“IDG has lost a true visionary, and the IT community has lost one of its most exceptional citizens,” highlights recently elected IDG Board Chairman Walter Boyd, Patrick McGovern’s successor at the helm of International Data Group after the death from the last batch. “Pat’s main wish was for IDG to make the world a better place through information technology. He created a unique workplace, where we have an excellent leadership team that will ensure that the company he created will continue to grow and prosper. “
A career dedicated to information on Information Technology
Patrick Joseph McGovern, known as “Pat”, was born on August 11, 1937 in Queens (New York) and spent most of his childhood in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania). His publishing career began when he was a student at MIT and applied for a part-time job at Computers and Automation – America’s first computer magazine. Upon graduating from MIT in 1959 with a BA in Biophysics, he was appointed associate editor and later associate editor.
In 1964, with the computer industry still in its infancy, McGovern founded International Data Corporation (IDC®), now a subsidiary of IDG, to provide the industry with timely and reliable statistics on information technology markets. Three years later, McGovern launched Computerworld, a weekly print publication dedicated to keeping computer buyers up to date on industry news and products. Computerworld became IDG’s flagship publication, and in 1972, McGovern began exporting the Computerworld concept with the launch of Shukan Computer in Japan.
By “Think Global, Act Local,” a strategy that continues to guide IDG’s global expansion, McGovern ensured that the Japanese publication was not a clone of Computerworld. From the beginning, it was edited and managed by Japanese staff whose mission was to inform readers through a high-quality editorial producer adapted to the needs of the local market. “Thinking Global” is at the epicenter of McGovern’s growth strategy for IDG and explains its outstanding track record in identifying and opening new markets.
For 50 years, McGovern oversaw the launch of more than 300 IDG magazines and newspapers and led the expansion of the IDG network to include more than 460 websites, 200 mobile applications and 700 events globally. As of today, IDG brands can be found in 97 countries including CIO®, CSO®, Computerworld®, GamePro®, IDC, IDG Connect®, IDG TechNetwork, IDG World Expo, InfoWorld®, Macworld®, Network World®, PC World® and TechHive®.
Investment in China
In 1980, McGovern created one of the first joint ventures between an American company and one from the People’s Republic of China, and in 1992, IDG Technology Ventures was born, one of the first venture capital companies in China. In recognition of his great contribution to the Chinese information industry and venture capital field, McGovern was recognized with the International Investment Achievement Award at the CCTV 2007 China Economic Leadership Award ceremony in Beijing. It was the first time the award was presented to a foreign investor. The award ceremony was broadcast live nationwide on China Central Television (CCTV). McGovern traveled to China 130 times throughout his life.
Passion for neural research
On February 28, 2000, MIT created the McGovern Institute for Neural Research, made possible by a $ 350 million donation from McGovern and his wife, Lore Harp McGovern, one of the largest philanthropic donations in the history of higher education. The McGoverns conceived an institute whose ultimate goal was to understand the human brain in disease and death. Nobel laureate and MIT biology professor Phillip A. Sharp was appointed founding director, succeeded as director in 2004 by Robert Desimone. In the fall of 2005, the McGovern Institute moved into a large facility at MIT’s Neural and Cognitive Sciences Complex in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 2011, plans were announced to strengthen the institute’s collaboration with experts in China by creating three new IDG-McGovern Institutes at the centers of Tsinghua University, Peking University and Beijing Normal University.
“Pat and Lore inspired us all with their passion for understanding the brain and helping people with neuronal disorders,” Desimone said. “His gift made it possible for many new students and faculty to begin their research careers, and they personally encouraged each of them in every important discovery.” With the three new IDG-McGovern Institutes in China, Pat realized her dream of an international effort to develop a cure for the diseases that affect so many people. We will miss him tremendously. “
A life of recognition
In 2008, McGovern received the Robert L. Krakoff Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Business Media. In 2005, he was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Editors of American Magazines (MPA). In honor of IDG’s founder and President, the MPA said at the time that “Pat McGovern has combined his belief in the power of technology with his extensive knowledge of the publishing field to create a powerful company that is a leading global provider of news. , information and research in information technologies ”.
McGovern also received other industry awards such as the 2004 American Society of Business Publications Editors in recognition of a lifetime and the “Top Innovator in Business Publishing Award” from BtoB Media Business magazine.
He was also recognized with the James Smithsonian Bicentennial Medal from the Smithsonian Institution, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and the Entrepreneurial Leadership Award from the MIT Enterprise Forum, Cambridge, Inc. He was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Sciences, member of the MIT Corporation, Chairman of the Board of the MIT McGovern Institute for Neural Research and Director of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research.
Committed to the future success of IDG
IDG will remain a private company led by its current board of directors. Walter Boyd, former President of IDG, has been elected as Chairman of the IDG Board of Directors. Ted Bloom, current CFO of IDG, has been appointed as President and will continue to serve as CFO of IDG. Kirk Campbell, President and CEO of IDC, and Michael Friedenberg, CEO of IDG Communications Worldwide, will continue to lead their respective organizations.
“Pat always believed that each of IDG’s business units should function as independent companies, and that structure and process will continue,” says Bloom. “The best way for all of us to honor Pat is to continue to succeed with the structure he established 50 years ago.”
