 PRESS RELEASE
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IDG´s InfoWorld Makes Sizable Investment in New Website to Improve Technology Buying Decisions
03/03/2003
SAN FRANCISCO, March 3, 2003 − InfoWorld Media Group, responsible for delivering award-winning technology and product news, research and analysis to the IT community for over 25 years, today announces a top-to-bottom redesign of its website (www.infoworld.com) that delivers added value to the professional IT community it serves.
With a substantial investment in both people and technology, the new site will help chief technologists, IT managers and IT buyers make complicated technology choices more efficiently in todays demanding economic climate.
Based on extensive research of both InfoWorld magazine subscribers and web site visitors, InfoWorld's team identified the four most valuable types of information technology buyers search for online: breaking news and analysis, independent product reviews, shared best practices among peers and aggregated information on specific technologies and products.
The new Infoworld.com is designed to leverage InfoWorld's investment in original content, including Test Center reviews−where products and technologies are analyzed in detail. InfoWorld's strong relationship with enterprise IT professionals is leveraged in part through a series of live discussions with well-known IT leaders in the site's new iDiscuss section. The next live iDiscuss forum is scheduled for March 7, 2003 at noon PST. Go to idiscuss.infoworld.com for more information.
For those technology experts in the product evaluation stage, Infoworld.com provides aggregated content on thirty-six product categories, now referred to as the TechIndex. The TechIndex includes topics such as security, web services and platforms−all with the aim of providing the IT professional drill down capabilities to find objective product information more quickly.
"The site investment represents our ongoing commitment to the needs of both InfoWorld readers and our advertising partners," said Kevin McKean, InfoWorld Media Group CEO & editorial director. "This redesign is the first step in a series of InfoWorld investments and refinements aimed at providing IT professionals with the most valuable, objective tools possible for making technology buying decisions."
In addition to improving navigation and interactivity for visitors, InfoWorld pays close attention to the needs of advertisers. With the new site design, InfoWorld moves "beyond the banner" in unveiling this innovative, yet tasteful new in-line ad unit (IAU). This new ad unit offers advertisers the ability to deliver targeted messages in a premium area, without alienating site visitors.
Not only did InfoWorld invest in research and a seasoned development team to launch the new Infoworld.com, but the organization invested in the latest technology as well. Emphasis was placed on deploying technologies that InfoWorld editorial staff actually cover.
"While the investment in the front-end is clear with our elegant new design, InfoWorld also made a substantial investment in a new 100% Linux backend that further enhances our scalability and site performance, something our leading-edge technology audience can appreciate," said Chad Dickerson, InfoWorld Media Group CTO. "We also implemented a next-generation content management system based on the latest XML and Java technologies."
A stellar lineup of online pros led the development effort, with resumes boasting senior leadership positions at CNN.com, Sports Illustrated.com, Disney, ESPN.com, ABCNEWS.com and Salon.com. The site enhancement, an effort that spanned the company at times, was made possible in part by San Francisco design company ISPOT.
For website advertising information, please contact John Murphy, Associate Publisher, Western Region, at 415-978-3107 or John_Murphy@infoworld.com.
About IDG's InfoWorld Media Group
For twenty-five years, InfoWorld Media Group has provided cutting-edge coverage and evaluation of IT products and services for technology experts in senior management. Through integrated channels including print, online and events, InfoWorld reaches the most influential senior technology experts − those who drive their enterprises' technology purchases. Powered by a continued investment in an independent Test Center, InfoWorld analysts and editors provide both hands-on analysis and evaluation, as well as expert commentary on issues surrounding emerging technologies and products.
About IDG
InfoWorld is a division of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research and event company. IDG publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers and offers online users the largest network of technology-specific sites around the world through IDG.net, which comprises more than 330 targeted Web sites in 80 countries. IDG is also a leading producer of 168 computer-related events worldwide, and IDG's research company, IDC, provides global market intelligence and advice through 51 offices in 43 countries worldwide. Company information is available at www.idg.com.
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