Ziff Davis Announces China Joint Venture and Launches the Chinese Edition of PC Magazine
Monday, 14 November 2005
Ziff Davis Media Inc. announced that it has formed an historic joint venture with SEEC Media Group Limited and that the parties have launched the #1 technology publication in the United States, PC Magazine, in the China market.
The 160-page debut issue of the Chinese edition of PC Magazine is now on newsstands in China. The Chinese edition of PC Magazine will be published monthly and will have an editorial mission identical to its counterpart in the United States, with the magazine being the definitive "independent guide to technology" and empowering technology buyers in China, especially professionals, to make educated and effective technology purchasing decisions.
"Ziff Davis searched over a year for the ideal partner to launch the Chinese edition of PC Magazine; a partner with a deep understanding of the business of publishing magazines and operating other media in China, who could assemble the highest caliber of local professionals to produce a world-class technology publication. We've found that partner in the SEEC Media Group, a Hong Kong listed public company that has a well-established reputation as a leading source of news and financial information in the greater China region," said Robert F. Callahan, Chairman and CEO, Ziff Davis Media.
"We're very excited about the launch of the Chinese edition of PC Magazine and believe the valuable news and information it supplies to readers is a perfect fit for the rapid expansion of technology manufacturing and IT spending that will continue to grow in the critical China market over the next decade."
Targeted at IT buyers who are high-volume spenders, early adopters and technology influencers, the Chinese edition of PC Magazine will cover all major product areas and topics, including desktop and notebook computers, printers, network equipment and servers, personal digital assistants, cell phones, MP3 players and digital cameras. A majority of the content and labs-based evaluations featured in the Chinese edition of PC Magazine will be written by local editorial staff.
The remaining content and product reviews will be supplied under license with Ziff Davis Media and will feature content from the U.S.-based PC Magazine. The joint venture between Ziff Davis Media and SEEC Media Group has created a lab in China modeled after the PC Magazine Labs in the United States.
The China lab will enable editors and analysts to test drive and compare the latest consumer and enterprise technology products coming on the market. The joint venture will also establish related online properties and integrated marketing capabilities, including the offering of live and online events. Moreover, Ziff Davis Media and SEEC Media Group may determine to launch Chinese editions of additional Ziff Davis Media magazines and services in the future.
PC Magazine is one of the most dominant and influential publications in the world, with editions in 39 countries and 15 languages. With the launch of the Chinese edition of PC Magazine, Ziff Davis has taken a significant step to further expand the international reach and influence of the magazine, strengthening its position as a worldwide leader in the consumer and enterprise technology publishing market.
Ziff Davis Media has plans to develop further international editions of the PC Magazine brand as well as other Ziff Davis media operations in order to provide technology marketers with additional integrated marketing capabilities in foreign markets.