On behalf of the Just Media team, we want to extend our thoughts and condolences to the IDG family after hearing the news of the passing of IDG & IDC Founder, Patrick J. McGovern.
You can read about the amazing life of this man here.
Last week I attended the “9th Annual IDG Marketing Summit” in Cupertino, CA, right in the heart of Silicon Valley. It was a gathering of a hundred or so senior-level marketers from dozens and dozens of leading tech companies, tech start-ups and agency-folk like ourselves. What compelled a community of individuals from the likes of Box, Boundary, Cisco, Fujitsu, HP, Intel, Juniper Networks, NetApp, NETGEAR, Polycom, Samsung and Tintri to gather? Simple…the thought-leadership of IDG.
From the article linked to above: “Over a span of 50 years, McGovern oversaw IDG’s launch of more than 300 magazines and newspapers and championed the expansion of IDG’s network to include more than 460 websites, 200 mobile apps and 700 events worldwide. Today, IDG brands are found in 97 countries and include PCWorld, Macworld, TechHive, Greenboot, CIO, CSO, Computerworld, GamePro, IDC, IDG Connect, IDG TechNetwork, IDG World Expo, InfoWorld, and Network World.”
That’s no small footprint. In world where many traditional media brands and companies have faded into the sunset (see Ziff Davis Enterprise, CMP Media, etc.), IDG has remained relevant and continued the entrepreneurial spirit that it’s founder established some 50 years ago. In a former life I was technology editor and tech brand publisher. I (admittedly) competed against IDG for many years. But I always had, and continue to have, respect for the organization. Pat McGovern’s legacy in this market spreads far-and-wide and his impact will continue to be felt in this market for many years to come.
On my drive home from IDG event, I reflected on the fact that it was really a reunion-like atmosphere. I don’t think anyone there could walk five feet without running into someone they knew. I ran into former employees, former bosses, current clients, past clients, vendor partners, you name it. Lots of laughs, holy-cow-how-have-you-beens, smiles, handshakes and hugs were exchanged. We all live in a very tight-knit marketing and media community. And the more time you spend in it, the more you realize it.
So, it was with a heavy heart that I learned of the news of Pat McGovern passing this morning, but yet a sense of pride that I’m part of something bigger — a community of professionals filled with passion, drive and, yes, many friendships. Thank you, Mr. McGovern, on behalf of everyone at Just Media, for playing such an extraordinary contribution in helping to make that happen.
Brandon Friesen
Just Media, Inc.
*NOTE: According to the IDG website, information about a memorial service will be forthcoming. Remembrances and condolences can be shared below or via email at rememberingpatmcgovern@idg.com.
