer Rock Paper Shotgun VG247 Dicebreaker plus shares in OutsideXbox Digital Foundry Hookshot owners NintendoLife PushSquare PureXbox Time Extension.
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Common questions
When did William Bernard Ziff Sr. establish the company that became Ziff Davis?
William Bernard Ziff Sr. established a Chicago advertising agency in 1920 that secured national contracts for African American weekly newspapers.
What magazines did Ziff-Davis publish during its comic book era from the early 1950s to 1957?
Ziff-Davis published titles such as G.I. Joe which ran for 51 issues until 1957 when the company exited the comic business entirely.
Who co-hosted The Personal Computing Show on CNBC and America's Talking networks starting in August 1994?
Jim Louderback and Gina Smith co-hosted The Personal Computing Show which premiered on the 20th of August 1994 to demonstrate how to purchase and maintain personal computers for home users.
On what date did ZDTV launch as a 24-hour interactive cable network specializing in computers and internet content?
ZDTV launched on the 11th of May 1998 on cable systems in Las Vegas, Detroit, parts of Georgia near Atlanta, and sections of Maine.
When did CNET Networks agree to acquire Ziff-Davis Inc for $1.6 billion in stock?
CNET Networks agreed in July 2000 to acquire Ziff-Davis Inc for $1.6 billion in stock creating the eighth-largest internet company at that time.